Bodyguards: How to Protect Others - Part 4.2 - Basic Tactics

By Michael J. Franklin

This book covers in detail what professional bodyguards need to know about the every day defensive tactics that they will need to protect others. It covers the topics of escorting, bodyguarding protective formations and all possible emergency drills when on foot, Embus, Debus Points and Route selection and planning.

The complete understanding and the being able to put these skills into practice are the absolute basic requirements for any person who works as a professional bodyguard. After all, this is what we do. The tactics depicted in this book are standarized, mostly common sense and are used extensively around the world...why, because they work and are very effective if done properly!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael J. Franklin
• Release date: Jan 9, 2011
• ISBN: 9783941101128

Michael J. Franklin

Michael J. Franklin is a graduate of the Canadian Forces School of Intelligence and Security (Protective Services), The Royal Military Police Close Protection Wing and The German National Police (BKA-Personenschutz) Close Protection School. Over the past 25 years he has taught Close Protection Skills, Tactics and Planning, International Law, Security Related Technologies, Vulnerability Studies, Threat Assessments, Weapons, Explosives, IED Searching Techniques, Offensive, Defensive and Tactical Close Protection Driving Skills. He has been personally involved in protecting the world‘s elite for over 35 years

Book preview

Part 4.2 - Basic Tactics

By Michael J. Franklin

Second Edition

ISBN: 978-3-941101-12-8

Published by Michael J. Franklin at Smashwords

© 2019 Michael J. Franklin

Cover and Interior Design by Irma Walter

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including scanning, photography, photocopying or any other electronic or mechanical methods without written permission of the author or the publishers, except in the case of brief quotations embedded in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Neither the author nor the publishers can accept any responsibility for any loss, injury or damage caused as a result of the information and techniques described and illustrated in this book, or for any prosecutions or proceedings brought or initiated against any person or body that may result from using the information in this book. By its very nature Close Protection and any training for Close Protection is inherently very dangerous. You should seek professional advice before embarking on any techniques and procedures contained herein. We have made every effort to ensure that the information is correct at the time of publishing. Nevertheless, some of the information is, by its very nature, anecdotal, changeable or disputable and cannot therefore claim to be authoritative or indeed exhaustive.

Table of Contents

Bodyguarding Tactics 5

International Security Classifications of Endangered People 5

Introduction to Walking Drills and Formations on Foot 6

The Bodyguard’s Formula for Formations 9

The Bodyguard’s – Six Steps in an Escorting Emergency 10

How to Survive Being Shot At or a Shooting 13

Walking Drills and Immediate Actions 15

Driving Drills 31

Embus and Debus Points 33

Bodyguard Positioning and Seating Plans in Vehicles 37

The Violent and Deadly History of Embus/Debus Points 46

Walking the Line 49

Vehicle Security 53

Route Selection and Planning 57

The Phases of Route Selection 58

Types of Journeys 59

Special Road Movement-Special Trips 62

Principles of Route Selection and Planning 65

Main Operational Maps 68

Bodyguarding Firearms 75

Four Basic Firearms Safety Rules 75

What is Field Stripping? 79

What are the Different Types of Firearms? 80

Firearms that fire in Double Action Mode with Decocking Levers 85

Stopping Power and Ammunition 91

Small Arms Ammunition 93

Carrying Concealed Weapons 96

Stripping and Assembling 97

Care and Cleaning of Firearms 101

Weapons Gripping, Aiming and Shooting 109

Holsters for bodyguards 115

Bodyguarding Armour and Bullet-Proofing 121

A Bodyguard`s Personal Body Armour 122

Bodyguarding Tactics

He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy, who is not, will be victorious. – Sun Tzu

The definition of Close Protection (Bodyguarding)

It’s the application of principles and procedures by specially trained security people (bodyguards) to the daily lives of endangered people (usually VIPs) that should protect them from the possibility of assassination, kidnapping, murder, personal injury, embarrassment and unwanted intrusion.

A Bodyguard’s Job

It’s the application of those principles and procedures.

A Bodyguard’s Highest Priorities

A bodyguard’s highest priorities are the preservation of life and well being of the person they are hired or contracted to protect, their colleagues and themselves.

What are some Important Requirements?

What are some of the important requirements that bodyguards should bring with them and possess to be part of escorting duties of VIPs and prominent personalities?

appearance is one of the most important aspects of being a bodyguard. You should be neat and professional...well groomed, clean shaven and manicured.

the clothing should be directly proportional to the person you’re protecting.

bodyguards need to maintain regular physical fitness programs. The thought being if you can’t look after yourselves...how on earth could ever hope to protect and look after someone else.

bodyguards should have in-depth training and knowledge of law and the legal systems they are working in and exactly how the local laws pertain to them.

escorting bodyguards should be well behaved, patient and possess an extensive general knowledge.

