Q) What should employers know about personal protection services?

A) Security requirements in an uncertain world faced with covert threats has encouraged many corporations, executives and individuals to explore their options for personal/executive protection. Personal protection, executive protection and bodyguard all mean the same thing — someone providing personal security for one or more individuals.

Texas regulates the personal protection industry, licensing professional services through the Texas Department of Public Safety, Private Security Bureau in Austin.

When employing personal protection (bodyguard services), the employer should make sure he is dealing with professionals who are Texas certified, licensed and insured.

Personal protection officers are subjected to background checks and psychological evaluation. They must also complete required training and examinations that include personal security, self-defense, defense of a third person and firearms qualification. Continuing education for license renewal every two years is another statutory requirement and includes firearm proficiency recertification.

TDPS issues official identification pocket cards with photographs to certified personal protection officers. All personal protection officers are required to carry a TDPS-issued identification pocket card with photograph while on duty. Without exception, anyone providing these professional services must possess a TDPS-issued pocket card or have full-time employment as a peace officer.

The professional personal protection officer is highly trained to deal with any potential threat and other issues that arise. When necessary, the personal protection officer can be a high profile visible deterrent to a potential threat. However, often the officer blends perfectly with his client and surroundings and goes unnoticed to virtually everyone except his client.

In addition to protecting his client from physical harm, the licensed personal protection officer has a contractual and ethical obligation to protect his client from any threat that may cause embarrassment or damage to the client’s personal or business reputation. His first and most effective response is to cover and evacuate the client. Conflict avoidance is the most fundamental concept of professional personal protection.

Trust, discretion and confidentiality are also an ethical and professional obligation. Maximum security may require in-depth consultation and extensive preparation with management and security personnel of establishments such as, hotels, restaurants and entertainment and sports venues. However, client discretion and confidentiality is a requirement and priority.

“The purpose of private browsing is to put Firefox into a temporary state where no information about the user’s browsing session is stored locally. Firefox currently handles the user’s privacy with a feature in preferences to clear all private data. This feature forces the user to choose between having privacy (even if only momentary), and other useful features like browsing history, and saved passwords. Users should be able to go “off the record”, they shouldn’t have to shoot the reporter.”  - Source - Mozilla

HAA & Crime Stoppers Be apart of the team!

Take the first and most significant step.  Show the City of Houston, HPD and your current and future residents that you intend do your part in preventing and solving crime in your apartment community!

 WHEREAS, there is a need for a program designed to inform, educate and assist the owners of apartment communities that experience excessive levels of criminal activity on their properties as to the most effective and efficient means and methods that have proven successful in reducing criminal activity; and

 WHEREAS, the City Council desires to make available to the owners and managers of apartment communities that have experienced excessive levels of criminal activity a set of recommended operating practices and property improvements that have proven successful in reducing criminal activity;

(Source: City of Houston, Texas, Ordinance No. 2006-1124)

Commission Security Officer Training Course $150.00

In this 30 hour course of study, the student will learn about the Texas Private Security Bureau, Chapter 1702 of the Texas Occupation Code, and the Texas Administrative Rules. Professionalism, Leadership and safety issues will also be discussed. The student will be taught techniques in Non-Violent Dispute Resolution as well as the laws regarding the Use of Force, what justifies the use of force and the consequences of using excessive force. The power to arrest, responding to emergencies, report writing and firearms training are also subjects covered in this class. All students must pass both the state required written exam and the Firearms proficiency exam.

Personal Protection Officer Training Course $200.00

This 15 hour class meets all of the educational & Training requirements to become a Personal Protection Officer in the State of Texas. In this class the student will learn basic options and rules of Personal Protection. The use of force continuum, use of force laws and justification for the use of force will be reviewed. Unarmed defensive tactics will be taught and practiced in this class. Learning how to profile a client to determine the level of threat and then preparing a safety plan will subjects of interest and discussed in detail. Escorting techniques and safely transporting your principal form one location to another will also be taught is this class. Each student will experience full facial exposure to Oleoresin Capsicum Defensive Spray to gain a basic knowledge and understanding of the usage and effects of Oleoresin Capsicum (OC Spray). Each student will be required to pass the state required written exam.

