Newcomer to the Close Protection field, advice very much appreciated

MrBlonde said:
As others have said, you're one of the few newcomers who actually look like you might make it.

While you do the DS and event work etc, get the following three books and do some reading.
Whatever CP course you pick (and come back for some help with that one), and no matter how good it is, they can't cover everything.
The below are a great read, give you a huge amount of insight and will provide great reference material for the future, plus you can 'learn a bit' ahead of doing the course.

Richard Aitch's "CP Book" - you'll have to google it, can't link it
Close Protection: The Softer Skills: Amazon.co.uk: Geoffrey Padgham, Bill Mevin: Books

Surveillance Detection is another vital skill for CP and often overlooked or at least skirted-around on courses.
The below is another great read and having a general overview of how someone conducts surveillance will help you spot someone planning an attack - Peter also runs some great courses too.
Surveillance Manual - ISS Training Ltd

Good luck
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http://www.**************/

Guess the link to his site is blocked.

http://www.amazon.com/Close-Protection-Closer-Observation-Equation/dp/0957207506
 
That's great guys, thanks!

I've ordered each and every one. Looks like I'll be reading a lot in the coming months, which I enjoy anyway. Thanks for the recommendations, these books look very interesting.
 
Gio1 said:
That's great guys, thanks!

I've ordered each and every one. Looks like I'll be reading a lot in the coming months, which I enjoy anyway. Thanks for the recommendations, these books look very interesting.
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I think CPW has a Youtube channel where they do story time with these books.
 
Hi as an employer of cpos let me say great first post and what a refreshing change. You are slightly mislead by believing hostile work is better paid than corporate CP work these days.
Can I suggest you also look at languages as a skill if you dont speak any other than English then you may want to consider doing a language course. I am often looking for CPOs that have a particular language skill.

Also consider doing a survielance course as a lot of work crosses this road, protective surv and such like.
Knowing London and learning the whereabouts of the usual 5 star hotels and upmarket shops is also a must.

The various terminals at various london airports helps along with a recognised advanced driving course, and last but not least make sure you do your course with an industry recognised training provider and not some £999 10 day course.
Dont bother with firearms courses you cant use them in the UK and most of Europe.
Finaly let me know how you get on.
Excuse the spelling its late and im shattered

fbg
 
fbg said:
Hi as an employer of cpos let me say great first post and what a refreshing change. You are slightly mislead by believing hostile work is better paid than corporate CP work these days.
Can I suggest you also look at languages as a skill if you dont speak any other than English then you may want to consider doing a language course. I am often looking for CPOs that have a particular language skill.

Also consider doing a survielance course as a lot of work crosses this road, protective surv and such like.
Knowing London and learning the whereabouts of the usual 5 star hotels and upmarket shops is also a must.

The various terminals at various london airports helps along with a recognised advanced driving course, and last but not least make sure you do your course with an industry recognised training provider and not some £999 10 day course.
Dont bother with firearms courses you cant use them in the UK and most of Europe.
Finaly let me know how you get on.
Excuse the spelling its late and im shattered

fbg
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Firstly, thank you very much for your advice. This kind of information is priceless.

Your post really resonates with me and I'm more convinced than ever that Close Protection is my future. I'm a very "international" person, having lived in 5 capital cities (London, Rome, Lima, Moscow and Paris) throughout my life and have been lucky enough to learn all five languages. I'm fluent in English, Italian and Spanish, I'd say I'm at an intermediate level in French and with some brushing-up, I could easily bring my Russian back to intermediate. I lived in Russia from the age of 10 to 15, so I'm a bit rusty, but I can still confidently read and write Cyrillic.

A surveillance course is right up my alley, I'm very interested in that side of CP work. My impression was that a reputable CPO course will cover the necessary areas of surveillance, but I'd be happy to delve deeper into that aspect of the training by undertaking some additional courses.

