How Far Should A Bodyguard Go To Please The Client?

November 18th, 2011

By Terry Brown

Terry Brown is a Personal Protection Professional & Consultant for more than a decade.  Mr. Brown is the President & CEO of Armor Bearer Protective Services headquartered in Northern California.  He and his staff provide protective strategies for their clients of different sectors of industry, throughout the world.  He is recognized as an expert in the field of physical security and criminal investigations.  Mr. Brown is also a trainer of various small arms weapons in the private sector.  He is available for seminars and consulting services.  To contact Mr. Brown, send an e-mail to info@armorbps.com.

As personal protection and high-risk personnel, we are faced with many decisions that in many ways, we handle with a keen sense because we train for it. We train for the unseen and anticipate the unknown, that’s what makes us worth our weight in gold. But what if your client asks for something that is illegal, immoral or places you, them and possibly your partner in grave danger? What do you do? How would you handle it?

In the movie, The Bodyguard, Kevin Costner’s character, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect Whitneycharacter, Rachel Marron. In the movie after a rocky start eventually the two fall in love. Now many will say that this is just Hollywood, however, I have actually seen this played out in real life. In one instance, the bodyguard and the principal had a great relationship that lasted for many years. In another situation, the bodyguard was fired shortly after him and the principal broke up. My question is: What are your thoughts on romantic relationships with a principal? In your opinion, is this ethically wrong? I would love to hear your thoughts! – Hucky Austin, Bodyguard Careers

Familiarity sometimes is life’s best teacher

Experience has taught us that personal protectors have on occasion been asked to perform certain tasks outside their area of responsibility, such tasks as approach women and select them to have private encounters with the client, look for and obtain drugs for their clients. What if you’re asked to consume drugs with the client? What if the client asks you to participate in sexual activities with them and others? Would you succumb to the pressure? Or worst, what if you’re asked to euthanize an ailing client whom you’ve grown attached to? What would you do? What would be your response? Emotionally, can you handle making the tough decision? Or will you cave in to the client’s expectations? To keep your job, will you compromise your core values to please the client? What about your boss?

For a young inexperienced personal protection agent, one must thoughtfully and carefully workout and through these scenarios that are and can be daunting or worst, tragic if carried out. There are many operators in the business that are lone wolfs with no domestic strategic or tactical experience and certainly no business sense. Many enter the industry with ill-preconceived ideas of what the job requires from a psychological approach.

What’s in it for me

The personal protection industry has entered into a very interesting season. Much like the dysfunctional real estate industry, individuals get in for the benefits rather than the passion to serve others. Oftentimes, I hear from those outside the industry that my job must be “cool” because I travel or because of those I come into contact with. It is this adolescent mentality that gets the rear end, caught up!

Rapper T.I. was arrested on federal gun charges just hours before he was scheduled to perform at the BET Hip HopAwards, according to federal authorities. The entertainer, whose real name is Clifford Harris, was arrested in a federal sting Saturday after his bodyguard-turned-informant delivered three machine guns and two silencers to the hip-hop star, according to a Justice Department statement.

One of my client’s favorite sayings is “I stay in my lane.” As protectors, we have to understand what our mission is, develop a strategic plan from which to operate by and know your role in the relationship with the client, and more importantly is okay with it. This not only includes the agent’s behavior, but their demeanor and language as well. Recently, another client once said to me, “money hasn’t changed him, it changed the people around him.” Agents must remain professional, stay within the boundaries of their job descriptions and stay focused on the big picture.

Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil

Personal protectors are in a position to observe or hear the inner most private affairs of their clients, and sometimes, what began as a business and professional association fast tracks into a relationship that becomes detrimental to both the client and their protector. In some cases, those of us who have been in the business for any length of time know protectors who lost their way in the relationship with the client and began to do things outside the purview of their job description. Note: There is a certain level of latitude given the agent simply because you do want to be a team player and if asked to do menial tasks its acceptable as long it doesn’t place the client in harms way or exposes the client unnecessarily. Again, these tasks cannot supersede the safety of the client.

Sometimes tasks will land the inexperienced agent in deep water because they tried to hard to please the client by trying to be their buddy and hanging out when they should be working, focusing on the safety and welfare of the client.

The L.A. city attorney’s office charged “Girls Gone Wild” founder Joe Francis and his bodyguard Tuesday with multiple misdemeanors related to a physical altercation with three women after a party in Hollywood.

