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SPECIAL EDITION FREE ISSUE

Fit for Purpose

Women in Close Protection Situational Awareness

Protective Surveillance Surviving Sudden Violence EXPRESS KIDNAP /// SECURITY IN HOTELS /// UNARMED COMBAT

EDITOR FOREWORDS

Hello All... Welcome to a very special edition of the Circuit Magazine. It’s our birthday, we’re the grand old age of 10! We are in a day and age when magazines are finding it extremely difficult to survive. Despite this the Circuit has managed to not only survive but to thrive, adapting with technology and staying relevant within the Protection sector to become the mainstay publication it is today. This could not have happened without our subscribers and contributors, so thank you to you all.

Wow, I can hardly believe it, this magazine, which started as a newsletter for members of the British and North American Bodyguard Associations is celebrating now having been in circulation for 10 years. I have to pinch myself! That is 40 issues of jam packed content on all the topics relevant to you as a protection specialist! Looking back, I can say that it fills me with pride to be involved in such a production. This publication is read by people living and operating in all corners of the globe but what makes the publication truly unique is the fact it is not written by journalists or professional writers. In fact the stories, opinion and analysis that you find in these pages is provided by Security Professionals, just like you and I, who draw on their professional experiences from within the sector and have been brave enough to put pen to paper.

Special thanks must also go to the members of the Circuit team. Jon Moss and Peter Falkous who work tirelessly on the UK side putting the pages together for your enjoyment. Elijah Shaw, our US editor who comes up with the goods every issue despite his full-on schedule. Without you all the magazine would cease to exist!

Many of those who have contributed to the Circuit, once realising that it’s not too painful of an experience, have come back again and some have gone on to become regular contributors. This issue is all about them. In addition to celebrating this landmark anniversary we also pay homage to those who have helped to shape the magazine and be its voice. Many of our oldest and most valued writers have come together to provide you with this knockout, blockbuster issue that I’m sure you’re going to enjoy sinking your teeth into!

Before I sign off, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our Art Director, Peter, who is celebrating the birth of his second child and newest member of the Circuit family, Louie Constance Falkous. Best wishes Pete and Lyndsey. Final thought: If you enjoy reading the Circuit please continue to support the publication, pass it on to your friends and colleagues, and who knows, one day we may reach the dizzy heights of issue 100!

Shaun West Editor

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE

Spring Forward! - That should be the rallying call not only of the season, but of our profession as well. We as an industry should always be looking to advance, innovate and modernize. Don’t get me wrong, there are many time tested and proven methods to the business of Close Protection, but that does not mean we should stop seeking to push the envelope in an effort to perfect the craft.

With that in mind, I’ve begun a quiet campaign to encourage young talent to put pen to pad (or finger to keypad) and submit to The Circuit. The idea is for them to share their experiences, and keep in mind just because someone I want that same mentality to is young biologically does go into this magazine. Within not mean they haven’t seen the pages of The Circuit – The and done things that would Magazine for the Security increase the knowledge base. Professional is article after Alternatively, there are many article written by people who who are new to the Close actually do the things they write Protection industry, but have a about, but since new men and wealth of knowledge in related women enter the business every fields such as military, law day, shouldn’t their voices also enforcement and cyber/tech. be heard? Of course you might I want these voices to speak be saying to yourself, “what to us as well, and who knows, could a newbie teach me?” maybe something will jump Instead, the better question is right out at you that you can if that individual might be able use in your toolbox down the to offer a fresh perspective, a road. new outlook, or a radical idea. You know, something that might push us forward individually or Elijah Shaw as a collective. US Editor

CONTENTS

CONTENTS 02 Foreword

04 Contents

06 Industry News At A Glance

08 Task, Threat and Environment The mindset of productive services 12 Protective Surveillance 22 Situational Awareness Skill or Instinct? 28 Should protection officers be trained in unarmed combat? 34 Women In The Close Protection Industry

