Dignitary Protection 101

An introduction to protective service

operations, terms and procedures

Purpose
The successful protection detail favors the use of proactive measures
to avoid the confrontation, while maintaining a reactive capability in
the form of good plans, procedures and training to aid in escaping the
confrontation.
You must take a proactive approach to protection details .
The vast majority of organized attacks are successful
The bodyguards usually die
The bodyguards rarely fire their guns effectively, if at all
The bodyguards gunfire almost never affects the outcome of the attack

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Identifying the threat level

The perceived threat on the principal will determine
the type of protective detail and countermeasures used.
Political Candidate/Dignitary/Celebrity
What does he or she represent
Issues and stands
Prior actions against the individual
Current threat data

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Operations

Route Selection
Site Security
Communications
Intelligence
Traffic
Hospital Surveys
Luggage Security

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Close Proximity
Personnel
Fixed Posts
Motorcades
Command Post
Aerial Support
Counter snipers

Terminology and Definitions

Advance Survey

General terms applied to all security activities, plans

and arrangements made prior to and in connection
with the visit of the principal to a given area

Route Survey

The selection of primary and alternate routes of

travel for the principal, and the measures taken to
make the route secure for travel

Site Survey

The investigation and resultant plans of security for a

given location. Generally involves all the security
measures taken at a place to be visited by the
principal. Examples would be a hotel, mall, speech
sites, etc.

Secure Area

Any area/location that has been surveyed, cleared of

unauthorized persons, is technically secure and is
continuously secure by establishing post assignments
prior to use

Terminology and Definitions

Security Room

The immediate control center for a specific detail or

location, such as in a hotel room, principals
residence, etc. To be used by Officers not on post
but involved in the protection detail.

Security Post

An area of responsibility established to form a part of

the security network. This may be fixed or mobile
and there are generally three types; Surveillance,
Check point and Special Assignment.

Holding Room

Secure room at the visit site, usually a private room

set aside for the principals privacy and convenience.
Also used to hold the principal in the event of a
problem and exiting is not an immediate option.

Motorcade

A formally organized group of vehicles traveling

along a specific route in a controlled formation

Terminology and Definitions

Recon Car

A marked cruiser which precedes the motorcade by

approximately mile scanning the route for dangers,
obstructions and problem areas

Lead Car

The vehicle immediately preceding the motorcade

occupied by the team leader, advance man and local
officers.

Principals Car

The vehicle designated to carry the principal

Follow Up car

Protective services vehicle always immediately

following the principal.

PI Car

Vehicle carrying protective intelligence teams. The

teams are responsible for responding to and resolving
any issues or activities along the route which may
involve possible threats or disruptions.

Terminology and Definitions

Detail Leader

Senior protective detail person in overall charge of

the protective services function.

Shift Leader

Protective Detail Officer in charge of personnel on a

given shift

Site Leader

Detail Officer in charge of a particular location. Is

responsible for setting up all security posts,
conducting roll call and maintaining overall control
of the site prior to the principals arrival

Intel

Detail officers in area watching area reporting any

suspicious persons or activity

Close Proximity
Recommended
Minimum 5 to 6 person
team
Protect left side of the
principal
Point man should have the
principal in his peripheral
view 50% of the time
Attempt to block the path
of the attacker

Do not let the principal

enter a doorway first
In hallways keep the
principal in the center
Keep the principal away
from doorways, alcoves,
etc
Move towards the attacker
not away

Close Proximity
During an assault
Push the principal to the
ground
Cover the principal
Push the principal into the
crowd
Evacuate the principal to
the limo or safe room
within the building or
leave the building

Id the problem and take

action if within arms reach
Use handshake release
Apply pressure to wrist
joint and pull up on the
thumb
Block items being thrown
Protect the principal

Close Proximity
Assault Situations
There are four primary
considerations during an
assault
Arms Reach situations
Take action

Sound off Situations

First man who sees problem
sounds off
Id problem and use simple
terms, ex. Gun, knife

Cover considerations
Have principal squat
DL and SL close and
cover principal
Evacuation considerations
Move to limo
Move to holding room
Move to safe location away
from problem

