Author: Claire Sandbrook

Close protection security is an action taken in order to protect the lives of high-profile individuals, typically those who are well known throughout society. Royal family members, Sportsmen and celebrities all make use of close protection officers (CPOs) to act as a barrier between themselves and threats they may encounter while out in public or even within their own homes. CPOs possess specialized training which allows them to de-escalate hostile scenarios using verbal discussion, physical restraint or unarmed combat tactics if required; thereby offering guaranteed safety for each respective VIP clientele that hires their services.

Highly trained bodyguards are no longer the sole preserve of celebrities – with growing concerns over personal safety, more and more individuals are choosing to hire experienced professionals for their protection.

What is Close Protection Security?

In a world of danger and uncertainty, many influential individuals have entrusted their safety to the capable hands of Close Protection Officers. Trained experts in risk management, known as CPOs, identify potential security threats and develop measures for defending against them – from high-level defense strategies down to individual tactical response plans. With even greater challenges presented by increasingly sophisticated criminals, terrorists, and other adversaries around the globe; CPOs are essential for those who need protection now more than ever before.

Skilled close protection officers are crucial for safeguarding the wellbeing of individuals who face increased safety risks.
CPOs continuously support each distinct customer’s needs and concerns by designing a customised security plan that meets their requirements and by addressing every situation that may arise, such as providing reliable transportation, dispersing crowds in public places, and conducting risk assessments at residential properties. Such expertise requires specialised training so these professionals can recognise potential warning signs and ensure their clients remain safe at all times.

With the age of VIPs and high-net worth individuals, close protection officers have become a necessity. These professionals work tirelessly to identify potential threats for their clients through risk assessments and intelligence gathering before forming an effective strategy that keeps those who need it under tight security 24/7. While some may require short-term services such as when they receive death threats or similar dangers occur, personnel regularly station themselves at client’s homes to ensure guaranteed safety. This line of work requires top expertise as it is no place for average minds!

At Shergroup we love Walt Disney World. Our CEO and her husband honeymooned in Florida over 30 years ago and fell in love with this part of the United States. Shergroup set its US corporate office in Celebration which reflects the ties we have with Florida through the CEO and her family.

It’s not just that our CEO loves Disney, but she has always admired the Walt Disney World company for its immaculate parks, and its customer service. In fact, it has been a privilege to be one of several external vendors recognized by Walt Disney World to provide security for their customers when needed. Shergroup Security takes a pride in looking after school trips and teams of corporate executives who are visiting Walt Disney World.

In a way creating a safe environment for the 85 million people who visit Orlando’s attractions each year is one of the toughest assignments for security. Security in this part of the world has to be exceptional, but it also has to be discreet, professional and melt into the background. Tourists want to be safe but they don’t want to be reminded everyday that there is a potential risk to their safety. The fact that Orlando and Central Florida, and indeed the entire State of Florida, is driven by tourism as a major part of the economy means the need for all these attributes in a security vendor. Good quality security is vital and permeates all aspects of security planning in this part of the world as Florida continues to grow in population and commerce.

If you live in Florida, or you have visited Walt Disney World in the last couple of years, you will have seen how Disney has perfected the art of security into its operations by making even the visible security personnel on staff, look cool. Behind the scenes we know from our insight that Disney have invested millions of dollars to keep their guests and cast members safe.

Whilst the rest of us don’t have the budget of Disney, we can look at how we can emulate aspects of their security plan, without great expense, in our own organisation. We certainly look to do that in Shergroup – which is why our corporate color of purple is such a great alternative to the usual black, navy or beige!

So, let’s start with the visible security teams. The officers wear a professional uniform with a Disney badge but the best part is their security cap. Its straight out of Top Cat. For those of you of a certain age you may remember Officer Dibble! Whilst security officers are not cartoon characters there’s something endearing and nostalgic about this particular cap. The consistency of uniform standard is typical Disney, not a cap, or shirt out of place. Shoes polished, officers polite and helpful even as you go through the airport style scanners. Orange County deputies (police officers) mix with the security teams at the front gates and throughout on alert should more serious risks arise.