Re-qualification Training Course $70.00

In order to continue working in the Security & Investigations Industry, you must complete the state required 6 hour re-qualification course every 2 years. This class will cover continuing education requirements for both your Commission Card and your Personal Protection Officer Authorization.

In this class the student will review their duties and responsibilities as a Security Officer or Personal Protection Officer. Use of Force laws, Responding to Emergencies and Report Writing will also be covered in this class. In addition, Firearms safety and basic marksmanship will be covered. The student will be required to pass a written exam as well as a firearms proficiency exam.

Concealed Handgun Training Class $100.00

You can obtain your Concealed Handgun Licensing Package at: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/

This class includes classroom and gun range instruction, notary services and finger prints. The student is responsible for their own gun range fees and ammunition. Eligibility requirements and the legal aspects of carrying a handgun will be taught in this class. In addition to safe handling and storage of a firearm, the student will also learn about Non-Violent Dispute Resolution, laws regarding the Use of Force, what justifies the Use of Force and the consequences for using excessive force. Basic Marksmanship will also be taught and practiced in class. The student will be required to pass the state required written exam and the firearms proficiency exam.

June 2011 security-class2.pdf

Many times I have been asked by business owners “Why should I invest money in a security program; shouldn’t the police provide all of the protection I need?”

This is correct, the local police departments do provide a certain degree of protection; but generally they are not adequately staffed to be your only source of protection.  It is up to the business owner to seek other means of security.

Property owners have a responsibility to provide sufficient security to protect their visitors and employees from criminal activity.  If your establishment undergoes an act of crime, you run the risk of being a victim twice; first by the crime itself and secondly by the criminal’s actions.

Property liability for criminal acts of third parties has been the subject of conversation for business for years.  Businesses have been sued for millions of dollars because they failed to provide adequate security for their employees and customers.  Rental property owners are being sued with increasing frequency by tenants injured by criminals, with settlements and jury awards typically ranging from $100,000 to $1 million.

$12 million in damages

The owner of a frozen-yogurt shop and the owner of the Austin, Texas mall where it is situated agreed to pay $12 million to the parents of four teen-age girls who were murdered during a 1991 robbery in     the store where two of the girls worked. The suit, alleging inadequate security, was settled even though the crime was not solved.

$450,000 in damages

Inadequate security: Failure to warn resident of an Apartments complex.  One night, a man broke into to her apartment through the bedroom window and she was sexually assaulted. The intruder pled guilty to first degree rape and sodomy. She sued the complex owner, alleging inadequate security, alleging the bathroom window’s latch was broken.  During the two years before the assault, investigations of a double murder, three rapes, and numerous prowler complaints.

That was two of many lawsuits and settlements alleging inadequate security. Before I give my opinion on the question “Is a Security Program Necessary” let’s take a look at the definition of inadequate security.

Inadequate is defined as not adequate; unequal to the purpose; insufficient; as inadequate resources, power, conceptions, representation, etc.

Security is defined as the condition or quality of being secure; Freedom of risk; safety; that which secures or makes safe; protection; guard; defense; etc.

Inadequate Security could be defended as one that fails to provide a secure and freedom of risk or harm.  The owner fails to take reasonable measures to protect against foreseeable dangers to the tenants, employees and their guest.

We have talked about providing a safe and secure place for your employees, invitees, tenants and foreseeable dangers. What would be some of the foreseeable dangers?

Imminent harm: Foreseeability determined by evidence that the property owner or custodian of the property knew or should have known a particular crime was imminent based on prior incidences of the crime in the area or on the property.

Prior similar incidences: Foreseeability determined by evidence of comparable criminal acts during a specific time frame on or near the property.

Totality of the circumstances: Foreseeable determined by the location, condition and layout of the premises, and other relevant factors, including any prior criminal activity on or near the premises.