Vagram Gegdzhyan, his driver and bodyguard, faces additional criminal counts of impersonating a public officer with intimidation and one count of fraudulently using a badge.
During the ride, Gegdzhyan allegedly produced a sheriff’s badge, impersonating a law enforcement officer, and did not allow the women to get out of the limo.

In some cases, the inexperienced agent may find themselves in a situation where they grew up idolizing a superstar celebrity and now they’re assigned to protect them. To properly work the client, the agent must separate that admiration for their beloved superstar and treat them like any other paying client to protect them. Under similar circumstances, both experienced and inexperienced agents have to be honest with their self-evaluation and ask, “Can I work this client and be effective”? If the answer is no, change. There is no shame in walking away and allow a more neutral agent to do the job. Do not allow yourself to become emotionally attached. Don’t slip-up by mistaken emotions for passion. One is without thought. Know the difference.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Michael Jackson’s bodyguard testified Thursday that Conrad Murray told him to hidemedicine vials before calling 911.

Agents have to make good decisions even when it’s not popular with the client and if it means jeopardizing your core values. An inexperienced agent can develop their ability to make prudent decisions, but you have to start somewhere and it’s better if this decision is made early in one’s career. That means you start with the small, insignificant ones as a blueprint and they will get you through the major choices. Clients have to trust that under the most trying times, the thing they can hang their hat on, is that the agent will always make the right decisions.

More What if games

What if you’ve had a client for many years, spent more time with that client than your own family? How close do you think you’ll become, on a personal level? In many cases, their enemies become your concerns, their cares become your cares and their causes become yours. What if your client suddenly took ill to the point that the pain they experienced caused them to scream out horrifically every waking moment? What would you do? To quote the Actor Sean Connery in the movie “The Untouchables”, “What are you prepared to do?”

Max Bell, a resident of Broken Hill, in the state of New South Wales, drove all the way to Darwin in the Northern Territory, when euthanasia was briefly legal in 1996, to be killed.

What if your client or your client’s representative approached you and informs you that the client gives a voluntary and informed consent to assist in their death. Would you assist? In the Michael Jackson case, is it conceivable that Dr. Conrad Murray euthanized Mr. Jackson? Remember your core values? You don’t want to sell your soul to the devil.

Parting thoughts

As protectors, if we’re not careful, we can fall into the trap of an emotional attachment of a client that is not healthy. By not doing the right thing, in many ways, we can do an injustice and let our clients down. Come into this business with your own personal code and ethics, your core values. And don’t compromise them for no one, the client, your partner, or even your boss. Play the “What if” game. It’ll keep you honest, accountable and safe!

Posted in Executive Protection, VIP/Celebrity Security | 119 Comments »

The Effect of Occupy Wall Street On American Businesses

November 7th, 2011

Occupy Wall Street (OWS) has captured the minds of the American people, organizations and security professionals as they play

out through the wave of media outlets throughout the world and on our television sets in our living rooms.  It is this type of situational awareness why strategic plans are drawn and that security professionals feel the need to educate clients on this growing concern.  The following are considerations, and should be considered, prior to demonstrations, picketing and/or strikes in your area that could affect your company’s ability to operate.

Background

OWS is an ongoing series of demonstrations that began in New York City based in Zuccotti Park in the Wall Street financial district. The protests were initiated by the Canadian activist group Adbusters.  They are mainly protesting social and economic inequality, corporate greed, corruption and influence over government—particularly from the financial services sector—and lobbyists.

The original protest began on September 17, 2011, and by October 9, similar demonstrations were either ongoing or had been held in 70 major cities and over 600 communities in the U.S. Internationally, other “Occupy” protests have modeled themselves after Occupy Wall Street, in over 900 cities worldwide.  Currently, protestors in Oakland, California are at center stage with the demonstrations and the violence and destruction that has ensued.  More importantly, it should be noted that in the mist of this particular demonstration, gangs have infiltrated the mob (demonstrators) and have been involved in destructive criminal activity.

The protesters include persons of a variety of political orientations, including liberals, political independents, anarchists, socialists, libertarians and environmentalists and now local gangs.

Criminal Activity

Demonstrators at Occupy Wall Street have complained of thefts of assorted items such as cameras, phones, and laptops. Thieves also stole $2500 of donations that were stored in a makeshift kitchen.  On October 10, a man was arrested for groping a woman.  Two people were arrested at Occupy Boston for selling heroin while they had a 6 year-old child living in their tent.  An Occupy Denver demonstrator was arrested for groping a reporter.  The police are investigating sexual assaults in Cleveland, Dallas, and Portland.  At Occupy Baltimore, a pamphlet was distributed to members that victim’s advocates say discourages victims of sex crimes to report them to police.

