Those who think that Bodyguarding is a job best left to men - think again.
The Dublin City Herald recently ran a story about Lisa Baldwin, from Dublin, who is a female Personal Protection/Close Protection Specialist based in the U.K. Ms. Baldwin is in high demand by Middle Eastern clients who wish to have their women and children protected by female agents.
That is exactly why SEXTON EXECUTIVE SECURITY(www.sextonsecurity.com)designed a Middle East E.P./C.P. course that will be held in the U.A.E. from the 11th of October through the 18th. The President, John Sexton summed it up as follows; "We saw the need for agents from all over the world to be able to train in the Middle East and to experience the culture,tradition and religion first hand". "Middle Eastern clients are extremely important to our industry", he added "and it behooves all agents involved in providing safety for these families to become conversant with every aspect of their lives in order to be able to offer the best protection possible".
SEXTON will also have a group of female trainees attending their Executive Protection course in San Diego, California in December. Lisa Baldwin is described in the Herald as being "one of the world's few female bodyguards". Many women around the world now recognize that by undergoing professional training like Ms. Baldwin, they can be assigned to prestigious contracts and make a very lucrative living.
Ms. Baldwin's petite stature does not prevent her from succeeding in a mostly male-dominated industry. "You realise you're not in Iraq, you're in London", she advises. Very true. Smart protectors understand that the Art of Personal Protection is about using your mind and not your brawn. The differences between working in Iraq and London/New York/Dubai are like night and day.
Unfortunately, if the agent does not receive proper training, they may very well fail to realise the difference. There is one type of training needed for a Hostile environment such as Iraq or Afghanistan and a completely different one for the corporate/private sector. A security contractor coming fresh out of a hostile environment will often find it extremely difficult providing protection in a covert, "grey man" style.
Fortunately for them, Sexton Executive Security's focus is on private clients and their E.P./C.P. corporate training program can help those returning form overseas contracts to make the transition smooth and profitable.
In the corporate/private family world, you don't have heavy weaponry to rely upon but as Ms. Baldwin states; "Its all about the mind and prevention". Like the old saying goes; "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Female Bodyguards Get the Job Done.
"Would you feel safe with this man looking after you?
That was the caption under the picture of Rocker,Ted Nugent, in last Tuesday's Guardian. Nugent had volunteered to be Sir Paul McCartney's "Bodyguard" when he played a concert in Israel.
Unfortunately,this is what our industry has to tolerate. Many people, from broken down celebrity deer hunters to jail guards think that if you know how to shoot a rifle or open a gate for inmates to go to the yard, it automatically follows that you know everything about protecting the life of a executive.
So, Ted Nugent knows how to play guitar and shoot deer. Just what part of that background would equip him to keep the former Beetle safe in the Middle East? It is certainly not like Mr. Nugent is trying to pull the wool over our eyes when it comes to any specialized training he may have received. "I'm Dirty Harry with a ponytail", claims the singer.
First of all Mr. Nugent, "Dirty Harry" was a film produced by Hollywood to entertain people, not a "training aid". Secondly, even if we were to stretch our imaginations and consider Harry Callaghan's actions, we would recall that the character was a Police Detective and as such, would have undergone rigourous training at a professional Police Academy.
Refering to reported Islamic Extremist Death Threats made against McCartney if he insisted on playing the concert, Nugent informed us that he "will not bend or waiver to Voodoo Religions or Whackjobs".
It is unknown whether or not Mr. Nugent thinks that Islamic Extremists come from Haiti, but if he is serious about a future career in Executive Protection, we would advise him to attend our upcoming course in Dubai next month where he will not only learn first hand the Art of Personal Protection, but he will also learn about Middle Eastern Cultures, Tradition and Religion.
Unfortunately, there's no way of predicting how much culture we may be able to pass on to Mr. Nugent, as the course is only a little over a week long. We will also be teaching etiquette and which knife and fork to use when attending a formal event with your Principal. That's right Ted, you don't get to tear the meat from the bone with your hands.
Someone call the U.A.E. and let the Hilton know that we may have to stay longer than planned.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
CEO is Bludgeoned to Death in India.
American CEOs shouldn't be too troubled by the heat they are taking for their "Golden Parachute" bonuses which are worth tens of millions of dollars. If they were in India, they might just get beaten to death.
The CEO of an Italian auto parts subsidarary based in Greater Noida, was beaten to death by an angry mob of 200 workers who had been locked out of the factory. They stormed the offices and killed the CEO with a hammer and injured 50 other Executives and workers.