40 Personal Security in Hotels 51 Fit for Purpose

58 Surviving Sudden Violence Enhancing Your Safety and Survival at the Airport 66 Incident Report Global Round Up

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE

Protective surveillance

74 KeepingYour Edge Does Fitness Matter Anymore? 78 Global Events Map

80 One mans Terrifying Ordeal: 93 Classifieds

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE

Industry News At A Glance

We cast our eye over the main stories impacting the security industry. Here's what's appeared on the radar since the last issue. De Blasio’s head of security covered up car crash with the mayor April 30th New York, US De Blasio’s head of security covered up car crash with the mayor Howard Redmond, the head of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s executive security unit, covered up a 2015 crash involving the mayor to avoid bad “optics.” “As per CO [Redmond] no one is to know about this,” Sgt. Jerry Ioveno texted members of the unit. “Not even the other teams.” He stressed, “No one is to know.” Detective Edgar Robles was listed as the driver of the mayor’s backup SUV so as to give the appearance that de Blasio was not in the car that crashed Attorney Marshall Bellovin has cited this incident as further evidence of a “lack of transparency.”

Michael Jacksons Bodyguard ready to break vow of silence April 24th, California, US

Relocating Royals Protection team to cost pretty penny April 22nd, London, UK

Matt Fides, Michael Jacksons Bodyguard of 10 years, has said enough is enough as he vows to reveal all in defence of his one time employer. Fides, along with fellow protector, Bill Whitfield, have pledged to clear Jacksons legacy of child sex allegations after the documentary ‘Leaving Neverland’ made claims of abuse.

Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s plan to spend unto 4 months of the year living in South Africa would require a considerable security operation coming at a significant cost. Former Scotland Yard commander, John O’Conner, estimates the annual bill to be around the £1m mark and has called on the royals make a contribution and lessen the load on the taxpayer and the met police.

INDUSTRY NEWS Mystery agent exposing Iran’s hackers April 18th, Tehran, Iran

Manchester United security chief sacked following foul-mouthed row with fan in club car park 5th April, Manchester, UK

Top iranian hacking team known as APT34 or OilRig, were the victims of an unknown mystery hacker who begun exposing their tools, methods and even their identities, threatening to expose personal information every few days of the ‘cursed staff […] from the vicious Ministry of Intelligence’.

Facebook discreetly reveals significantly greater security breech than first thought 18th April, California, US Facebook announces that its password related security incident affected millions of users, and not tens of thousands, as first

Operations manager, Riyaz Patel, whose remit included the safety of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his players, was recorded issuing an expletive-laden rebuke to a fan in a club car park. He was later fired by Controlled Solutions Group (CSG) — the firm which looks after Manchester United’s security, after an investigation. reported. Furthermore, Facebook chose to ‘inform’ the public of this by simply updating their original blog post. Presumably, this was an environmental act designed to reduce their carbon footprint and certainly not an attempt to suppress the scandal.

Facebook spends $20M protecting Mark Zuckerberg and his family. 15th April, California, US

Stormzy cancels set to hit back at ’racist security’ 14th April, Mayrhofen, Austria

An SEC filing on Friday shows Facebook paid Zuckerberg only $1 in 2018 but spent almost $10 million on the billionaire's personal protection and another $10 million on "additional costs" keeping him and his family safe. That's up significantly from Zuckerberg's 2017 security bill of $7.3 million.

The rapper, Stormzy, was due to play at the Snowbombing festival in Austria, but cancelled his set at the last minute because he said he and his friends were ‘racially profiled’ targeted and aggressively handled by security.

Winnie Mandela’s ex-bodyguard jailed over meat cleaver row April 12th, Portsmouth, UK One of Winnie Mandela’s former bodyguards who fled to Britain after claiming to have seen her fatally stab a teenager in 1980s Soweto has been jailed. Katiza Cebekhulu, 49, was part of the Mandela United Football Club, a vigilante group in the late South African politician’s township, which guarded the anti-apartheid leader during the 1980s while her husband Nelson Mandela was in prison. Cebekhulu was sentenced to 18 months in prison for brandishing a meat cleaver at a bouncer on the door of a bar in Portsmouth last August.

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE

TASK, THREAT & ENVIRONMENTTHE MINDSET OF PROTECTIVE SERVICES

By: Joseph M. LaSorsa

For a number of reasons, the most difficult thing to instil in a student during training is the proper mindset. Every student has bias from his or her experiences and the appropriate mindset for any professional must be ingrained through operational experience, not simply embedded through osmosis from instruction alone. In this article I’ll explain the mindset that I have developed which is largely responsible for the effectiveness and success in the way I work a detail. If you’ve been following my articles, posts, or been to a course with me you’ve

undoubtedly heard me reference ‘adapt it to your task, threat and environment.’ This is a mindset that goes beyond situational awareness, knowledge, or even foresight but rather a collection of them all into a cycle which must be constantly in rotation. The items listed are the most paramount on the task list of a security professional engaged in protective services. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list and must constantly be added to or modified based on circumstance.