Working the Principal

Overall Mission
Prevent injury, embarrassment, kidnapping,
assignation and safe guard the principals schedule
Brief the principal
Make sure the principal knows how the protective
detail works
The primary function of the detail is security and is not a
matter or convenience to the principal
He/She will follow all orders given by Shift leader in the
event of an emergency

Working the Principal

Dress
Conservative dress
Dark colors
Bright colors are distracting and draw attention

Well tailored jacket

Tailored to allow concealment of weapon and easy access

Comfortable shoes with rubber soles

Working the Principal

Demeanor
General
Do not smoke
Do not chew gum
Do not engage the principal in conversation unless
initiated by the principal (does not apply to the Shift
Leader)
Maintain a uniform attitude of professionalism

Working the Principal

Demeanor
General

Keep handcuffs and weapons discreetly secured

Refer any problems to the Detail Leader
Stay alert and ready for any problems
Remember your primary objective is to protect the
principal. Do nothing to comprise the security of the
principal, yet utilize tact, discretion and common sense

Formations
Double Ring Concept
The Outer ring:
Intelligence, Crowd Attitude
Alert for Threat, Reaction
P

The Inner Ring:

Arms Reach Concept,
Close Proximity

Formations
5 Man Wedge Formation
1
SL

Formations
5 Man Diamond Formation
1
2

SL
4

Formations
5 Man Hallway Formation
1
2
SL

P
3
4

Formations
4 Man Wedge Formation
1
SL
2

P
3

Formations
Three Man Diagonal Formation
1
SL

2
Generally used for mid level Dignitaries, etc

Formations
Two Man Formation

1
SL

Generally used for low level Dignitaries, etc

Arrivals and Departures

DL

SL

2
Lead car

D
Principals car

4
Follow up car

Each position has a specific task:

The Detail Leader DL calls the check points while
the motorcade is moving
# 1 is usually the only shooter if needed
The Drivers D always stay with the vehicles
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Arrivals and Departures

Each position has a specific task upon arrival to the
location:

DL

SL

D
2

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D
4

Arrivals and Departures

D

1
A

P SL
D

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Site

Arrivals and Departures

2

A
A

4
D

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SL
3

1
SL
P
4

Site

The Picket Line

1
2

SL

P
4

The Picket Line

1
2

SL

P
4

The Picket Line

1
2

SL

P
4

The Picket Line

1
2

SL

P
4

The Picket Line

4

P
SL

The Picket Line

4

P
SL

The Picket Line

4

P
SL

The Picket Line

4

P
SL

The Picket Line

4

P
SL

Stage and Banquet Deployment

1

SL

P
4

2
3

seated

Speaking Engagement
1

P SL

Intel

4
Intel

Crowd

Elevator Entry

1
2
5

SL P
4

Elevator Entry

SL P
5

Elevator Entry
P

SL

1
3

4
5

Elevator Entry
3

4
P

SL
5

Elevator Exit
3

4
P

SL
5

Elevator Exit

SL
1

2
5

Elevator Exit

4
P

SL
5

Route Surveys

Have a primary and secondary route of travel

Each route should be mapped out with check points
Check points should be no farther than 1/8 of a mile apart
Each turn should be designated as a checkpoint and preceded with left
or right
Detail leader should call off check points to Command post and
Advance personnel as they approach site
Survey should note any possible problem areas
Overpass
Construction areas
Possible choke points with motorcade

Use maps if possible and make sure the directions are clear and easy to
follow

Site Surveys
Purpose is to identify undesirable elements and physical
hazards
Contact person in charge of site
Evaluate where the event is to occur
Consider time principal will be exposed
Examine factors difficult to control
Crowd
Press
Items outside secure areas
Other buildings
onlookers

Site Surveys
Check all travel times and verify
Drive primary and alternate routes

Check and evaluate all emergency data

Phone numbers
Communication equipment
Does it work inside the area

Emergency Escape Route

Determine location of Holding room

Establish security posts
Determine personnel logistics for site

Site Surveys
If possible get copies of floor plans and master key
Maybe needed in the event of an emergency and escape

Establish buffer areas best if not less than 30 ft

Press area
General Public
Invitees

Prepare Preliminary survey report

Site Surveys
Types if Security Site Surveys
Airports
Hotels
Ballrooms
Private (residence, office, etc.)
Open air areas
Parks, construction sites, etc

Comments/Questions