littlewoman
Longterm Registered User
A DS course may not cover running an ops room, doing recces etc. but that doesn't mean that they don't have experience doing it. DS work at festivals and other events and some of them will have experience of running ops rooms and doing site recce's.The usual idea of a Residential Security Team isn't just to provide "blokes" at a residence to provide a visible deterrent. There are certain responsibilities that an RST must carry out, usually as part of the bigger Close Protection Team. With the RST being part of the CPT, there needs to be constant interaction. In many cases, the RST is also maintaing an "Ops Room", relaying information to from the House Staff / TL / BG etc.
A DS course doesn't provide the sufficient training or knowledge that covers these aspects.
I have also been RST on a job, then I have had to go on the CPT due to circumstances of one of the team. I have also had to conduct recce reports, route recce's etc for the CPT's next serial. Again, do DS have the ability to do this and step up where needed? Short answer is NO.
Cutting back on CP licensed personnel can / will bite companies in the arse, should unforeseen circumstances happen. Do it properly from the start.
If DS want to progress in to CP, then go and get on a good CP course and get CP licensed. Then apply for as many RST jobs as possible and gain some experience and progress on to the CPT. Or, as in my circumstance, you may find yourself needed at the last minute and get your big break.
This is why I asked before "What experience is it you think RST need." Some people seem to think that all DS ever do is stand on the door or inside a pub or club. Many will also do SG on all sorts of sites, work at events and festivals, sometimes working alongside other teams such as CP teams, other DS or SG teams and the police. So they are used to co-operating with other teams and passing on necessary information. They may also have experience of sites that are bigger and more complex than any RST they'll ever be likely to do.
Also, I doubt many on a CP course will actually run an ops room, they may be taught radio procedure but that doesn't mean they're good at it.
Its a matter of looking at the experience they have rather than just what badge they have.