| The "hard" skills necessary for an executive | | | | state of mind will be obvious. If not, it is barely |
| protection specialist (EPS) and/or personal | | | | visible. It would be beneficial to weigh the student |
| protection specialist (PPS) are often perceived as | | | | before you start and right after you stop. People |
| being that of a policeman or (elite) soldier. Though | | | | with poor stress control tend to loose more |
| there can be certain similarities i.e. the use of | | | | weight, even in a short period of time, than those |
| handguns, hand-to-hand combat and the ability to | | | | with a better stress condition. Again let the |
| control a vehicle, most people having worked both | | | | student make a written report, right after the |
| in executive protection and either of the latter | | | | debriefing, of his physical and emotional wellbeing.3. |
| careers, will deny that the skills are parallel. They | | | | Dealing with life-or-death situations can be hard to |
| may look alike but the methodology of each skill | | | | do under training conditions in the private sector. |
| differs from segment to segment.However, the | | | | The mentioned approach may or may not be |
| psychological skills needed are almost identical. | | | | applicable to your country or culture, but will fit |
| Knowing basic psychological skills is essential in this | | | | into most cultures in the western world. If your |
| line of business, as it is in law enforcement and | | | | staff already has experienced the mentioned |
| military combat. Any person taking responsibility | | | | situations, this approach is unnecessary and can |
| for another person's life will have to consider the | | | | trigger grim flashbacks. But it is still a realistic way |
| adaptability of his/her psychological capabilities in a | | | | of dealing with the students or new EPS/PPS who |
| variety of situations. These will include but are not | | | | never have been in active combat or equally |
| limited to; adaptability in awkward situations (state | | | | dangerous situations.I suggest that you try to deal |
| of mind going from humble to authoritative or | | | | with this in five tempi:a) Take any and all of your |
| vice versa), adaptability in different work | | | | staff to an undertaker's office and let the |
| atmospheres (Keeping body and mind relaxed | | | | undertaker explain their point of view. They |
| when waiting for a client and suddenly change to | | | | normally have a rather pragmatic view on the |
| a high stress level) and the ever so popular | | | | corps as a holster in which we just reside until we |
| question of considering life-or-death situations (can | | | | pass away.b) Thereafter you go to a hospital and |
| I kill or will I freeze?).Knowing, and openly | | | | visit the emergency room. Some hospitals have |
| accepting, your physical and psychological limits | | | | guided tours others do not. But the blood-n-guts |
| are a lifesaver. Not only will it save your own life, | | | | approach is essential for anyone who later on will |
| but it could very well save the lives of your | | | | be responsible for saving another mans life.c) If |
| teammates and your client.Since training in this | | | | possible, visit a forensic examiner during working |
| area is almost non-existing in the private sector, | | | | hours (some work 8/12-hour shift and can have a |
| allow me to suggest a few easy-to-conduct | | | | rather "cold" approach to things).d) Take them |
| training scenarios:1. Take a student or new EPS | | | | hunting for deer or similar creatures and let them |
| PPS to a party and assign him to a "VIP". It can | | | | assist when you skin the prey.e) Last; let people |
| be your own private party and the "VIP" can be | | | | reflect a few days on what they have seen, |
| whomever you choose, but be sure to let the | | | | before they write a report on their own view on |
| "VIP" know that the EPS/PPS are there to look | | | | life-or-death situations. They should now be |
| out for them. Depending on your assessment of | | | | motivated enough to fight back with all that they |
| the EPS the assignment can be a very attractive | | | | got, if attacked!Always remember to let your |
| woman (possible problem: jealousy or multiple | | | | students train under as realistic conditions as |
| worshippers) or a man with a tendency towards | | | | possible. If possible try to use fear induction in the |
| drinking (possible problem: inappropriate and/or | | | | training.These descriptions may seem harsh and |
| reckless behavior). Now observe the EPS/PPS | | | | cold. And I admit that a certain percentage of the |
| throughout the night. If you deem it necessary, | | | | staff/students will quit when exposed to this kind |
| have someone help you creating a scene, so as | | | | of training. But I would not have personnel protect |
| to provoke the right behavior from your "VIP" | | | | me, no matter how physically fit, if they never |
| and hopefully your EPS/PPS.The direct goal of this | | | | had been tested emotionally. Nor should you or |
| scenario will be to find signs of insecurity and/or | | | | your client!Besides from the explained skills, any |
| confusion in the moment where the EPS/PPS has | | | | EPS/PPS should also develop good character |
| to decide whether or not to intervene. The | | | | judgment, direct/indirect attack recognition skills, |
| secondary goal could be to have the EPS/PPS | | | | be able to recognize manipulation and have an |
| make a written report, right after the debriefing, | | | | overall assertive approach to people. Not all can |
| describing any flaws in his own emotional pattern. | | | | have a degree in psychology, but anyone working |
| Thereby assessing his understanding of | | | | in the field of executive protection should have |
| self-esteem and related cognitive abilities.2. | | | | some sort of psychological training. This kind of |
| Working environment. Take a student or new | | | | training is part of a normal police academy |
| EPS/PPS on a job with a low-level director | | | | education as well as part of the average army |
| manager. Preferably on a 3-5 day assignment. Let | | | | combat training and should, in my personal point |
| him be a part of the entire planning and let him be | | | | of view, be compulsory in executive protection |
| part of the personal escort section (introduce him | | | | training.Henrik Bramsborg is the managing director |
| to the director/manager as a disciple if | | | | of Bramsborg Security & safety, a security |
| necessary). Now, at any and all meetings, this | | | | company based in Denmark. Henrik is a stalking- |
| particular student should be put on post in front | | | | and surveillance detection specialist and the author |
| of doors, in hallways, offices etc. Let him | | | | of several Danish books on security. Henrik is also |
| experience the joys of waiting. Be sure that he | | | | an experienced instructor in personal protection, |
| gets all information last. Also make him change | | | | having trained NATO S-FOR forces, police |
| pace whenever possible. Soon after, observe how | | | | officers, correctional facility officers and private |
| the "Relax-hurry" syndrome kicks in. Depending on | | | | bodyguards. He holds a management degree and |
| the students ability to elevate and descend stress | | | | is furthermore a certified motivation |
| hormones he will feel tired after a while, almost | | | | instructor.Bramsborg Security & Safety, have |
| leaning towards a depressive state of mind. If he | | | | been quoted or profiled in several Danish media as |
| has a low stress border, the before mentioned | | | | the "Danish stalking experts". |