Chapter 4.
DUTIES OF THE BODYGUARD
The U.S. Secret Service is an old and well established organization with a long history of experience in the security business. As such, it is a very structured organization with established operational procedures understood by both protectors and protectees. A new agent must simply go through the training and study the SOP manuals to be able to ascertain his or her duties in a variety of situations.
If, after training and study there is still doubt, a senior or supervisory agent is always on hand to answer questions. On larger team operations, such as Presidential travel, newer agents would be initially assigned less demanding tasks, working their way from standing post at some remote location, to outer perimeter, to inner perimeter, and ultimately, to the actual close protection detail.
Even in the corporate security world, large companies have established written guidelines for new security officers to follow. Many also have in-house training programs, or assign a training officer, to better acquaint new personnel with their systems and procedures. Again, if there are questions, an individual can simply read the manual or ask a shift supervisor. The personal bodyguard, who frequently works alone, does not have the benefit of an SOP manual or the guiding hand of a training officer. The BG must learn from experience, finding his way through the minefield of client preferences, whims and foibles. All the time, trying to educate the client as to what is sound security procedure and what is folly.
DUTIES
The duties of the professional bodyguard can be many and varied but should all focus on one area - to provide the best protection possible within the framework and limitations of the assignment. Limitations such as client's need to function within his or her business and social world, and the limited coverage that only one bodyguard can supply. These limitations will be covered in more detail in the next chapter.
The duties of a bodyguard, as in most jobs, are generally set by the employer, unless having a BG is a first for the employer, in which case he will need some guidance. The duties begin with who or what the BG is expected to protect and what hours he will work. They may also include doubling as a driver; 24 hour on-call status; taking the kids to school in the morning; locking-up the house in the evening; making travel arrangements; and some record keeping. In addition, there are several less tangible expectations of a BG. Such things as diligence, loyalty, honesty, discretion and a sense of confidentiality may all come under the heading of professionalism but are hard to define in the written conditions of employment.
Although the position of BG is service oriented, there are limitations. On the side of many police cars are the words - To Protect and Serve. But this does not stand true for the professional BG whose motto should ideally be - To Protect but NOT Serve. This is brought about by employers' of bodyguards almost universal misuse of the BG and treating him as "help", available for errands, shopping, feeding the pets, programming the VCR and a myriad of other menial tasks. There is probably no greater cause of discontent between the BG and the client than the misconceptions as to the BG's duties.
This is not to say that a BG never runs errands. In fact, any minder who has never performed some menial helpful tasks probably did not hold jobs for very long. The trick is in knowing when it is acceptable and when it impacts on one's professional status. It will also be directly linked to the actual threat level.
An example of each. It is not acceptable for the BG to allow himself to become loaded down with shopping bags when he needs to keep his hands free to react to trouble. It is also not appropriate to have to fetch the car leaving the protectee waiting alone in a public place. That is the duty of drivers or valets. On the other hand, it could be appropriate to make a quick run to the drugstore for a needed prescription if the principal is safely in for the evening. This would only be the case if no one else is available, delivery is not an option and there is no specific threat at play. Expecting the protectee to make the run to the drugstore is only exposing him or her to added possible danger away from the safety of the castle. (More on this in Chapter 20).
On the subject of non-security related tasks, it is the duty of the BG to use reason and logic to educate the employer on the inherent risks of such distractions and non-essential tasks. It is best for all concerned to head off any confusion as to the BG's duties at the time of hiring, by arriving for the initial interview with a prepared guideline of the acceptable duties for a BG. The personnel manager or client is then offered the opportunity to add or subtract whatever they deem reasonable. At his point the applicant must attempt to educate the client as to the duties of a security professional and the reasons for not being delegated to "non-security related tasks". This can only help one's application and further enhance the BG's standing as a professional in their eyes.
The BG can further protect his position by getting the Conditions of Employment and expected duties typed up and signed by both the client, his administrative assistant, wife and security manager. One should be careful that the employer does not slip in a catch-all clause like, "...and any other duties requested", since this could leave the BG's position open to abuse at a later date. It is important for the BG not to be confrontational on these issues, but it is equally important to stand firm where necessary. Once one starts being viewed as just another helpful staff member, it is very difficult to ever regain professional standing or the respect of the principal.
Since not all situations can be foreseen, educating the client in a polite manner, often by example, becomes a never ending process. It is wise to periodically send memos across his or her desk of changes in security procedures, new technology, changes in the industry along with photocopies of current articles or news clippings related to local crime, his position and potential exposure.
The extent of a bodyguard's duties can also vary with the type of client, size of the client's support staff and level of protection expected. There are bodyguards who are the strong silent types that although very protective and handy in a scrap, could not be trusted with more cerebral administrative duties. Other bodyguards may find themselves handling a variety of semi-security related duties such as travel planning, and this is where we come into the realm of the personal protection specialist.