Scanning guests in their thousands becomes a norm as you enter Walt Disney World. Annual passholders will probably leave a bag at home so they can go through the NO BAG line saving time and trouble. Every guest is bag searched, buggies/strollers are checked, and even on the hottest of days people line up quietly to get this vital aspect of their visit done and out of the way.

So, if Disney can bag check thousands of people in an hour going through its gates – what is your standard for bag check and do you need one? As many of our community will know, Disney has invested in body scanning technology which allows guests to walk through the front entrances to all the Parks and to designated entrances at Disney Springs. If a person or anything they are carrying registers a higher risk they are discreetly pulled to one side to undergo a deeper person and bag/stroller check.

Sadly as we also know certain events in Florida in the last 10 years have shown how people have entered venues and caused fatalities because no bag check was in place. Disney has mastered the art of searching thousands of people an hour through its approach to scanning and checking its guests in a polite and professional manner. These simple but effective security measures are needed more and more in crowded places and certainly in theme parks.

Security cameras in Disney are present, and no doubt in the underground labyrinth or somewhere else in its 44 acres at Walt Disney World, crowds and individuals are being monitored. Face recognition software is probably used to detect anyone with a dubious background or acting suspiciously. So, here’s another question, if you have cameras how do you monitor your site or premises? What are you monitoring and why? If you don’t have cameras/CCTV do you need this type of security measure? Where would you place cameras? Do they need to be obvious or discreet? And with cameras in place how will you carry out the monitoring?

Finally, there are invisible or almost invisible sides to the way Disney delivers its security and we are proud to say we have totally embraced one of these ideas. Body Odor Detection Dogs follow a patented process for training the nostrils of a canine to sniff out in the human plume, nasties such as explosives or narcotics. Whilst this solution is not required for many organizations, you can see the dogs on patrol in and around Disney Parks, hotels and Disney Springs.

When you are planning security, or providing security, you can’t get much better as a standard, than they Disney experience. You might not like Micky, but you have to acknowledge the combination of personnel, process, tech and customer service that Disney have built to safeguard their operation. If you are looking for a security company that believes that security is about risk management and customer service, then in our own small way, Shergroup is following Disney. With our purple uniform, significant heritage, love of tech, and insistence on superb customer service we have everything you need for a great customer experience. The only thing we’re missing is the Officer Dibble cap!

To ensure a smooth transition between the current security operation and Shergroup USA the following Quality Assurance Checklist is implemented by TEAM Shergroup. This checklist follows ISO9001 and other management standards to maintain a continuous security operation with no gaps in delivery during the transition phase.

New Site Quality Assurance Checklist

As buyers of security guarding services will appreciate, Security is expected to be vigilant, alert and possess exceptional analytical abilities and stamina to carry out their duties. While the nature of duties and responsibilities will differ from location to location, there is a need to achieve continuity in the guarding operation which works across all types of sites. By ensuring that our security guards fully comprehend these essential attributes of their job, Shergroup Security is better equipped to create a safe environment for everyone at the location where security guarding services are being delivered.
The Checklist encompasses the following key areas |

1. Securing the Premises | Our security guards are frequently assigned to serve as the first line of defence for our clients any illegal activity or external threat. Unlike police officers, who use offensive tactics like apprehending criminals or detaining assailants after an incident has occurred, Shergroup Security guards use preventative measures to deter crime and keep everyone safe.

2. Patrolling the property | Our security patrols review the current schedule and look to see if there are any gaps which need to be addressed, We use our risk assessment report to decide what if any changes need to be made. Then we set up guard patrols in line with client expectations or our own assessment. These patrols are put in place to ensure people living or working on a site are safe by regularly making the rounds to prevent damage, burglary, and other unexpected occurrences. They assess on the spot if something looks out of place and they will report and photograph what they see. This report is added to the APP on their device and is immediately uploaded into the Shergroup Security database.