The purpose of this briefing is to initiate a plan or get everyone to process in their own minds, methodical and strategic plan should your business become affected by demonstrators in your area.

In any protest or demonstration, the overriding consideration of the security organization is to prevent injury and property damage, preserve the integrity of the work site for the early resumption of normal activities after the demonstration ends or moves on and maintain order.  This is accomplished through the proper planning and deployment of security resources and quick response to security-related incidents.

Demonstrations without violence do occur, but security professionals must always factor in the potential for violent behavior.  We must always look at the ”worst case’ scenarios to better consult our clients.  We will allow for assumptions that affected companies and demonstrators does not use violence as a weapon in itself and that violence which does occur, is incidental and not central to the cause or theme of the demonstration.  That being said, premeditated and spontaneous violence, which occurs in many of demonstrations, that is intentionally used to galvanize emotions or to force the involvement of public law enforcement agencies will usher in prompt action with a measured approach.

Early Considerations

Companies should carefully consider a string of procedural questions when developing and implementing a strategic plan.  It is equally vital that these guidelines and their answers are agreed upon prior to the demonstration unfolding in your area.  The key queries are:

  1. Will you attempt to conduct “business as usual”?
  2. If so, what is the probable size of the work force required on the days affected?
  3. How will premises access be handled both for pedestrians and vehicular traffic?
  4. Will shipments be made and received?
  5. Will criminal complaints be filed on behalf of the company in cases where security and law enforcement make arrests?
  6. To what degree will companies allow media coverage of the demonstration?

Business as Usual

As security consultants we understand the need for businesses to remain operational and to carry on with business as usual.  Industries as the telephone, electric and first responders are an example of those industries.  The question and the challenge is not whether services will continue, but rather what elements of the operation can be postponed until after the demonstration has run its course or when it is reasonably safe to do so.

Symbolically, continuing operation with the appearance of being normal, says your picketing, your demonstration isn’t hurting us.  Though the presence of the demonstration will have some measurable emotional effect, one can make the argument that normalcy of operations will to some degree discourage the demonstration.

The decision to carry on regular operations is made by the senior or executive staff.  A practical management team will carefully evaluate all factors influencing this decision.  Security reasons to be considered are possible violence, damage to property and possible principal targets.

Liaison

Management has the responsibility to make notifications to affected persons and organizations of the status of the demonstration and its effectiveness on operations.  Security consultants should collaboratively devise a detailed communications plan including all employees, vendors and known visitors who have a need to enter the facility.  Note:  This warning is a business courtesy, but may be the crux in any civil action brought against the company for damages at a later date.  This plan should also involve after hours communications.

Training

Prior to any demonstration or even strikes, uninvolved personnel should be trained on how to handle threats and confrontations with demonstrators.  Cross training of critical infrastructure jobs should be considered such as general safety concerns, emergency shutdown procedures or other maintenance of crucial or hazardous processes.

Access Control

Intrusion alarm systems should be tested immediately prior to the outset of a strike and periodically during the course of the strike.

Premises Access

Demonstrators and their supporters always greatly outnumber management personnel and usually that of available police personnel.  Their weapon of choice, other than withholding their own labor, is their ability to discourage others from entering the affected premises as well as prevent shipments, visitors from entering or leaving the facility.

Demonstrators have the lawful right to use public property adjoining the premises is well-taken, provided the activity (demonstration) is lawful and is conducted in an orderly and peaceful fashion.  The delineation and distinction between public and private property is obvious.  The question that comes into play is whether the private property has public access.  At many sites, the lines are much more difficult to determine.  Multi-tenant facilities have resulted in some interesting court decisions.  This subject is another time and another story.

The United States Supreme Court held that picketers or demonstrators have no legal right to enter a privately owned shopping center to advertise their demonstration against one of the tenant retail stores.  A U.S. Court of Appeals held that demonstrators could, however, picket against a restaurant on the 46th floor of an office building, so long as it remained orderly and did not impede the use of other facilities on that floor.  The court apparently considered the public area inside the building as the functional equivalent of a public sidewalk.  However, another U.S. Court of Appeals ruled against picketing in the corridors of an office building outside of the employer’s premises.  Thus, security professionals should stay current with legal rulings in this area to ensure demonstration plans and operations reflect up-to-date court decisions.

