The standard of proper executive protection has evolved into a multi-faceted integrated approach that leads into several different areas of security. This article will focus on corporate executives, celebrities, & professional athletes. The common thread of these three groups all have in common are that they are “targets” for unscrupulous people from many different groups and from many different areas. A general approach has been to focus on securing the “principal” to and from their destinations. An innovative approach that we take is to protect our clients “assets” as well as their personal protection. Industry statistics obtained from the American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS) reflect that 92% of security related incidents involving high-profile individuals result in legal action because of the perception that celebrities and executives have the desire and means to settle a matter quickly and refrain from court cases (sometimes just to avoid the publicity).

Our approach concentrates on two specific areas that will not only mitigate any potential lawsuits but also discourage any future attempts at the principal’s assets. These include quality background checks & the use of board certified security professionals trained in the art of executive protection. It has been our experience that the integration of these two security procedures can lead to a successful defense of these types of legal actions that are targeted at high-profile clients. For example, if a judge or jury is shown that all proper security measures were put in place for any “foreseeable” event, they overwhelmingly rule in favor of the defendant.

Conversely, if a bodyguard has a criminal record (especially for any type of assault conviction) or has had no certified training in executive protection, judges and juries have handed very large awards to individuals who make a living on the uninformed and unsuspecting wealthy high-profile person no matter what type of legal defense they try to establish. These statistics come directly from ASIS, which is the American Society of Industrial Security, the worlds leading professional security organization.

This next section will focus on the use of “quality” background checks. Most companies rely on the use of what the industry refers to as the minimal level background check. Industry studies have shown that in the courthouse this may not be enough “due diligence” conducted to successfully defend a security lawsuit. Our recommendations are that a 7-year criminal check be done on all employees. This includes all states and counties that the individual has lived or worked in. Studies have shown that while a person who’s lived in New Jersey the past 3 years may have a clean record there but he could have a criminal history in other states or counties that won’t show up in a “minimal background” check. Under the vicarious liability statute used in our country, the employer will be “extremely liable” if this employee committed a similar offense while under their employment. Our recommendations would also include Social Security verification on all employees. Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in this country and checking name to SS# & SS# to name is essential in establishing that your prospective employee’s identity has been verified. Other areas of proper background checks include motor vehicle records, credit checks (you will require a signed Fair Credit Reporting Act release), education & degree verification and ensuring that all professional licenses are legitimate and current. Studies have shown that 18% of all applicants are not truthful in at least one of these two areas on their job applications.

Just like any well organized business, in order to operate properly there must be a plan in place. There is no difference when it comes to security and executive protection. The better you plan out an executive’s scheduled and anticipated movements, the more likely you can anticipate foreseeable incidents or threats to the executive. The process of checking routes of travel, hotel locations, entrances & exit points, travel time from one location to another and evaluating any known threats is called an ADVANCE. A proper advance will greatly reduce how vulnerable the executive is when going about the business of their trade. There are no short cuts to a proper advance. A certified security professional will understand “best practices” and “industry standards” as it relates to executive protection. The company looking for an executive protection team should “vet” the qualifications of the security company before making their selection.

In an ever-changing environment the need for security personnel to be highly trained is a fact that cannot be underestimated. In order for a security company to remain credible in their claims of expertise in the field of security, the company should be able to demonstrate that their employees receive training on an “ongoing” and “continuous” manner.