Bodyguard

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A bodyguard is a person or group of people who professionally protect someone (known as their principal) from personal assault, kidnapping, assassination, loss of confidential information, or other threats. An alternative term for bodyguard that is gaining popularity (particularly with the bodyguards themselves) is close-protection officer. Many professional training courses identify themselves close-protection training instead of bodyguarding training, for example. The profession of being a bodyguard is reffered to as the 5th Profession. The term is used to signify the history of and the value of the profession.

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[edit] General overview

Bodyguards may be armed, depending on the laws in their jurisdiction, and have expertise in unarmed combat, tactical driving, and first aid. However, the most important skill for a bodyguard is the ability to assess a situation and decide how best to respond to minimize danger to his principal.

Most important public figures are protected by several bodyguards who work as a unit (or even agency), using sophisticated tactics. Less-important protectees (or those with lower risk profiles) are accompanied by a single bodyguard, who may double as a driver. However, some billionaires and dignitaries choose to dispense with bodyguards in all but the most risky situations.

In multi-agent units (like those protecting a celebrity or a head of state) one or more bodyguards may specialize in specific tasks, such as:

Regardless of the team size, there must be a comprehensive security plan with a staffing plan and budget.

[edit] Famous bodyguards and bodyguarding agencies

In the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, most bodyguards are former or current police officers, or sometimes former military or other government agency personnel. E.g., former members of the Special Air Service often go in close-protection after retirement, since many are given specialised training in the field during their time in the regiment.

One well-known public agency that provides bodyguard services is the United States Secret Service which safeguards the lives of the President, his family, and other executive officials.

Another agency, the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security, is responsible for protecting U.S. missions and their personnel overseas, as well as selected dignitaries in the U.S., including the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, the Secretary of State, and visiting foreign dignitaries below heads-of-state level.

Whilst the US Secret Service's close-protection role is its most visible, its historic role as agents of the United States Treasury makes it unusual internationally as usually "official" bodyguards are part of general police forces. A significant example is the Royalty and Diplomatic Protection Department of the Metropolitan Police, which is responsible for the security of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom.

In India NSG (National Security Guards), an organisation particularly trained in anti-terrorist activities, also provides Body Guards for the VVIPs. The Organisation functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India. In 1984 Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her security guards, reportedly chosen as personal bodyguards.

In countries where the head of state is a military leader or dictator, the leader's bodyguards may also be part of an elite military unit. Such was the case with the former Iraqi Republican Guard, the Schutzstaffel in Nazi Germany, or the Praetorian Guard in the Roman Empire.

[edit] Notable bodyguards

[edit] Fictional bodyguards

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[edit] Other uses of the term

[edit] Minders

A minder is a bodyguard who protects the financial interests of the principal rather than their personal safety.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

General info
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