The legal advice should include a precise definition of the locations where picketing should be allowed.  Theoretically, the law does not permit mass picketing that makes it physically impossible or restrictive to come and go from the premises.  This is specifically what the demonstrators’ do until the company does something about it.  When picketers engage in illegal behavior, companies should document and record these illegal actions for legal proceedings later for purposes of an injunction to stop the demonstration.  Proper documentation (evidence) of illegal activities will lead to the injunction to cease with illegal picketing.

Should the demonstrators continue with the illegal activity, ignoring the court order, law enforcement can then step in and force the demonstrators to adhere to the court order.  If there are damages, the company has the right to pursue recovery later through the court process.

Documentation and Demonstration Coverage

Keeping record of the demonstration can consist of the conventional still shots, digital photos, video recordings, audio and logging or note taking.  It is important to refrain from documenting legal activities but to document illegal activities as fully as possible.  The documentation may be required or especially useful:

  1. As proof of criminal charges;
  2. In support of an application for injunctive relief;
  3. In defending a civil action brought against the company

Prior to a demonstrative expression and activity, security consultants, legal professionals and management should be specific in the assignment of this documentation responsibility.  It is during these discussions that when the documentary should happen and what should be documented.  Note:  Those who will likely conduct the documentation should survey the sites most likely to experience or be affected by the demonstration looking for the optimum location to document.

Fire, Medical and Other Emergencies

Pre-demonstration plans should include the need for emergency responders.  There is a presumption and likelihood that disasters such as fire and other emergency situations will occur.  At the very least, because of the fear of a large and potential volatile gathering, the strain of it all may exacerbate heart or other medical problems.

Law Enforcement

The police interest is not in the intrinsic worth of the demonstration, just in preserving the peace and preventing violence.  Police involvement will depend largely on their command staff and the jurisdiction’s political climate.

The purpose of law enforcement’s involvement will be:

  1. Respond to acts of illegal behavior with an appropriate amount of personnel to prevent further illegal activity.
  2. Enforce the law fairly and firmly; and
  3. Prevent violence.

To accomplish this, the requirement for effective police control is proper planning.  Mostly, police will not get involved until there is an injunction in place.

We can go on and on with the many different things and offer various solutions to the problem of a feisty demonstration.  The fact of the matter is, the difference between a peaceful demonstration and civil unrest is a stone’s throw in the wrong direction, at the wrong thing or hit the wrong person.  Be proactive and not reactive.  Reaction costs companies millions in lost productivity whereas pro-action costs far less.  Get your ducks in order!  Call and meet with your trusted security consultants and protect what you worked so hard for.

If you do not have a security consultant, give Armor Bearer Protective Services a call and we’ll assist you in putting together a strategic plan.

Terry Brown

President/CEO

Armor Bearer Protective Services, Inc.

info@armorbps.com

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Posted in Domestic Security, Domestic Terrorism, Executive Protection, Security Management Consulting | 65 Comments »

To Serve & Protect, or Beat & Kill

August 16th, 2011

By Terry Brown

Terry Brown is a Personal Protection Professional & Consultant for more than a decade.  Mr. Brown is the President & CEO of Armor Bearer Protective Services headquartered in Northern California.  He and his staff provide protective strategies for their clients of different sectors of industry, throughout the world.  He is recognized as an expert in the field of physical security and criminal investigations.  Mr. Brown is also a trainer of various small arms weapons in the private sector.  He is available for seminars and consulting services.  To contact Mr. Brown, send an e-mail to info@armorbps.com.

In March of 1991, Los Angeles resident Rodney King was brutally beaten by four members of the Los Angeles Police Department. Oscar Grant, of Oakland, was fatally shot by BART Police Officer, Johannes Mehserle in Oakland, California on New Years day in 2009. The list goes on and on, Green in Detroit, Hamley in Arkansas and we can’t forget the Ovando shooting by Los Angeles Police Officers Perez and Durden from the infamous Rampart Division.

Hits just keep on coming

On July 5th, 2011 in the evening hours, Fullerton officers confronted 37 year-old Kelly Thomas on a call of a suspicious person burglarizing cars in the parking lot of a bus depot. It has been reported and written that officers confronted Thomas; a 37 year-old homeless man who suffered from schizophrenia, before he reportedly ran and eventually fought with those officers.