As for knowing London inside-out, I've lived here a total of 18 years (at different stages in my life) so I'd be hard pressed to tell you a single area of London that I haven't spent some time in.. As for the more upmarket areas of London, I also know them extremely well, including the hotels, the shops, the restaurants and so on. Coincidentally, my girlfriend works for one of the more high-end brands in Mayfair too. She says she sees CPOs accompanying her clients all the time.

Anyway, I'm more determined than ever now, I'm 100% convinced I've chosen the right path and I will most definitely let you know how I get on. Thanks again for your post.

edit:

I realised I hadn't addressed all the points in your post.

I will make sure to choose a CPO course that has all the necessary industry approvals, I'll undoubtedly come here for advice when I have a shortlist of courses.

An advanced driving course also sounds like something I'd be very interested in. That's one element I like about CP work, you never stop learning and specialising in the different aspects of this field. Every day is a new challenge and that's what I need.

Again, thank you.
 
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Hello everyone, I'm posting to give you a quick update as promised.

After quite a lot of research and some great advice from this forum, I've booked myself on a very reputable Close Protection + FPOS course starting the 1st September here in London. I'll spend the next few months getting ready for it, reading all the books you suggested and getting as fit as possible in the gym.

I want to thank each and every one of you for your contributions to this thread and for pointing me in the right direction with your advice.

I'll update this thread with any news or developments.

Thanks again.
 
Hello all,

Just thought I'd give you an update of my situation.

I successfully completed a very good Close Protection course with a highly reputable company. It was truly one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. According to my instructors I seem to have done very well for a "civvy" lol, especially in the areas of surveillance, counter-surveillance, threat detection, risk assessment and risk management.

I am now in the middle of the extremely tedious process of applying for my SIA licence.

When I do have my licence, I'll begin to get in touch with all the contacts I made during the course and start sending out CVs.

Thanks again to all of you for your advice. I began this journey with a lot of enthusiasm, but little to no knowledge of what lay ahead and I can now say that I feel 100% ready to enter the industry.
 
Gio1
read your posts with interest,you seem to have the attributes required and know that you have finished your course its time to start learning how to operate on a one on one or within a team structure,you won't start to acquire this knowledge until your first day on your first job that will determine how you progress to day two and your position within the team,this then will determine whether you can cut the mustard and progress accordingly within your skill set ! you should be able to determine the direction you take within this industry due to the added bonus of your language skills, Good Luck.,
 
counterforceslt said:
Gio1
read your posts with interest,you seem to have the attributes required and know that you have finished your course its time to start learning how to operate on a one on one or within a team structure,you won't start to acquire this knowledge until your first day on your first job that will determine how you progress to day two and your position within the team,this then will determine whether you can cut the mustard and progress accordingly within your skill set ! you should be able to determine the direction you take within this industry due to the added bonus of your language skills, Good Luck.,
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Thank you very much. You're 100% right, I need to find my place within the security industry. I already have quite a clear idea of what my strengths and weaknesses are, so that should help to guide me towards my role.

Thanks for the encouraging post.
 
TMAC said:
Well done mate, delighted for you.
Drop me a mail when you have a chance, think we exchanged emails?
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Hi TMAC!!! Thank you! Passing the course was one of the proudest moments of my life. Thank you so much for all the positive and constructive advice you gave me, which ultimately led to where I am now.

I don't think I have your email, I gave you mine though. Maybe send me an email so I can write back. I'll send you my address again via PM just in case.
 
Nomad said:
Gio1, I saw this post and wondered how it worked out for you? Like you I didn't have a military or police background but did OK.

Are you still in security?
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Worked out great! I started working almost immediately after finishing the course. I'm now on my 3rd CP badge and going strong.

The course prepared me very well for what came after. Still thankful to TMAC for pointing me in the right direction.
 
Gio1 said:
Worked out great! I started working almost immediately after finishing the course. I'm now on my 3rd CP badge and going strong.

The course prepared me very well for what came after. Still thankful to TMAC for pointing me in the right direction.
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That's brilliant and shows what is possible with a positive attitude and great training :)
 
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