You do not want the type of "Bodyguard" portrayed by Hollywood. The movie version is probably not the kind you need protecting you. The bodyguard industry uses titles like "Personal Protection Officer", "Executive Protection", "VIP Protection", or "Personal Security".

Services pertaining to the bodyguard industry include but not limited to:

Educate yourself about the range of available services. Bodyguards are more than big guys with guns.Top security professionals are likely to have specialized driving skills, weapons training, risk avoidance skills and medical training.

Many full-service security companies offer training courses for clients. This is a good way to understand potential risks and enhance your security.

Use the Internet for your state or city's private security regulator commission or department and learn what credentials "Bodyguard" or "Personal Protection Officer" are required to have. Potential bodyguards will need this license in order to work for you. A proper and current license protects the bodyguard and most importantly it protects you the Client. That said, do not assume that a "Bodyguard" license from any state is in and of itself a good indicator. Follow the "Tips" below when interviewing a potential Personal Protection Officer.

The Principal: is the person or persons being protected by bodyguards.

The Candidate: is the potential bodyguard or bodyguard company being interviewed.

Bodyguard: is the person or persons protecting the Principal.

Personal Protection Officer: same as bodyguard above.

Detail: describes the group of bodyguards protecting the Principal.

Keep your expectations realistic, proper "Personal Protection Officers" are professionals. Look for "Executive Protection" who are proactive like the Secret Service agents, clean cut, educated, articulate, and intelligent professionals. Contrast these professionals with the stereotypical thugs working for paparazzi celebrities. These types of "bodyguards" usually lack any kind of personal protection training and often work as bouncers or bounty hunters "sidelining" as bodyguards lacking any kind of specialized VIP training.

Review your bodyguard candidate's professional certificates to verify they are up to date and current.If you have any doubts contact your state or city's private security regulator commission or department to verify your applicant's status.

If you candidate will have access to sensitive or private information ask the candidate to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement before discussing your needs.

Ensure your candidates are graduates of a Government Protective Services or Private Executive Protection course from:

Just because someone has been in the military or law enforcement, does not mean they have the righttraining and skills to perform protection services. For an example a traffic officer does not have the protection training required to become a Protection Specialist.

Off-duty police officers are good for protection when used in conjunction with bodyguards. They also add value to the detail by minimizing unexpected law enforcement issues if an incident occurs. Using ONLY off-duty police officers is NOT the best choice for Personal Protection. Off-duty police officers and other licensed commissioned law enforcement personnel are by law obligated to abandon the "Principal" they are protecting if they see a felony or misdemeanor being committed. If an off-duty police officer does not intercede when they see a misdemeanor or felony being committed then they will more than likely lose their law enforcement credentials. This includes officers with bodyguard training and certifications. The off-duty officer cannot protect the Principal by removing them from the area without potentially compromising their law enforcement credentials. This leaves the "Principal" completely exposed to danger. Bodyguards/Personal Protection Officers are ONLY obligated to protect the "Principal". When using off-duty police officers as bodyguards use them in conjunction with non-police bodyguards.

When interviewing the candidate look for experience, and ask for examples of how the candidate has demonstrated security skills including, but not limited to, the following:

• conducting advance work preparing for trips and events ahead of time
• choreography (standing, walking and moving in and out of vehicles with your or your client
• quick and effective countermeasures dealing with attacks or security threats if they materialize
• specialized driving skills and driving
• firearms training
• executive self-defense training

A professional Personal Protection Officer will also interview the Principal. They will ask questions that are meant to make the candidate aware of any potential dangers with regards to the Principal. This kind or information will help decrease the chances of an incident.

Ask the candidate about the clients they have protected. If the candidate gives you a list of names, those names would likely be okay. However if a candidate starts revealing personal or private information it is possible that they are violating non-disclosure and confidentiality statements they agreed to. Professional bodyguards are careful about divulging private information about former clients, and will find a way for you to verify their claims without violating confidentiality agreements.

Two types of bodyguards.

1. Discreet - low profile

2. Overt - highly visible

If you are looking for discreet bodyguards hire the ones that can blend-in to your lifestyle. Can they dress and act like you and the people around you, appear to be a friend or personal assistant?If you are looking for overt security personnel that are very visible they should be professional and dressed appropriately for the situation and environment.

Look for these traits in your candidates:

• Integrity
• Confidence
• Intelligence
• Candor
• Experience
• Discretion
• Bearing
• Attention to Detail
• Responsiveness
• Flexibility
• Patience
• Commitment

Avoid hiring people with big egos or overly gung-ho or combative attitudes. These types can actually make close protection more difficult.

Leatherneck Investigations aim is to give our clients the peace of mind they need to go about their daily activities and business. Not only will we keep you safe and protected, but we will provide this in a manner that is not detrimental to your lifestyle or way of life. Our agents' experiences in this field are second to none. Our staff has many years of combined experience.

Leatherneck Investigations agents are all trained and well-versed in motorcade operations. Each member of our team has been trained in defensive and evasive driving tactics here at Leatherneck Investigations, as well as additional training at other agencies. It is our goal to get you to your destination not only safely, but comfortably as well.

Venue Security is an area that our staff has a great deal of experience. We have secured large and small venues domestically and internationally. Our threat assessment and security advance specialists make our event security team one of the best the industry has to offer.

Due to the nature of our business, we will not disclose any of our client addresses or physical locations of details for our clients. We can say that our clientele has widely ranged from Hollywood Stars, Music Industry Stars and Professional Athletes to Business Executives and even regular families of average notoriety. Leatherneck Investigations Executive Protection details have occurred in many different countries. It is because of our diverse clientele and areas of operation, that we are able to meet the needs of any and all demands.