Been there, done that!

Reports indicate that police brutality is on the rise since the terrorist acts on 9/11. USA Today’s writer, Kevin Johnson, wrote:
Most police officers are faithful civil servants, and many are true heroes. They put their lives on the line for our communities everyday! It’s the few who give the majority the bad reputation. It smears the trust of the community.

US Legal defines police brutality as a civil rights violation that occurs when a police officer acts with excessive force by using an amount of force with regards to a civilian that is more than necessary. Excessive force by law enforcement officers is a violation of a person’s rights. Excessive force is not subject to a precise definition, but it is generally beyond the force a reasonable and prudent law enforcement officer would use under the circumstances. In California as well as other states, officers shall only use force necessary to overcome resistance to affect that arrest. The use of excessive force is also a direct violation of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S Constitution regarding cruelty and protection of the laws.

I once had a Captain who used to say treat people the way you want other officers to treat your mother or father. That resonated with me and I certainly didn’t want to share a jail cell with the guy I arrested an hour ago.

To be frank, there were times when I myself was over jealous, competitive or simply pissed off because the person I attempted to arrest made me sweat for it by running and/or fighting.  There is no secret; I come from the “boys in blue” culture. I worked 10 years in one of the nation’s most dangerous and notoriously violent cities. During my time on the harden streets of East Palo Alto, California, I participated in several hundred arrests. Much like a new kid in high school, I was tested by my adversaries; drug dealers, rapist, robbers, gang members and murderers, I’ve encountered them all. I received death threats, was punched, kicked, cut with a knife and even shot at (on more than one occasion). It all goes with the territory!

Additionally, I’ve sustained several injuries from cuts/bruises to torn ligaments and broken bones. It’s the nature of the business. At times when I chased, and/or fought with suspects that I myself got in an extra shot here and there because I got caught up in the moment. Though I didn’t believe in “curbside justice”, sometimes my competitive nature kicked in. Having applied these unnecessary “licks”, I clearly understood the difference between that (my own behavior), and I was WRONG, and brutality! I make the distinction by looking up the definition of brutality and what I came up with were terms such as savagery, ferociousness, extreme cruelty and viciousness. My indiscretions never came close to the act of brutality. I think the death of another human being qualifies this as not only brutality, but also MURDER!

Those few that do go overboard, it’s imperative that they are brought to justice because they operate under the color of authority. It appears the actions of these 6 Fullerton officers that fateful night were in direct violation under the color of authority.

One man’s commentary.

Posted in Domestic Security | 132 Comments »

61 Year-old Colorado Woman Charged With Sexual Assault After Groping TSA Agent’s Breast

July 26th, 2011

By Terry Brown

Terry Brown is a Personal Protection Professional & Consultant for more than a decade.  Mr. Brown is the President & CEO of Armor Bearer Protective Services headquartered in Northern California.  He and his staff provide protective strategies for their clients of different sectors of industry, throughout the world.  He is recognized as an expert in the field of physical security and criminal investigations.  Mr. Brown is also a trainer of various small arms weapons in the private sector.  He is available for seminars and consulting services.  To contact Mr. Brown, send an e-mail to info@armorbps.com.

Ms. Yukari Mihamae, a 61 year-old Colorado businesswoman, was arrested on felony charges for groping a female TSA agent at the Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, Arizona. Law enforcement authorities said she is accused of grabbing the agent’s left breast through her clothing and squeezing and twisting it with both hands.

