PROTECTIVE SECURITY

FORMATIONS

PROTECTIVE SECURITY
FORMATIONS VIP Protection
 Objectives

 Identify purposes of physical

protection.
 Identify types of security formations.
 Identify detail responsibilities in
security formations.
 Demonstrate detail positioning in
security formations.
Objectives
 Identify purposes of physical
protection.
 Identify types of security
formations.
 Identify detail responsibilities
in security formations.
 Demonstrate detail positioning
Protective Security Formations
in security formations. Page 2
Jan 11, 02
 Purposes of Physical Protection

 Safeguard dignitary from physical

harm.
 Protect from harassment /
embarrassment.

Purposes of Physical
Protection
 Safeguard dignitary from
physical harm.
 Protect from harassment /
embarrassment.

Protective Security Formations Page 3

Jan 11, 02
 Crowd Control

 Friendly crowds are

usually non-
threatening.
 Freedom and privileges
as situation dictates.
 Uniformed officers have
psychological impact.

Crowd Control
 Friendly crowds are usually
non-threatening.
 Freedom and privileges as
situation dictates.
 Uniformed officers have
psychological impact.
Protective Security Formations Page 4
Jan 11, 02
 Crowd Control

 Agents should avoid unnecessary

crowd involvement.
 Agents scan crowd for unusual
activity.

Crowd Control
 Agents should avoid
unnecessary crowd
involvement.

 Agents scan crowd for unusual

activity.

Protective Security Formations Page 5

Jan 11, 02
 Unfriendly or Hostile Crowds

 Agent places self between

protectee and threat.
 If necessary, cover and
evacuate.
 Thrown objects batted down.
 Focus on mission not crowd’s
message.

Unfriendly or Hostile Crowds

 Agent places self between
protectee and threat.
 If necessary, cover and
evacuate.
 Thrown objects batted down.
 Focus on mission not crowd’s
message. Protective Security Formations Page 6
Jan 11, 02
 Various Types of
Protective Security Formations

Various Types of
Protective Security Formations Protective Security Formations Page 7
Jan 11, 02
 Formation Guidelines

 Formation moves with protectee.

 Arms length rule.
 Formation depends on manpower
availability.
 AIC covers protectee under attack.

Formation Guidelines
 Formation moves with
protectee.
 Arms length rule.
 Formation depends on
manpower availability.
 AIC covers protectee under
attack. Protective Security Formations Page 8
Jan 11, 02
 Formation Guidelines

 Agents must maintain good physical

condition.
 Always cover your area of
responsibility.
 Plan ahead – “what if…”
 Be flexible.
 Teamwork is essential.
Formation Guidelines
 Agents must maintain good
physical condition.
 Always cover your area of
responsibility.
 Plan ahead – “what if…”
 Be flexible.
 Teamwork is essential. Protective Security Formations Page 9
Jan 11, 02
 Formation Guidelines

 Watch peoples’ hands in crowd.

 Congested area requires tight
formation.
 Open area allows looser formation.
 Other individuals maybe inside
formation.

Formation Guidelines
 Watch peoples’ hands in crowd.
 Congested area requires tight
formation.
 Open area allows looser
formation.
 Other individuals maybe inside
formation.
Protective Security Formations Page 10
Jan 11, 02
 Diamond Formation

 Inner perimeter protection for

principal.
 Be aware of protectee’s location.
 Cover areas of responsibility.
 Remain alert.
 Watch for unexpected hazards.

Diamond Formation
 Inner perimeter protection for
principal.
 Be aware of protectee’s
location.
 Cover areas of responsibility.
 Remain alert.
 Watch for unexpected hazards. Protective Security Formations Page 11
Jan 11, 02
 General Principles of Diamond
Formations
 Normally used while walking.
 Site advance agent leads formation.
 Threat / environmental conditions
determine formation distance.

General Principles of
Diamond Formations
 Normally used while walking.
 Site advance agent leads
formation.
 Threat / environmental
conditions determine formation
distance.
Protective Security Formations Page 12
Jan 11, 02
 General Principles of Diamond
Formations
 Influenced by protectee’s wishes.
 AIC – right rear of protectee.
 SL at rear of formation.

General Principles of
Diamond Formations+
 Influenced by protectee’s
wishes.
 AIC – right rear of protectee.
 SL at rear of formation.

Protective Security Formations Page 13

Jan 11, 02
 General Principles of Diamond
Formations
 Coverage must remain 360 degrees.
 Ballet – smooth, flowing detail.
 Teamwork is essential.

General Principles of
Diamond Formations
 Coverage must remain 360
degrees.
 Ballet – smooth, flowing detail.
 Teamwork is essential.