In recent years, the term bodyguard has been replaced by the title of protection specialist since the duties have expanded beyond just "guarding bodies". To effectively handle a client's protection, the modern BG must involve himself in areas that were traditionally not covered by security. These could include the selection of suitable cars, travel planning, residential security systems, office access control, CCTV monitoring, mailroom set-up and periodic security evaluation.
When it comes to driving, whether a limo is utilized, the BG drives or the client drives his own car, the BG should still take a professional interest in vehicle maintenance. The BG should, at a minimum, ensure that all vehicles are gassed, cleaned, maintained, serviced and inspected for safety features, especially brakes and tires, at regular intervals.
Another possible duty for the BG travel planning. Even when a client has an in-house travel bureau, the BG should still take an interest in the itinerary especially if he is to be handling the related security. This could be for no other reason than to become familiar with the principal's planned movements, to ensure suitable ground transportation and confirm a hotel room next to the principal.
With time and experience, the bodyguard may also be called upon to make intelligent observations about residential and office security hardware and access control systems. Other duties may be to act as "keeper of the keys", logging visitors in and out of the office or residence and locking-up in the evening. Although not directly part of the close protection mission, these related duties do improve a client's overall security coverage and are all reasonable expectations of the BG, especially if he or she is part of a team. Tasks that are not part of the bodyguard's duties would include menial chores that could be handled by a valet or errand boy: picking up dry cleaning; making runs for fast food; walking or feeding the pets; cleaning up dog shit; washing the cars; carrying shopping bags; etc.
There are, however, some aspects of BG work, not directly related to the protection of the principal, that a professional BG should be willing to undertake. These are tasks that may require a position of trust or discretion, or example, the transportation of valuable paintings, art works, jewelry, important contracts, confidential communications, cash or negotiable instruments. Having to fly to Rome to transport a rare painting by a seventeenth century Italian master back to the United States could not exactly be viewed as a hardship. In fact, this could be one of the perks of the job.
Additionally, in a corporate environment, once the principal is safely installed in his office for the day, the bodyguard may be entrusted to make bank runs for payroll or cash; hand deliver an important document; deliver the principal's Rolls-Royce for service; or pick-up visiting VIPs from the airport. These are all acceptable duties that call upon the bodyguard's professional skills or position of trust, so should not be viewed as errands.
A word of warning. There are a range of illegal activities, periodically requested by the rich and corrupt, that no matter how much the enticement should avoid by the BG. These may include: fixing traffic violations; making false statements to officials; lying under oath or committing perjury; the purchase or handling of illicit drugs; delivery of non-specific packages; procurement of prostitutes; debt collecting and strong-arm work; protection and extortion rackets; participation in blackmail schemes; illegal wire-tapping; the general intimidation of business associates; and the disposal of unwanted spouses. Although some of these may sound extreme, they have all occurred, often resulting in arrest and the filing criminal charges against all concerned.
True Story: Coming highly recommended, a local security consultant/ bodyguard was offered an opportunity to protect a Middle Eastern prince during his pending visit to Los Angeles. At the first meeting the prince's business managers offered the bodyguard a healthy remuneration for his services. They then informed him that he should be aware that the prince liked to have both ladies of the night (prostitutes) and cocaine made available to him during his stay in the city of the angels.
The bodyguard informed the business managers that this should pose no problem, in fact the prince could be assured the safest stay he had ever had in LA. Safe because the bodyguard would happily throw his ass straight in jail. The business managers had not realized that the bodyguard was also a respected Lieutenant with LAPD Metro Division.
Once a bodyguard crosses the line and agrees to help the client with any small illegal act, he has opened himself up for continued abuse. Even though the BG may think he is just being helpful, he will have lost the important elements of trust and respect in the eyes of the principal. Any principal knows that an individual willing to participate in illegal activity simply to protect his job, cannot be trusted as a bodyguard. A bodyguard who can be enticed to illegal activity on behalf of his employer, can also be enticed to turn on his employer.
This is not to say that a bodyguard may not handle certain sensitive matters for a principal. By the very nature of the position, a professional bodyguard has the reputation as one who can be trusted, can get things done, is not easily intimidated, and above all, discrete. Some of these "discrete duties" that the bodyguard may find himself involved with could include: private investigations; the chartering of private jets for discrete but legal business dealings; the pick-up or delivery of a mistress or girlfriend; making discrete hotel reservations for extra-marital liaisons; the cash purchase or pick-up of expensive gifts such as jewelry; and all those other little indiscretions of the rich and famous.
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| Chapter 4
| Chapter 8
| About Bodyguard
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