Close protection

Close protection, often better known as bodyguarding, is a security discipline where an individual or group of people are protected against physical harm or unwanted attention. Close protection is a licensable activity, and requires the most in-depth and specialist training out of all SIA roles. Close protection operatives, or CPOs as they are better known, generally – but not always – have a military or policing background, either in the UK or their home countries. Veterans from special forces and other elite units such the Parachute Regiment, Royal Marine Commandos, and Royal Military Police’s Close Protection Unit (RMP CPU) are some of the most in-demand CPOs, both in the UK and abroad in hostile environments.

Good CPOs and security managers understand that protecting their principals involves far more than an accompanying posse of human shields. When done well, CP comes down to exhaustive planning, intelligence gathering, and risk management. A security operations planner’s ability to identify and mitigate potential risks and vulnerabilities is where most of the CP work is, which is one of the reasons why military veterans are so well suited to this line of work.

Close protection can be as overt, low-profile, or even covert as necessary based on operational demands and a client or principal’s preferences. Our special forces-lead close protection division has years of experience in overt and lower-profile work, and have protected a diverse range of principals in commercial, family, and hostile environments. To enquire about our close protection and bodyguarding services, please email info@protectiondogs.co.uk.