Protective Security Formations Page 14

Jan 11, 02
 Agent Composition Within Protective
Formations

Agent Composition Within

Protective Formations
Protective Security Formations Page 15
Jan 11, 02
 One Agent (Escort)

 AIC only.
 360 degree coverage
provided.

One Agent (Escort)

 AIC only.
 360 degree coverage provided.

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Jan 11, 02
 Two Agents

 AIC and advance agent

(ADV).
 Each responsible for 180-
degree coverage.

Two Agents
 AIC and advance agent (ADV).
 Each responsible for 180-
degree coverage.

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Jan 11, 02
 Three Agents

 AIC, ADV and SA (usually

shift leader).
 Each responsible for 120-
degree coverage.

Three Agents
 AIC, ADV and SA (usually shift
leader).
 Each responsible for 120-
degree coverage.

Protective Security Formations Page 18

Jan 11, 02
 Four Agents (Simple Diamond)

 AIC, ADV, SL and LR.

 AIC focuses on protectee.
 SL, ADV, & LR – 120
degrees each.

Four Agents (Simple Diamond)

 AIC, ADV, SL and LR.
 AIC focuses on protectee.
 SL, ADV, & LR – 120 degrees
each.

Protective Security Formations Page 19

Jan 11, 02
 Five Agents (Diamond)

 AIC, ADV, SL, LR and RR.

 AIC covers only
protectee.
 Remaining agents have
90 degree coverage.
 Formation flexibility –
“box” or “H.”
Five Agents (Diamond)
 AIC, ADV, SL, LR and RR.
 AIC covers only protectee.
 Remaining agents have 90
degree coverage.
 Formation flexibility – “box” or
“H.”
Protective Security Formations Page 20
Jan 11, 02
 Six Agents (Extended Diamond)

 AIC, SL, ADV, LR, RR and

well.
 AIC covers only protectee.
 Remaining agents have 60
degree coverage.
 Greater flexibility.

Six Agents (Extended

Diamond)
 AIC, SL, ADV, LR, RR and well.
 AIC covers only protectee.
 Remaining agents have 60
degree coverage.
 Greater flexibility.
Protective Security Formations Page 21
Jan 11, 02
 Defensive Circle

 Covers movement through crowd.

 AIC covers protectee / becomes part
of circle.
 Agents face outward, link arms.

Defensive Circle
 Covers movement through
crowd.
 AIC covers protectee /
becomes part of circle.
 Agents face outward, link arms.

Protective Security Formations Page 22

Jan 11, 02
 Sound Off - Cover - Evacuate

 Method used to react to attacks.

Sound Off - Cover - Evacuate

 Method used to react to attacks.

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Jan 11, 02
 Sound Off

 Protectee’s direction always 12

o’clock.
 Clock method clarifies attack point.
 First agent perceiving attack shouts
“gun!”

Sound Off
 Protectee’s direction always 12
o’clock.
 Clock method clarifies attack
point.
 First agent perceiving attack
shouts “gun!”
Protective Security Formations Page 24
Jan 11, 02
 Cover

 Agent nearest attacker neutralizes

him.
 One / two agents subdue attacker.
 Do not assist your “buddy.”

Cover
 Agent nearest attacker
neutralizes him.
 One / two agents subdue
attacker.
 Do not assist your “buddy.”

Protective Security Formations Page 25

Jan 11, 02
 Cover

 First attack may be diversion.

 Other agents “cave in” on protectee.
 AIC turns and lowers protectee.
 Vehicle used as escape means.

Cover
 First attack may be diversion.
 Other agents “cave in” on
protectee.
 AIC turns and lowers
protectee.
 Vehicle used as escape means.
Protective Security Formations Page 26
Jan 11, 02
 Cover

 AIC pushes protectee into vehicle.

 AIC provides body cover in vehicle.
 Police arrest attackers, if possible.

Cover
 AIC pushes protectee into
vehicle.
 AIC provides body cover in
vehicle.
 Police arrest attackers, if
possible.
Protective Security Formations Page 27
Jan 11, 02
 Evacuate
 Evacuate protectee opposite
attack.
 Do not pull protectee in
different directions.
 Opposite direction
movement/out of the kill zone.
 AIC between protectee and
attacker.

Evacuate
 Evacuate protectee opposite
attack.
 Do not pull protectee in
different directions.
 Opposite direction
movement/out of the kill zone.
 AIC between protectee and
attacker. Protective Security Formations Page 28
Jan 11, 02
 Evacuate

 Move to safe haven when possible.