The writer indicated in the news article wrote that Ms. Mihamae was arrested for NOT getting the permission of the TSA agent before grabbing her breast. Since when did we give our permission to be groped by TSA agents?
In the era of global terrorism and the 10th year anniversary of the tragic 9-11, I am all for safety and security flying or not. It would be hypocritical if I said differently. I am a security professional and the threat of terror is real. I am a former law enforcement officer and the idea of search and seizure was as essential to how we conducted ourselves as jet fuel to flying. Our academy training taught us and we understood how sensitive this portion of our jobs were. The act of touching private and personal areas of another makes people uncomfortable. Though necessary for our safety, this was drilled into our heads so that we clearly understood its impact.
Talking about that shoe being on the other foot and from a different perspective, it makes protective professionals uneasy travelling with their clients who are subjected to questionable searches. This forces Protection Professionals to ask and seek answers to questions such as, what steps do you take to prevent potentially embarrassing moments during a security search? What do you do as a protector when you see a TSA employee conduct an improper search of your client? Are there alternatives and what if any, can be done during the advance? As professionals, do not have the luxury of being vulnerable to these types of situations. Professionals will ask and pre-arrange for a more private area should a more in-depth examination become necessary.
Since the inauguration of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in 2002, there have been criticisms and assertions that the TSA employees mistreated passengers, and having sexually harassed passengers by touching the genitals of women and children in particular. The accusations extend out to the removal of nipple rings with pliers, searching passengers for things other than weapons.
There have been a number of publicized incidents that have pre-empted public ridicule and outcry against the invasiveness of the pat-down methods where women’s breasts and the genital areas of all passengers are firmly patted. Moreover, apprehension has raised its ugly head in the form of possible constitutional violations regarding the new screening methods. The American Civil Liberties Union, the leading opposition, has led the way claiming violations of the Fourth Amendment, prohibiting unreasonable searches and seizures.
Some high-profile incidents surrounding the screening procedures include:
▪ Passenger John Tyner refused a pat-down famously telling security personnel “If you touch my junk I’m gonna have you arrested.”
▪ A breast cancer survivor was forced to remove her prosthetic breast.
▪ A bladder cancer survivor had his colostomy bag seal broken during a pat-down, leaving him soaked in urine.
▪ A rape survivor was bothered by a pat-down that she described as feeling like being sexually assaulted again.
▪ An eight-year-old boy was patted down on his genital area.
▪ A woman claims that she was subjected to additional screening by a male TSA agent because of the size of her breasts.
▪ A woman claims to have been harassed and detained inordinately by multiple TSA agents over a container of saved human breast milk, and was told by a police officer that the TSA agents targeted her due to her previous complaints.
▪ A woman claims that she was patted down because the body scanner revealed her sanitary towel.
▪ Actress and model Donna D’Errico claims that a TSA agent selected her to go through an extra search and justified his choice by saying “Because you caught my eye”.

The TSA eventually changed its policy on pat-downs, in part because of the complaints made mostly by women and the questionable touching of their chest. Screeners are instructed to keep their hands to the perimeters of the chest unless handheld metal detectors indicate otherwise.
Pat downs, in which screeners run the backs of their hands over passengers’ limbs and torsos, including women’s breasts, were implemented with increased frequency in September when the TSA ratcheted up its screening efforts in response to intelligence reports that prior to boarding airplanes, terrorists might try to smuggle weapons attached to their bodies.
New and improved methods to determine whether a person is concealing weapons on them have birth other methods including machinery, such as the full body scan. This technology detects items that may be concealed under a passenger’s clothing and allows TSA personnel to screen without any physical contact to the passenger. The technology is currently in 70 airports and uses harmless electromagnetic waves, so there are no known health anxieties, but privacy concerns remain.

While I see and agree the justification for searches to ensure our safety when flying is warranted; but just because the theory behind pat down searches is justified and necessary, doesn’t make the methods or techniques used, right.
Maybe, just maybe, Ms. Mihamae had enough with being groped by the TSA agent, a stranger, a person not familiar with her. Of course, she never gave her permission, assuming she was groped previous to her returning the favor. She traveled enough for business, to the tune of traveling weekly, to be used to and accepting the idea of searches, but not inappropriate touching.
The head of federal airport security said he’s aware of the escalating condemnation of the TSA’s novel and aggressive pat downs and full body scans, and even confesses he’s not fond of them. Recently, he told federal government officials that the flying public will have to get accustomed to the searches — and that the policy won’t change, fighting terrorism is more important. >>> told lawmakers his experience with the pat down searches was “more invasive than what I was used to.”
Done incorrectly, can be a personal invasion. Though the images are revealing, the alternative is the full body scan with its improved electronic scanning technology. This should make physical searches of passengers, less common. I know we can’t have our cake and eat it too. Or can we?

Ms. Yukari Mihamae

Posted in Uncategorized | 71 Comments »

Could The Egging of Lady Gaga Been Avoided?

July 12th, 2011

By Terry Brown

Terry Brown is a Personal Protection Professional & Consultant for more than a decade.  Mr. Brown is the President & CEO of Armor Bearer Protective Services headquartered in Northern California.  He and his staff provide protective strategies for their clients of different sectors of industry, throughout the world.  He is recognized as an expert in the field of physical security and criminal investigations.  Mr. Brown is also a trainer of various small arms weapons in the private sector.  He is available for seminars and consulting services.  To contact Mr. Brown, send an e-mail to info@armorbps.com.