TASK, THREAT, & ENVIRONMENT

However, I would offer the opinion that the framework presented in this cycle will be the most effective given the core objectives of a security professional. Similar to an OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) this cycle must be an ongoing mental process and is designed to keep your mind sharp with

your head on a swivel, able to proactively decipher your task, threat and environment. Task The questions that must be answered here are rather simple, but the resultant decisions and activities derived from it are anything but easy. Here you must develop a mission statement for your assignment. The method

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE I use is to create a modular mission statement by filling in the W’s: ‘when’ ‘what’ ‘who’ ‘where’ in order to ‘why’ For example: ‘From 1600-TBD transit Mr. Smith and entourage from LAX to HQ in order to provide secure transportation and close personal protection.‘ This is an crucial step as it defines your purpose and provides the base for all of your follow on decisions. *The order of first 4 W’s is not important and add details as required, such as # of people, vehicles, etc. Threat This part of the cycle has its own sub-cycle which includes “Intentional, Unintentional, Embarrassing.” Constantly cycle through the intentional attack vectors which may present themselves based on your threat profiles and region, the unintentional occurrences that may result in harm or other detrimental impact, and any embarrassing incidents that may

potentially occur based on the profile of your principal, event, etc. Environment This step in the cycle also has its own sub-cycle which includes “Inner, Middle, Outer.” Constantly assess and maintain awareness of your environment, establishing perimeters which have escalating interventions and responses. Understand the purpose of this mindset; that it should be a constant cycle and continuously adapting to your specific circumstances and requirements. This is the basic model that I use, based on my experiences, anyone else’s may differ based on their experiences. Use it as a framework or adjust it to a model that works for you. As always, this is just my opinion, which is hopefully worth more to you than what you’ve paid for it. Thanks for reading. Stay calm, stay smart, stay safe. – JML

Joseph M. LaSorsa, CPP® is currently employed as a senior partner managing and conducting: Protective Operations Training Courses, Executive Protection & Bodyguard Services, Risk Management Consultations & Seminars, Workplace Violence Prevention Seminars & Intervention Services, Security Consultations & Seminars, Private Investigations and Technical Surveillance Counter-Measures with LaSorsa & Associates – an International Protection, Investigations & Consulting Firm. Web: www.linkedin.com/in/josephmlasorsa

Web: www.g6-global.com Telephone: +44 (0)1454 610050 Email: g6@g6-global.com

Communications simplified: delivering practical solutions to mission critical users

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE

Protective surveillance

By: Mark Deane

The nuances of personal protection and the specialist options available to High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI’s), VIPs and Celebrities are never ‘one size fits all’. 12

PROTECTIVE SURVEILLANCE

Hostiles normally use some form of pre-attack surveillance â&#x20AC;&#x201C; whether rudimentary or professional. With each client, the situation and threat level will vary, as will their requirements and appetite. When it comes to security there are a myriad of options available, often (and hopefully) with multiple, complementary components working together in harmony. One weapon in the personal protection armory is Protective Surveillance. This article attempts to provide a comprehensive overview of a service that has multiple benefits, quite a few limitations and several misrepresentations. What is Protective Surveillance? Protective surveillance is the creation of a covert security team around an individual or group, forming a protective bubble around the client

in a covert manner. The Protective Surveillance Team (PST) watches those that may be watching the client. The primary role of a PST is working to control spaces and areas that would be used by hostile surveillance and potential imminent threats. Their objective is to proactively identify hostiles and threats (achieved through counter surveillance, behavioral analysis and risk assessment). The other role of a PST (that runs concurrently) is to be able to react as a Quick Reaction Force (QRF), if required in extremis. Why Utilize Protective Surveillance? Hostiles normally use some form of pre-attack surveillance â&#x20AC;&#x201C; whether rudimentary or professional. This may be short-term surveillance e.g. perpetrated by an individual opportunistic criminal looking for the best time to strike, or a high-level, multi-person surveillance team on a high value target for hostile intent e.g. kidnap or murder. The PST will also be set-back from the