International Security Classifications of Endangered People

The topic of escorting is a complex and difficult one; much like the topics of politics and religion...tactics seems to have many fathers. Everyone has an opinion about it. In Close Protection we always refer to the threat level or against your Boss. The following is an internationally recognised and used guide for classifications of security to protect endangered people and objects. In different countries these categories are established normally by high ranking members of the police and governments based on strict criteria. This service is also offered to private and business leaders upon request and naturally you or your Boss will have to pay for it. The categories are:

Security Classification- Category One (Cat 1)

The threatened person is in grave personal danger. Attacks should not only be planned for but expected given the factors of accessibility and vulnerability. Meaning, if the intruders are given the opportunity...they will attack (Bhutto 2007 is the best example of this). Security measures for those people in this Cat are normally reserved for world leaders and the cost of the security is generally paid for by governments...or the tax payers. For visiting world leaders in this Cat...host nations as a rule pick up the tab and supply most if not all the technical support. The only exception to this rule is the President of the United States of America (POTUS).

Security Classification - Category Two (Cat 2)

The threatened person is in personal danger. Attacks cannot be ruled out given the factors of accessibility and vulnerability. Alto Morrow (Italy) is the best example of this. The Red Brigades primary target was better protected so they kidnapped and murdered Morrow instead.

Security Classification - Category Three (Cat 3)

Danger of attacks against those people in this Cat is not to be ruled out given the factors of accessibility and vulnerability.

In addition to the three Categories of personal security there are also three protective measures categories:

Protective Measures Classification One – Category Four (Cat 4)

These measures recommend that the endangered person be always escorted by a bodyguard or a team of bodyguards when in the public domain.

Protective Measures Classification Two – Category Five (Cat 5)

These measures recommend that the endangered person be escorted by a bodyguard or a team of bodyguards only on special occasions and in the public domain.

Protective Measures Classification Three – Category Six (Cat 6)

These measures recommend that object or static security personnel are employed on an around the clock 24-7 basis.

Introduction to Walking Drills and Formations on Foot

As a bodyguard one of the most common activities that are you are going to be performing is accompanying your Boss...that’s right, walking with them (escorting), getting in and out of all sorts of vehicles, shopping, attending events and back and forth to the office. There are, depending on the number of bodyguards and the level of threat to the Boss, logical ways of walking...generally known as walking drills. Remember, bodyguards are hired to insure safety, security and for when things go wrong. They aren’t there or hired to position themselves for the cameras or to have their photos taken with the rich and famous...they (you) have a very specific job to do – try not to ever be distracted from that job!

Walking drills, no matter how many bodyguards are being employed have to be fluid and smooth. Smooth and flowing drills demonstrate professionalism, control and that the bodyguards are on top of the situation. Bodyguards should never run, if you have to move quickly it’s more commonly known as the careful hurry. Running bodyguards tend to make people very uneasy, nervous and insecure. It doesn’t look good and is amateurish...so don’t run! Therefore, it’s important for every bodyguard to learn, practice and use walking drills that demonstrate professionalism and control.

Before bodyguards can start to establish their own walking drill tactics that they will use to protect their bosses, we first have to identify the different layers of security that are widely used. The first is the "perimeter ring". This is usually the front line or extreme outer perimeter when we go to any event or place. They can be parking lot attendants at stadiums, ticket checkers in parking lots at concert venues etc. This will be the first line that someone will have to cross to get into an event...any event, the office, airport checking etc.

The second or outer ring is a more professional, more exacting control of everyone entering a restricted or controlled area, such as the office that uses high tech entry control systems where cards and card readers are used, VIP areas at conferences where area passes and badges are required. This normally is a 100 percent check (but isn’t human proof) of anyone entering including police, security services, medical services and bodyguards escorting their bosses. Everyone gets checked here (human factor).

The final or inner ring is the bodyguards that are employed to protect the Boss. They are responsible for the safety of those they have been hired to protect. That means that they secure the immediate area around the Boss, this area will vary depending on the number of people in the immediate area of the Boss.

Establishing a Safe Zone around the Boss

One of the first things you have to do at the beginning of any contract with your new Boss is to establish what tactics and distances they are willing to tolerate. Naturally, there are several determining factors that will help you, with the most important ones being the level of threat, and the geographical location of where you’re working. Most safe zones around any Boss will and should expand and retract depending on the number of people in the immediate area of your Boss. If there isn’t anyone near your Boss...back off! If people get closer so do you. The zone is a flexible one. This will be appreciated by the Boss and you aren’t going to get on their nerves because you don’t know when to back off and show discretion. This practice of walking drills is called hide and seek if there’s no threat...get yourself into a position that provides a view of the Boss that they have to look to find you. You will quickly learn with your Boss when to show yourself and that you’re on top of things and when to melt into the surroundings.

Bodyguards should be concerned and concentrated on securing and controlling the immediate area around the Boss. If you control and secure it...it will make you job that much easier.

Movements on Foot

When professional bodyguards start on any new contract, establishing Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) will be very important. The purpose of these SOPs are to provide formations and drills that bodyguards will use to protect the Boss while on foot and in public. There are some very differing formations depending on the type of Boss you’re protecting. As an example...sporting stars are quite different to business executives and royalty.

Considerations

The planning of formations first needs to include the actual number of bodyguards that are going to be employed in the formations. Bodyguards have to be flexible and adaptable. The following is a list of other factors that bodyguards need to consider:

The Boss’ personal habits, what do they like and dislike? For example does the Boss tend to stray from established plans, planned

Reviews for Bodyguards

[maamarvip2940 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

very detailed book excellent for instructors
Thank you for the author