3. Monitoring the premises |  Shergroup security officers use a combination of tech including CCTV and their own body-worn camera devices to monitor and observe the environment they are protecting. If the situation calls for it, the officers can start investigating or call for additional help by calling 911 or other point of contact as agreed with our client.

We understand the need for contemporary evidence which is fair and balanced in its production and which reflects what the security guard sees and hears in any incident.

4. Controlling access | Security guards make sure only authorized people gain access to designated areas on a site. Access controls and locked doors and gates are noted and are checked as part of the patrol route.

5. Inspections | Shergroup security guards are primarily in charge of inspecting buildings and ensuring that all doors and access points are properly locked and secured. These access and egress points are logged in Post Orders and make up part of the Daily Activity Report so the client can see that they were checked as part of the patrol cycle.

6. Proper log management | From a security point of view, security logs are reviewed on a daily basis by on-the-ground and back-office supervisors. Weekly management meetings are held to review the SITUATION REPORT (SITREP) which shows the overall number of logs which have been uploaded onto the Shergroup Security platform. From this, we can deduce the number of patrols, incidents, tour scans and log-on and log-off times.

We share all the data with our clients by giving them online access to our platform or by emailing daily reports.

7. Identifying Criminal Activity | Whilst it is not the role of a security officer to apprehend or arrest a person who is committing a criminal act, the security officer needs to be ready to observe and report such activity to the authorities. This will inevitably involve calling local law enforcement to the scene and observing and capturing activity on a device for evidence gathering.

8. Protecting Assets | Shergroup security guards play an essential role in securing the loss of valuable assets such as vehicles, and other property. Again, a full risk assessment will enable Shergroup Security’s management team to assess the assets on a site – and to create as part of the quality assurance procedures, specific protocols that are right for our client.

9. Reporting and Observation | Reporting is an important aspect of any guard’s job. A security guard is expected to make daily observations and report them under established protocols. Typically, this will entail informing the manager, reporting to a supervisor, or calling authorities or emergency services as needed.

Shergroup Security has strengthened the quality of its reporting and observations so that daily and weekly metrics confirm that we are operating the optimum score of 100%.

10. Incident Handling | In emergencies and times of crisis, security guards provide leadership and direction. When security guards are unable to handle a situation, it is their responsibility to contact the appropriate authorities as soon as possible and request additional assistance. They are also responsible for reporting irregularities such as property damage, theft, or any other common occurrence. In the event of a security incident, they serve as a knowledgeable resource and point of contact for authorities.

Shergroup Security will also take on board the nuances of any particular site and report on particular issues such as lighting, barriers, CCTV cameras, pool areas, locked doors, access controls, and stairwells.

11. Communication | Being a security guard entails more than just being on patrol and making sure everything is safe and secure. Communication is an essential component of the job. When it comes to protecting a building, personnel, or valuable items, it is in everyone’s best interest for security guards to always communicate effectively and efficiently. This is why our APP and platform is so important. Reports are prepared and delivered in real time along with photographs and tour stop scans which forms contemporaneous evidence if needed.

It also gives customers peace of mind about the quality of our service – in that we are adhering to our service delivery which is being constantly measured.

12. Damage Reduction | Security guards are also skilled at assessing threats and recommending solutions to protect people and property from potential threats. If employees violate a security protocol, security services can investigate the situation and recommend additional safeguards to help avoid trouble. They must be able to predict events and act quickly to avoid crises. This will necessitate a keen sense of smell and a focused mind.

Summing-up

Shergroup Security offers professionally trained and experienced security guards when you need guarding for your site. We carry out the risk assessment for your site determining the security needs and preparing or updating your current security plan.

As per your instructions, our Operations Team carefully select the guards which are the right fit for your site. Site-specific training is given before the deployment of guards on our APP so that officers can store all their observations and patrol log details in our database. This database is available for our clients to see with all the detailed information down to individual incidents and patrol stops.

Information is emailed to our clients daily at their preferred time. We also create Site Summaries of data from this data to show our 100% (or as near as we can achieve that) to the site instructions.