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE Close Protection Team (CPT) and will likely have more of an over-arching perspective, able to dynamically risk assess without being caught ’in the weeds’. Why Do Hostile Gangs/ Terrorists Undertake Surveillance? Hostile individuals or groups need to gather intelligence on their target. To increase the chances of a successful attack it is useful to know the comings and goings of a target, their habits and routines. What security they have, its strengths and weaknesses. What are the opportunities and threats? A hostile surveillance team will be trying to answer all these things and more. It is with this information that they can formulate a plan to attack their target more effectively and with a greater chance of success. One example of hostiles undertaking pre-attack surveillance is the kidnap of Anneli-Marie in Germany, 2015. The kidnappers told police after being caught that they followed her for weeks, gaining information. Eventually, when the time was right they struck. Anneli-Marie was walking the family dog around the estate near her house when they attacked, dragged her into the car trunk and zip tied her. This incident

unfortunately ended badly after the kidnappers panicked when they thought she saw their faces. They killed her, and still tried to obtain the ransom. Protective Surveillance Teams – A pro-active resource Identifying threats early is vital to ensure time to react. If one has time to react then the chances of a favorable outcome are increased dramatically. Any aggressive force normally has the advantage of surprise. The attack occurs on their terms. Very few aggressors will attack if they don’t feel they have the upper hand, they do so at a time of their choosing, and probably after extensive planning and preparation. The assassination of Denis N. Voronenkov in March 2017, a former Russian lawmaker who was killed in Kiev in a widely publicized killing, identifies what happens when security does not have time to react. Denis Voronenkov, who’d been a Communist member of Russia’s lower legislative house before he left, was fatally shot outside a hotel in broad daylight. The assassin walked up behind the target and his personal security, then shot Voronenkov, after which a gun fight ensued and both Assassin and security were shot, and the VIP left dead.

PROTECTIVE SURVEILLANCE There is an increased chance that a PST would have identified the threat early, communicated with the CPT and been able to pre-empt the attack, or intercept. Protective Surveillance is NOT Close Protection A normal CPT will have a multitude of tasks and duties to perform that require their undiluted attention. Their focus must when moving with the client, be on the there and now, able to react at a seconds notice to the immediate threat. They provide the necessary ‘close’ protection.

hostile surveillance detection on high-level adversaries can only be undertaken as an entirely covert separate entity. To have complete separation to the CPT and be no way linked over time or by proxy minimizes the chance of being compromised – this is key to successful Counter Surveillance.

What is the Difference Between Counter Surveillance and Protective Surveillance Counter Surveillance is when a third party is utilized to identify whether an individual or group is the target/subject of surveillance. A dedicated Although a CPT will likely carry counter surveillance team utilizes multiple methods out anti-surveillance (insert link to old ETS anti surveillance both physical and technical to determine covertly whether article), taking actions to someone is under surveillance. determine whether they This terminology is often may be under surveillance, misused within the industry a CPT cannot be protective surveillance, and a CPT cannot causing extensive confusion. A protective surveillance team carry out counter surveillance carries out counter surveillance (insert link to old ETS counter surveillance article?) . It is the as one of its main roles but also has an underlying author’s opinion that effective

Their focus must when moving with the client, be on the there and now, able to react at a seconds notice to the immediate threat. 15

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE objective to protect the client from all threats, unlike a cpurely counter surveillance team that remains covert and disseminates intelligence; a PST is in position, and trained to react to threats if necessary, and to break cover in the interests of client safety if required. Why does the CPT not just carry out Anti-Surveillance? Accurately and efficiently identifying surveillance comes down to a large number of variable factors, the core ones being; skill of the surveillance team and the skill of the anti/ counter surveillance operators. It is very easy to look, but actually quite hard to see. Meaning: Many so-called surveillance â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;expertsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; know the theory, but few have

quality experience e.g. counter terrorism, counter espionage and/or extensive commercial experience. Many close protection officers and self-titled surveillance experts have only done, at most a week or two of surveillance training. The majority, have never been operational against surveillance aware targets. In most cases this is just not enough to have a comprehensive ability to identify organized surveillance teams. A trained surveillance team should be able to identify anti-surveillance being carried out by a CPT, and avoid it. Likewise, poorly implemented counter surveillance is easily identifiable. This is compounded even further if the people carrying out the anti or counter