If you’re open to the public and have one employee or one hundred employees, security should be 1^st and foremost on your priority list.

Case history indicates that a crime-free property is good for business and it just makes good business sense.  Follow these steps to get your business on the pathway to a safer environment.

Step - 1: Crime Risk Assessment

Step - 2: Develop a Security Plan of Action

Step - 3: Policy and Procedure Solutions

Step - 4: Physical Security Solutions

Step - 5: Security Management Training

Step - 6: Partnership with TMLA Law Enforcement

Step - 7: Maintain the Standards

 Step - 1: Crime Risk Assessment

 Step - 2: Develop a Security Plan of Action

 Step - 3: Policy and Procedure Solutions

 Step - 4: Physical Security Solutions

 Step - 5: Security Management Training

 Step - 6: Partnership with TMLA and Law Enforcement

 Step - 7: Maintain the Standards

Remember, much like the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure”. Don’t make yourself a victim when it might be avoidable.

Who may be at risk?

Windows XP, 2000 and Server 2003 users who use older Internet Explorer Versions. On certain Internet Explorers - Microsoft ActiveX Vulnerability may allow malicious bots or hackers to control computer and possibly obtain private data.

How this might occur:

If a user visits a malicious Web site or a legitimate Web site that has been compromised or infected with malicious code. When a user visits an infected site, the site may deliver malicious software unknowingly to the user’s computer. That in turn could allow an attacker to download more malicious programs, intercept information such as credit card numbers, passwords) or even optain files that which reside on the victim’s computer.

Severity: High Risk

Executive protection services make use of security professionals such as bodyguards, EP agents, or executive protection specialists to protect the welfare and safety of an individual. Executive protection can also extend from physical protection of an individual to protection of a company’s property or assets. In some cases, executive protection professionals also are assigned to help protect an individual’s family.

Who uses executive protection?

Celebrities, corporations, companies, company VIPs, and government officials have all traditionally used EP services to keep themselves, their property, and their families safe. However, in today’s world, more and more everyday individuals are finding that executive protection helps them, too.

Why do people hire executive protection agents?

Everyday individuals hire executive protection for many reasons. EP agents can be crucial in threat assessments, for example, and can help keep those involved in child abuse investigations or domestic abuse investigations safe. If a threat has been made against a person or family, executive protection or bodyguard services can offer protection that local law enforcement cannot.

What is involved in executive protection services?

Usually, a person interested in executive protection will speak to a private investigator who will offer a threat assessment to determine whether a risk exists and what that risk may be. If the client and investigator decide that executive protection is a good idea, one or two agents (either armed or unarmed, depending on the situation) are assigned. These agents go where the individual goes and they aim mainly to provide non-invasive, non-confrontational avoidance, which means that their main concern is to stay out of the way and without aggression to prevent incidents or security risks from arising. If the person who is being protected n threatened, the agents can step in to defend that person, can seek help from law enforcement, and can generally do many things to help defuse the situation. Their main concern in these situations is to get the person they are protecting out of the situation and out of harm’s way.

What should I look for in executive protection professionals?

In most states, executive protection experts or bodyguards need a private investigator’s / security license. However, you should also look for agents who have the skills you need. For example, if you are looking for security in a high-risk area away from home (such as in Israel or the Middle East) look for agents with military and weapons experience. If you are looking for someone to protect you and your property and company systems, look for agents with computer knowledge. Interview several executive protection professionals to find someone you trust and feel comfortable with.

… is the art and science of applying computer science to aid the legal process. Although plenty of science is attributable to computer forensics, most successful investigators possess a nose for investigations and a skill for solving puzzles, which is where the art comes in. - Chris L.T. Brown, Computer Evidence Collection and Preservation, 2006

Computer forensinc science assists law enforcement and legal agencies in dealing with digital evidence to address the complete investigation process.

This process expands from the crime scene through analysis and eventutally into the courtroom.

More to come…please check back