Eye witness reports claim that Police took over an hour to respond and when they did they only sent a couple of officers who were vastly outnumbered. Today on CNN, it was reported that Police charged 63 employees with the murder.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
$13 Billion of U.S. Taxpayers Money was Stolen or Wasted in Iraq.
This article in yesterday's "Washington Post" was sickening to read but hardly comes as a surprise.
It is also sad to read that there was most likely involvement by Iraqi Government officials and U.S. contractors. The investigator who testified as to the waste and theft was fearful of his life as 32 of his fellow investigative co-workers have been killed.
One scheme involved officials from the Iraqi Defense Ministry setting up a front company that received $1.7 Billion in U.S. funds to buy guns, armoured vehicles and other equipment. Only a small percentage was ever purchased and in one case, they had bullet-proof vests delivered that were defective and useless.
In another case involving Iraqis and U.S. contractors, $24.4 million was spent on an electricity project that "only existed on paper". The worst part was that money sent to the Defense Ministry was discovered to have been diverted to Al-Qaeda and found its way to bank accounts in Jordan and other places.
Let us hope the Government spends the proposed $700 Billion bail out funds in a more responsible and accountable manner.
Death Toll of Hotel Bombing in Pakistan Continues to Rise
It was no coincidence that the bombing in Islamabad which killed more than 40 and injured more than 250 was a popular place for foreigners to meet.
U.S. military personnel were attending the Marriott when the bomb exploded. The horrific injuries were not limited to foreigners however, as many Muslims were breaking their Ramadan fast and eating there at the time.
Of course, the terrorists have shown us in the past that they are not opposed to killing other Muslims as was the case in the World Trade Center bombings in 2001
The Islamabad Marriott was said to have been well fortified. If it wasn't afterall, let us hope that Hotel chains like the Marriott review the security of their overseas locations.
One thing is for sure, any overseas location that is considered a gathering place for foreigners, especially Americans in places like Pakistan, India, etc., will continue to be Prime Targets. Serious surveys need to be conducted and overall security needs to be enhanced. Vehicular access needs to be closely monitored and controlled in the more hostile regions. Marriott and all the others need to focus on counter surveillance measures to ensure the safety of their guests.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
NFL Players and Senseless Violence
Scott Brown writes about the dangers that well known NFL players face on a regular basis. For some, it has even led to their untimely deaths.
Interestingly, many players seem reluctant to hire professional security agents. There is a fear that it will make them seem "self important" and may arouse "indignation". Is it just me or does this strike anybody else as a stupid reason to forego concerns and plans to safeguard one's own personal safety?
Does anybody think any less of a country's President because he/she is flanked by highly trained personal protection specialists? Of course not. Why? Because history has proven to us that there are disturbed individuals in society who would kill a well known person/celebrity just for their 15 minutes of fame.
Why then should an NFL player not be entitled to have a security person(s) looking out for them? I am fairly sure that the family of Sean Taylor wishes that he had employed personal security and that they had confronted those criminals who broke into his house rather than Mr. Taylor.
There is no shame in taking precautions. Ask any security consultant for their opinion on whether a person is better off saying; "I wished I had..." or saying; "I am going to, just in case".
Consider of all of the wonderful music John Lennon could have produced these past years had he employed a Personal Protection Agent to watch his back and protect him from the lunatics of this world. Artists like Lennon and world class athletes need to be protected so that they can continue to entertain us and thrill us with the gifts that they have been given. They deserve our support, not our indignation.
The Importance of Trust
As an instructor and trainer, I am constantly reinforcing the importance of living by one's word.
Integrity, Honor, Loyalty - all of these fine characteristics are the building blocks upon which reputations are raised. It is of the utmost importance in any walk of life to "live by your word", but in the security profession - especially where the protecting of life is concerned, it is everything.
I attended National Stadium last night and watched the Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets. I was fortunate to have been invited to enjoy the game from the president's box. During the pre-dinner networking, I ran into a business owner whom I had met a few years previously. He had been introduced to me at that time as his business involved him being around some area celebrity sporting stars.
Being interested in a chance to possibly offer executive protection services to these stars, I arranged to meet with this business owner to discuss how we might be able to assist one another. I remember it was during the winter and the roads were a little suspect in places as I drove the 25-30 miles to be closer to his location.