PROTECTIVE SURVEILLANCE working constantly to covertly identify hostile surveillance, and any other potential threats to the principal. By conducting Counter-Surveillance there is an increased chance of identifying How Can Hostiles Identify hostiles in attack-planning and Avoid Good Counter stages, or identifying pre-attack Surveillance? indicators of hostiles. If such If done correctly, effective hostiles are identified there are counter-surveillance is extremely hard to identify, and normally (but not limited to) three follow up options: nearly impossible to avoid. • Inform the close protection If a professional counterteam of a potential threat surveillance team carries out so that the Team Leader can the role, the hostile surveillance make an informed decision team will never know they e.g. the removal of the client have been identified. This to a safe environment, but is what the PST does, they without highlighting that a undertake counter-surveillance threat has been identified. in a dynamic role, but ready to function in other roles including • Aim to follow the hostile surveillance team to gather as a QRF. intelligence on them (conduct surveillance on that Protective Surveillance is hostile surveillance team – NOT Low-Profile Protection sometimes incorrectly referred Low-profile protection is not to as Counter-surveillance), to be confused with Protective obtain intelligence, positive Surveillance, low profile is identifications etc. so that not covert, low profile is not the necessary authorities can counter-surveillance. There are deal with and extinguish the multiple uses and reasons for threat. the application of low profile • If the threat is perceived security, but the key objective as being imminent the PST of this article is the description can, either disrupt, defend, of Protective Surveillance. pre-emptively attack, or A PST, to be effective, must supplement. remain covert and separate from the close protection detail. When Should Protective Surveillance Be Utilized? What Are the Objectives of Protective surveillance is best a Protective Surveillance suited to individuals, families, Team or groups at high risk of kidnap The PST’s main objective is or attack. It is, due to remain covert at all times, surveillance do not know what they are looking for and when – leading to a false sense of security.

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE to the covert requirements, a resource intensive role. To source experienced operators and have them working in a protective surveillance role requires significant investment. Sometimes, a blend of close protection, low profile protection and hostile surveillance detection may be commensurate with risk, or better suited to budget. Protective Surveillance for High-Risk For a high-risk client, it is imperative a security team is pro-active and not reactive. Too many times history has shown that systems are put into operation too late. When it comes to high-risk clients, protective surveillance must only be used in conjunction with a close protection team. The two teams though separate, are symbiotic. They work hand in hand towards the shared goal of keeping the client safe and secure. A PST on its own would likely be able to identify certain threats at an early stage and act accordingly. However, they would rarely be close enough to protect the client from an impromptu attack, or act as a last line of defense. They are also not an overt presence that acts as a visual deterrent to potential threats. This is why the two teams work perfectly together, each with a different scope of work, yet entirely interlinked.

Let us look at a real life scenario, highlighting where protective surveillance could have fitted perfectly in conjunction with close protection to help engineer a very different outcome. Protective Surveillance â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Case Study - I believe there is an old circuit article with this case study â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we could link this as some of this is taken from that I think*. A Colombian former interior minister Fernando Londono in Bogota was attacked during a vehicle convoy. His two car convoy were held at a set of lights (one free lane to its left, two free lanes to its right) A bus then joined the left lane followed by cars to the left and right. Then a man crosses the street approximately 20 meters behind the cars carrying a large object. He circles around the bus and approaches Fernando Londonoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s car attaching a limpet mine to the left front side. Within 30 seconds the mine explodes leaving two dead and 48 injured. Fernando Londono was very fortunate to survive; his level 5-armored car played a significant part in this. Some of his security detail were not so lucky. Add link here* It seems highly likely that the attackers in this instance would have had to have put Londono under prior surveillance to establish his routes, what car

PROTECTIVE SURVEILLANCE

he traveled in, what security he had with him, did he have a pattern of life? Where best to carry out the attack and how to escape (the attacker ran down an alley to a waiting motorcycle).

to allow time to react.

To further delve into this case study, Londono survived and was removed from the vehicle (via the trunk) injured and dazed within 30 seconds. His surviving close protection A multitude of questions would officers did a great job of extracting him through the need to have been answered crowd. What if there had to carry out such an attack. been a second wave attack Protective surveillance would though? Let us imagine that the have most likely identified attackers had mounted a small hostile observations and arms assault post explosion. highlighted the imminent attack planning. Further, a PST There is a good chance the surviving officers would have follows the client at distance been overpowered due to to observe the surroundings. There is a good chance that the their trauma and the focus on team would have spotted a car removing the principal. A PST also acts as a Quick Reaction following the client and more so an individual carrying a large Force (QRF) and would have been able to move in and suspicious object purposefully work to protect the immediate walking towards the clients vicinity, and help counter any vehicle. As mentioned earlier identifying threats early is vital secondary or tertiary attack.