 Setup defensive perimeter around
safe haven.
 Remain calm.
 Prepare for next attack.

Evacuate
 Move to safe haven when
possible.
 Setup defensive perimeter
around safe haven.
 Remain calm.
 Prepare for next attack.
Protective Security Formations Page 29
Jan 11, 02
 Special Situations

 Require flexibility in walking

formations.
 Include stairways, revolving doors,
elevators.

Special Situations
 Require flexibility in walking
formations.
 Include stairways, revolving
doors, elevators.

Protective Security Formations Page 30

Jan 11, 02
 Revolving Doors

 Avoid, if possible.
 Place doors in open position.
 Side doors, best option.

Revolving Doors
 Avoid, if possible.
 Place doors in open position.
 Side doors, best option.

Protective Security Formations Page 31

Jan 11, 02
 Receiving Line

 Persons entering line –

ADV / LR.
 Persons greeting protectee
– AIC / SL / RR.
 Persons already passed –
well agent.

Receiving Line
 Persons entering line – ADV /
LR.
 Persons greeting protectee –
AIC / SL / RR.
 Persons already passed – well
agent.
Protective Security Formations Page 32
Jan 11, 02
 Fence Line

 ADV leads formation along line.

 AIC behind protectee’s right
shoulder.
 SL behind protectee’s left shoulder.

Fence Line
 ADV leads formation along
line.
 AIC behind protectee’s right
shoulder.
 SL behind protectee’s left
shoulder.
Protective Security Formations Page 33
Jan 11, 02
 Fence Line

 Moving agent – second

row of crowd.
 Pre-posted agent vs.
Moving agent.

Fence Line
 Moving agent – second row of
crowd.
 Pre-posted agent vs. Moving
agent.

Protective Security Formations Page 34

Jan 11, 02
 Banquet, Speech or Press Conference

 AIC on stage, if
possible.
 ADV agent insures
seated post.
 Stage posts – right, left,
and rear.

Banquet, Speech or Press

Conference
 AIC on stage, if possible.
 ADV agent insures seated post.
 Stage posts – right, left,
and rear.

Protective Security Formations Page 35

Jan 11, 02
 Banquet, Speech or Press Conference

 Stage post – entrance /

exit.
 Other posts – middle
perimeter.

Banquet, Speech or Press

Conference
 Stage post – entrance / exit.
 Other posts – middle
perimeter.

Protective Security Formations Page 36

Jan 11, 02
 Stairways / Escalators

 Maintain 360 degree

coverage.
 ADV covers top of stairs.
 Rear agent controls
access below.
 No one parallels
protectee on steps.
Stairways / Escalators
 Maintain 360 degree coverage.
 ADV covers top of stairs.
 Rear agent controls access
below.
 No one parallels protectee on
steps.
Protective Security Formations Page 37
Jan 11, 02
 Formal Staircase

 No security on staircase.
 AIC out of sight, behind protectee.
 ADV/RR top of steps.
 SL/LR bottom of steps.

Formal Staircase
 No security on staircase.
 AIC out of sight, behind
protectee.
 ADV/RR top of steps.
 SL/LR bottom of steps.

Protective Security Formations Page 38

Jan 11, 02
 Elevators

 Reserve elevator ahead of time.

 Protectee – far corner, agents block.
 ADV – last on, first off.

Elevators
 Reserve elevator ahead of time.
 Protectee – far corner, agents
block.
 ADV – last on, first off.

Protective Security Formations Page 39

Jan 11, 02
 Walking Movements

 Require adjustments to diamond

formation.
 ADV agent leads.
 Agent on opposite side of street.

Walking Movements
 Require adjustments to
diamond formation.
 ADV agent leads.
 Agent on opposite side of
street.

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Jan 11, 02
 Walking Movements

 Agents move up / drop back.

 Motorcade trails formation.

Walking Movements
 Agents move up / drop back.
 Motorcade trails formation.

Protective Security Formations Page 41

Jan 11, 02
 Summary

 Size and type formation used depend

in large measure on the manpower
available.
 In case of attack while in formation,
role of detail agents is SOUND OFF,
COVER, AND EVACUATE!!

Summary
Size and type formation used
depend in large measure on the
manpower available.

In case of attack while in

formation, role of detail agents is
SOUND OFF, COVER, AND
EVACUATE!! Protective Security Formations Page 42
Jan 11, 02
 Summary

 Detail agent’s function is ensure

safety of the PROTECTEE ---- not
apprehend attackers.

Summary
 Detail agent’s function is
ensure safety of the
PROTECTEE ---- not apprehend
attackers.

Protective Security Formations Page 43

Jan 11, 02