I arrived a little early, as is my custom and waited for him to arrive. It became clear after about an hour that he was experiencing some difficulty or had some other reason for being so late. I left a few voice mails and called it quits after around 90 minutes. He never returned any of my calls but when I reached him about a week later he admitted that something else had come up. Unfortunately, he did not think it worth his while to let me know this with a phone call.
So, here I am last night and this same person is introduced to me once again. Maybe he didn't remember back three years ago because he started to tell me about some connection that he knew that may be a "good fit" for my company. His small talk fell on deaf ears. He had already lost all credibility with me and eventhough I have not thought about it once in the inetrvening years, as soon as I saw him it came back as clear as day.
In his book; "The Speed of Trust", the author Stephen M.R. Covey sums it up best - "keeping commitments is based on the principles of integrity, performance, courage and humility. It is the perfect balance of character and competence. Particularly, it involves integrity (character) and your ability to do what you say you are going to do (competence)."
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Employee Fraud Spiralling Out of Control in the UK
You have read it before on TheBulletProofBlog - the tougher times get, the more likelihood that people will resort to criminal measures.
We reported it regarding the theft of copper from Churches, Hospitals, Schools - even from new homes still under construction. We brought to your attention the fact that thieves have become bolder, evidenced by the theft of manhole covers in public streets and drilling into fuel tanks on vehicles as petrol and diesel prices rise.
In "Personneltoday", it is reported that employers have been put on "red alert" as the downturn in the economy is prompting employees to make ends meet by dishonest means. One figure that employers every where are bound to find shocking is the fact that employee fraud has cost UK companies more than 77 Million Pounds Sterling (approx. $150,000,000.00),just in the first half of this year alone.
The most disturbing aspect of this figure is the fact that it is up from 10 Million Pounds Sterling (approx. $18,000,000.00)in the same period last year. This represents more than an 8 fold increase in employee fraud in a 12 month period.
The report was conducted by the accountancy firm BDO Stoy Hayward. Mr. Simon Bevan, the head of fraud services there attributes the escalation in criminal activity amongst employees to; "spiralling personal debt as a result of mortgage,food and fuel price hike". Sound familiar?
The population of the UK is one sixth that of the United States. It is frightening to imagine what the figures will look like from U.S. businesses at the end of this year and beyond. In 2002, employee fraud and abuse cost U.S. businesses $6 Billion Dollars (independently reported by the "Association of Certified Fraud Examiners" of which SEXTON is a member).
What would be the outcome to U.S, businesses if fraud costs escalated 8 fold to $48 Billion Dollars by year's end? How many would go under? How much further damage would that inflict on the already struggling economy? The economic circumstances in the U.S. are certainly similar to those of the UK.
U.S. businesses beware. Be proactive and fight fraud and abuse before it is too late. Your very survival just may depend upon it.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Piracy at sea is becoming rampant
The following Yahoo story about the latest Pirate attacks off Somalia shows just how vicious these vermin are becoming.
As a result of these ongoing attacks, Sexton Executive Security Training has decided to launch our Maritime Protection Course in San Diego in mid December. Being an operational firm as well as a training academy, we are aware that not many executive security personnel have received any training for protecting clients who have their own yachts.
The course will cover the various areas of the vessel, how to check for explosive devices that may have been placed by persons with ill intent, how to recognize and thwart a water borne attack, how to protect against underwater attacks, etc. Dangerous times call for extraordinary measures and clients can not afford to take their safety for granted.
Any security personnel or yacht owners who would like to find out additional information, may reach our training unit at; training@sextonsecurity.com or toll free by phone at; 1-866-290-0007.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
How safe is "safe"?
Everybody talks about how safe it is in Dubai. Yet the murder of Lebanese pop singer, Suzanne Tamim would indicate otherwise.
The unfortunate singer appears to have been the victm of a well orchestrated murder plot. It is believed that her killer, alleged to be a former Policeman, was paid $2 million to kill her. If the local rumours are true, then she would have had an idea that the person behind it was capable of such an act.
One wonders why people who are in the public eye sometimes do not consider their personal safety. No doubt, denial has much to do with it. Some probably refuse to believe that they are that "important" to require personal protection, while others have difficuly believing that anyone would want to harm them.
I would hazzard a guess that the latter is what happened to John Lennon. Lennon was the epitome of peace and love, yet a crazed lunatic saw fit to shoot him in the back for no reason other than he knew it would bring him fame.
Sometimes it is detrimental to overthink things. Just because we have noble thoughts, does not mean that the rest of the world thinks in a similar manner. We literally need to always watch our backs.