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Protective Surveillance can be used without the client knowing they are being protected. Thus, a PST can provide the necessary cover and support so the CPOs could withdraw to the protective surveillances vehicles and extract the client. This is obviously in an ideal world, and hindsight is a wonderful thing, but the principal is valid. A QRF does exactly as its namesake; it is a force (in this case a PST) able to react quickly in case of emergency. The covert nature of the team would be disregarded at times of extremis to act as a suitable support team. Whether this be as an assault team, a medical support team, or an extraction team. The fact that they would be covert right to the last moment provides an extra level of surprise and advantage to the protection detail. A Focused Tool Protective surveillance is a specific and focused tool in the provision of security to an individual or group. In the case of High Risk protection it is ideally suited to work hand in hand with a close protection team. Their symbiosis allows for a greater level of protection to be in place and most importantly allows TIME

TO REACT. For a PST to be effective it requires operators skilled and experienced in surveillance and countersurveillance, as well as preferably Close Quarter Battle (CQB) and dynamic Hostage Rescue. Able to remain covert at all times whilst being in the right place at the right time to identify threats, and then react accordingly. This is why ex-Special Forces (UKSF and Tier1 US SF) with the correct experience, and Government level operators are perfectly suited to PSTs. Covert protection â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Unknown to the Protectee/s Protective Surveillance can be used without the client knowing they are being protected. This is often used in cases of children that may be at risk from abduction or kidnap but do not know the risk for whatever the reason, or the guardians require a greater degree of peace of mind. High net worth individuals and celebrities for example, may have close protection teams but their children do not, and have no appetite to do so. Yet the risk still exists. Kidnaps and abduction are a significant risk

PROTECTIVE SURVEILLANCE for these individuals as was identified in the Anneli-Marie case in Germany. There are multiple limitations to this form of protection. As discussed prior, there would be no ‘bodyguard’ or person/s close to the protectee at all times. Although not providing the level of protection that a CPT does, a PST can mold to this requirement of covert protection, allowing a parent to have peace of mind that their children are being observed, and overseen by a security team. Point to Note: With reference children, a PST can be supplemented by a Close Personal Protection Officer Male or Female that operates in a Nanny, or Child Minder role (overtly responsible for safety and welfare of the child) but covertly they are trained CPOs, medics and in constant covert communication with the PST. Protective Surveillance – Client Not Wanting Overt Security and Willing To Accept The Limitations Whilst protection may be required, overt bodyguards or

close protection teams may not suit the client. Certain clientele desire covert protection, not wanting the attention gained from having an overt team in close vicinity at all times, yet wanting the confidence that someone is watching over them, and working to protect them. Just like earlier there are multiple limitations to this form of ‘protection’ as no person is close to the client at all times. But, if done well a PST can adapt and constantly work to control the areas around the client, be in the best position possible, at the right times, under cover. This method is often expensive, more suited to short term, setitineraries, but can be achieved. Please Note: Often the best compromise for clients wanting Covert Protection is for a CPO to be next to the client under the cover of another role, be that a Personal/Executive Assistant , a colleague, or friend. They are in constant communication with the PST. Other times with set itineraries, locations and meetings a trained team can pre-deploy and control locations, venues and routes accordingly.

This article was written by Mark Deane of ETS Risk Management Inc. Mark is a risk management specialist whose experience stems from his previous career as a Covert Operational Officer with the British Government. Since leaving HMG he has developed ETS Risk Management into one of the leading security companies for individuals, organizations and corporates requiring a range of boutique protective services including protective surveillance.

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Situational Awareness Skill or Instinct?

By: Denida Zinxhiria

Many of us in the security and protection industry have heard the term ‘’situational awareness’’, however, few understand its full meaning or the complexities of its components. This may help. First, to explain the definition of the term situational awareness we will use Endsley’s definition established in 1999: Situational Awareness is “the perception of the elements in the environment within a volume of time and space, the comprehension of their meaning and the

projection of their status in the near future” and is divided into three levels: Level 1- Perception of the elements in the environment. Level 2- Comprehension of the current situation. