VIP SECURITY AND PROTECTION

WEEK 3

Protection/Security is generally defined as plans and measures produced for the

purpose of anticipating, preventing or limiting any action that might endanger the life of
the VIP/Principal or that might put him/her in an embarrassing situation.

Threat - an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury or damage to the VIP.

1. Primary Purpose of a Protective Security Detail:

a. Safeguard/protect the VIP from physical harm.

b. Safeguard/protect the VIP from embarrassment and harassment.

2. Definition of Terms.

Principal/VIP/Protectee - refers to any person who is accorded protection by a

close protection team or protective detail.

Security Officer (SO) - is the operator usually positioned about an arm length
behind the principal/VIP. He is responsible for planning, administering and
supervising the protective detail.

Advance Survey - inspection of area/s where the VIP intends to visit

(engagement areas) and the resultant plans for securing said area/s.

Advance Man - individual assigned the responsibility for coordinating and

effecting all security arrangements for a particular site and motorcade.

Advance Team - One or more advance agents headed by a lead advance agent.
Consist of site advance agent, commo officers, EOD, security engineering officers
and protective liaison/intel agents.

Command Post - Centralized area which receives all information,

communications and/or questions from security posts. It also contains the intrusion
alarm, monitor, and radio/telephone.

Holding Room - Secure area at a site, usually a private room set-aside for the
Protectee’s convenience and privacy.

Secure Room - Any location that has been cleared of unauthorized persons,
swept for explosives and secured continuously by posting security personnel.
Intel Advance - Member of the advance team who establishes liaison with local
police intelligence units. Tasked with conducting threat investigation and assures
that all intelligence information are coordinated and disseminated to the protective
detail.

Security Perimeter - A working protective detail that involves the placement of the
following: security personnel, alarms, barricade/s, devices which provide physical
protection and surveillance within a certain area.

Security Room/Down Room - Room generally located adjacent to the Command

Post which serves as a rest room for agents not in post.

Security Post - Part of the protective detail’s security network. It may be fixed or
mobile.

Site Survey - Investigation and the resultant plans regarding security for a given
location to be used during a visit by the protectee. It includes the reaction plans for
a specific site (e.g. hotels, banquet, halls, dinner location etc.)

Protective Detail - An individual or group of individuals assigned to protect a

person.

Follow Car - Security vehicle driven directly behind the VIP or protectee’s car. It
functions as spare car in case the VIP car breaks down.

Limousine/VIP Car - Vehicle in which the protectee rides.

Pilot Car - Usually a marked police vehicle, which precedes the motorcade by
about five (5) minutes. It scans for obstructions, dangers and problems.

Motorcade - Formally organized group of motor vehicles traveling along a

specified route in a controlled manner.

Police Lead Vehicle - A marked police motor vehicle, which precedes the
motorcade, and provides traffic control.
Route Survey - Selection of primary and secondary route of travel for the
protectee and the measures taken to secure the route.

EOD Sweep - Search of an area/object by EOD personnel for explosives.

Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) - Usually military/ police personnel

assigned to search areas/objects for explosive device/s.

Tactical Vehicle - Generally a sedan or van which travels with the motorcade to
provide more firepower and agents for a high threat detail.
Counter Surveillance - Attempts to determine if the protectee and his security
detail are being surveyed by any individual or group of individuals.

Protective Intelligence:
• Gathering and analysis of any information that may have impact on the
security of the protectee;
• Generally obtained by direct investigation;
• Liaison with local police intelligence and other government agencies;

Press Fence/Box - Area at the engagement site which is generally roped off and
is only for press personnel holding valid press credentials.
Spare Car/Limousine - Vehicle designated as the replacement vehicle for the
primary limousine.

Motorcade Agent - Agent assigned to coordinate the organization of the

motorcade.

Tactical Team - The reaction unit which provides additional firepower also known
as counter-assault teams.

PRINCIPLES OF PROTECTION
1. The Principal/VIP must be protected from all threats or situations likely to
endanger his person and liberty (kidnappings, murder, willful threats to kill,
extortion and / or assault) and from harassment / embarrassments (undue
heckling, soiling of clothes, bodily injury) whether caused by personal design,
accident or negligence.

2. Protection must not necessarily interfere with the freedom of the

Principal/VIP.

3. The privacy of the Principal/VIP must always be respected.

4. Protection must not cause the Principal/VIP embarrassment or require to

apologize for his security detail.

5. Protection must not necessarily interfere with the official duties of the
principal/VIP and their staff.

6. A protection unit has the responsibility to Anticipate problems or hazards,

Recognize potential threatening situations and human threats, Investigate
areas and persons of concern, Neutralize/solve or avoid problems

7. The protection unit does not stand and fight, take revenge or unduly expose
the principal/VIP to dangerous situations.
4 Cardinal Rules of Close Protection:

1. ANTICIPATE problems or hazards.

2. RECOGNIZE potential threatening situations and human threats
3. INVESTIGATE areas or persons of concern
4. NEUTRALIZE in order to solve or avoid the problem

ULTIMATE THREATS TO VIP

1. ASSASSINATION –

The greatest risk of assassination to the principal is when in transit from one area
to another and the most predictable route poses the greatest risk for assassination of
the principal (usually residence to office).

CAUSES OF ASSASSINATION:

A. REVOLUTIONARY OR POLITICAL CAUSES

- Desire to change existing government
- Target individuals represent the government

B. ECONOMIC CAUSES
- Motivated by the belief that target is responsible for their poor economic conditions

C. IDEOLOGICAL CAUSES
- stems from conflicts on religious/social beliefs
- Target is endangering principles that assassin believes to be of paramount
importance

D. PERSONAL CAUSES
- Motivated by revenge, jealousy, hate & other personal
motives

E. PSYCHOLOGICAL CAUSES
- Mental derangement

2. KIDNAPPING
 -Most difficult operation to accomplish successfully

Requirements:
Assailants have physical control
Careful escape from the scene
They maintain control
Determine the possible outcome

Characteristics of Kidnapping:

1. Can occur at static locations and while in transit.

2. Usually conducted by a group of people.

3. Motives can range from gaining money, release of jailed comrades or political
prisoners, and extended publicity for political agendas.

3. TERRORISM

-The use of threat or violence to achieve goals

Classified as:
Political
Religious
Ideological

Criminal act intended to endanger the audience

the victim is not the real target

To Counter Threats:

Protective Formations
Surveillance Detection
Protective Intelligence
Security Perimeters
Advance Work
Motorcades
Security Agent