Lady Gaga was targeted by vandals outside of ARQ nightclub in Sydney … and they were armed! With eggs!

Unfortunate yes, however, was it avoidable is the question? Personal Protection Professionals loose sleep over strategies and tactics of protecting their clients.

As professionals, true professionals, we will spend countless hours developing layers of security to insulate clients from threats. The easy threats are the visible and recognizable ones, it’s the unforeseen ones that creates the need for professional protection. We come to expect/predict the unexpected. We accomplish this through strategic planning and preparedness.

These methods are contained within a properly conducted advance. Advances, which are necessary, is the protection agent’s bread n’ butter. This plan gives the agent pertinent information for 3-D protection, Detect, Deter,& Defend. Included in the advance are threat assessments. This gives the protection team an idea of the possible threats out there on the client/principal. Additionally, another proponent of protection, while on the detail, is to plant spotters in the crowd.

This brings us back to the original question of whether the incident could have been avoided. I am in no position to second guess or Monday morning quarterback the decisions made during the detail and to their credit, Lady Gaga was never assaulted. They did their job! I bring this subject matter and article up as merely a training lesson. Food for thought.

Tell me what you think!

Posted in Uncategorized | 83 Comments »

Gun Safes | Why a Gun Safe will Work for You by Ron McBride

May 8th, 2010

If you are a gun owner, then you should consider having a gun safe seriously. If you have one gun or an entire whole set of gun collection, then gun safes will be very practical for you for a number of different reasons.

Many gun owners buy and keep guns primarily for protection. You want to have a gun accessible to you in times of need. You need a gun to provide protection for yourself and your family or loved ones. Having guns these days is common; and it is our basic right to have them. Yet, we have also seen how owning guns can lead to shooting accidents that nobody wants in the first place.

Shooting accidents and other untoward incident related to gun ownership can be well avoided with gun safes. With a gun safe, your gun or gun collection can be easily accessible and within your reach in times that you need it without putting your family’s life at risk. Another major objective of gun safes is to protect the guns themselves. With a locked and secured gun safe, you can be assured that you are free from burglary.

Gun safes have proven to be effective to those who want complete protection. Even in cases of fire or water damage, gun safes provide the necessary security. Most gun safes sold these days are not only water resistant or fire resistant but you also have the option to choose completely fireproof and waterproof gun safes. Having these security features, you are assured that your guns can be protected in unexpected accidents like fires and water damage.
Gun safes are also known to be great security and storage places not only for guns but also for other valuables. Because of their known security features, gun safes are also great in keeping other valuables such as important documents, jewelry, heirlooms, and cash.

Gun safes these days are no longer luxury items that give additional dent on your wallet. Gun safes are now considered essentials for all gun owners as these provide protection and safety to you, your family, and to your guns themselves. They can be bought easily in many gun shop stores and are also available in many online stores. Remember to choose gun safes which fit your preferences as many styles, models and sizes are offered. Make your guns work its maximum for you, protect your guns and yourself using gun safes.

Posted in Uncategorized | 41 Comments »

Fired bodyguard charged with impersonating cop

March 24th, 2010

By Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

6:04 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, 2010A former Clayton County schools bodyguard is back in jail for a second time.

This time, Kenneth Jerome Alexander showed a badge and told officers he was a police officer, Clayton County Police Officer Otis Willis III told the AJC on Wednesday.

But officers quickly learned Alexander was fired from his police job six years ago. Alexander, 47, is now in jail, charged with impersonating an officer.

Clayton police were called to Alexander’s Jonesboro home on Tuesday afternoon for a report of a domestic dispute. Police received a 911 phone call and could hear a woman in the background shouting, “get up off me, get up off me,” Willis said.

Officers tracked the call to Alexander’s home and found the couple arguing.

“When he first met the officers, he advised he was a Jonesboro police officer,” Willis told the AJC. “He showed a Jonesboro badge in his wallet and a drivers’ license photo with a police uniform on.”

After seeing no injuries on the woman, police left the house and called Jonesboro police to verify that Alexander was an officer, Willis said.

That’s when officers learned that Alexander had been fired from the police department in 2004. Police returned to Alexander’s home, arrested him and seized the badge, Willis said.

“Since he is not actively sworn and not employed as a peace officer, he’s not a peace officer,” said Ryan Powell, operations director for the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.

It’s unclear why Alexander still had a badge.

