Page 4 - MAGAZINE

AM TACTICAL JANUARY 2019

Close Protection

The Softer Skills

GOLDEN RULES OF CLOSE PROTECTION

I Protectio
n Close

n it isn’t
i m p o s s i b l e t o
detail all the
rules, regulations,
c o m p e t e n c i e s ,
c o m p e t e n c e s ,
d i r e c t i o n ,
g u i d a n c e ,
techniques, drills,
issues, procedures, џ Always be punctual ( At least 15 minutes early)
p r o c e s s e s a n d џ Be immaculately and appropriately dressed
s t r u c t u r e s t o џ Do not out-dress the Principal
g u a r a n t e e a n џ Always maintain the highest standards of personal hygiene
individual is a џ Be tactful and diplomatic
successful Close џ Maintain a calm and confident temperament
P r o t e c t i o n џ Be professional at all times
Operative. However, џ Remember you are a Close Protection Operative, not a servant
this article should џ Blend in and be anonymous as the grey man or woman
be viewed as a џ If you think you are in the wrong place, you probably are
‘one-stop shop’ to џ If you think you have said the wrong thing, you probably have
g i v e y o u s o m e џ Give the Principal space whenever possible
instant CP guidance џ Generally, speak when spoken to
to prevent you from џ Silence is golden
making the most џ Don’t lie, be honest and don’t waffle
common mistakes. By џ Don’t make idle and silly conversation
following these џ Don’t overtly ‘listen’ to private conversations
rules, you are џ Practice a ‘no news’ is ‘good news’ policy
likely to secure a џ Be prepared, or you must be prepared to fail
job, keep a job and џ Be forward thinking – one step ahead of the game
i m p r e s s t h e џ Time spent on reconnaissance is never wasted
P r i n c i p a l a n d џ Always be prepared to communicate, negotiate and compromise
everyone you come џ Practice empathetic assertiveness
into contact with. џ Generally, if the Principal leaves late, then they arrive late
Here are the rules џ Be assertive and decisive when necessary
which Geoffrey џ Be prepared to justify decisions
Padgham consider to џ No crude jokes or inappropriate humour with the Principal or staff
be vital to the CP џ No swearing
o p e r a t i v e : џ Do not lose your temper as you instantly lose the argument
џ Avoid the over-familiarity trap
џ Always maintain a professional relationship with the Principal
Geoffrey Padgham MVO
џ Try to avoid discussing politics and religion
The text was taken џ Relax, or if you cannot relax – look like you are relaxed!
from Geoff’s book
‘Close Protection – џ Be yourself
The Softer Skills’. џ Enjoy the job