Court records show Alexander was charged with four counts of child molestation and two counts of enticing a child after he allegedly inappropriately touched two female students while working as a school resource officer at Jonesboro Middle School.

In 2007, while Alexander’s case was still pending, a Clayton school board member hired Alexander as a bodyguard for former superintendent Gloria Duncan. School officials later fired Alexander after learning about the pending child molestation charges.

The child molestation charges were later dismissed, but the Georgia POST still voted to revoke Alexander’s police certification. Alexander has since filed an appeal and the case is pending with the Attorney General’s Office, Powell said Wednesday.

Alexander’s lawyer, Lee Sexton, did not immediately return phone calls Wednesday.

Alexander’s employment as a school bodyguard was cited as one of a series of problems plaguing Clayton schools when the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools revoked the district’s accreditation.

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Two bombs explode in Baghdad neighborhood

March 24th, 2010

BAGHDAD, March 23 (UPI) — The head of Baghdad’s Investment Authority, Shaker al-Zamli, survived an assassination attempt when a bomb detonated near his motorcade, police said.

Police said four people, including a bodyguard, were wounded, when “an explosive devise exploded at the passing of the motorcade,” the Kuwaiti news agency KUNA reported.

Police reported another roadside bomb exploded in the same neighborhood and injured two people, CNN said.

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Police Officers’ Dismembered Bodies Discovered In Mexico

March 23rd, 2010

A grisly discovery ended the search for two missing police officers in Mexico.

MEXICO CITY (March 22, 2010)–The discovery of two bodies that had been cut into pieces and shoved into two black bags brought to an end the search for two missing police officers in Mexico.

Law enforcement officials said the bagged body parts were found outside police headquarters in Guerrero’s capital city, Chipancingo.

Police officers have been targets, and are sometimes complicit, in Mexico’s 17,900 drug-related killings since President Felipe Calderon stepped up the drug war in December 2006.

On Sunday, gunmen killed a bodyguard and wounded three other people during the attempted assassination of a police chief in northeast Mexico.

The bodyguard of Rene Castillo Sanchez, head of security in the city of Santa Catarina, was killed during the attack and three other people were wounded.

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Another Church Shooting-This Time at a Counseling Session

March 23rd, 2010

KOMO News 4.

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — A woman has died following a shooting at a local church late Wednesday afternoon.  Police spokesman Ray Bunk said the woman and her husband were attending a counseling session at the Calvary Lutheran Church at 2415 S. 320th St. when the man pulled out a gun and shot her several times just before 6 p.m.  Bunk said it wasn’t immediately clear whether the shooting took place during or just after the counseling session, but the suspected shooter called 911 afterward and waited for police and medics to arrive.  “We’re unsure how many witnesses we have,” Bunk said. “Right now, (we don’t know) how many were in the room or even in the area. We’re identifying and interviewing all those witnesses.  “The 38-year-old Lakewood woman was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where she died. Her name has not been released.  The 42-year-old Lakewood man has been taken into custody.

Members of the congregation gathering for a scheduled soup supper, a Lenten tradition on Wednesdays, learned of the tragedy as they arrived at the church.  Many grew teary-eyed over the incident at their place of worship.  “It was really scary to drive up and not know…we knew everybody was getting ready for the soup supper,” said Sandra Cook.  Church members said a daycare inside the church was operating at the time of the shooting, sending parents on a frantic search for their little ones.  “The church is a place of hope, and to someone driven to this degree, this extreme…we just pray for everybody that was inside the building that was connected with this thing,” said Stan Stenersen.

Yet another church shooting has taken place, this time during a counseling session.  Church security isn’t just for church on Saturdays and Sundays.  Church security is needed for all events that may take place at the church or an off site event.  As violence continues to escalate in churches of all faiths, a complete and comprehensive church security plan must be implemented to train church administrators, counselors, and staff on warning signs of imminent violence and to have some kind of a response plan in place should any amount of violence unfold right in front of you or your church members, and to mitigate other church emergencies that arise.

Church security ministry teams are not just for the physical security of the church and its members.  They are an integral part of the day to day operations of any size church gathering.  Church security team ministry members are part of the parking lot crews, door greeters, children’s wing, ushers, and building maintenance personnel to name a few.  Whatever the incident, large or small, the security ministry team facilitates the mitigation of the emergency, protects the children’s wing and congregation, provides crowd control and emergency medical services (etc) until the professionals arrive.

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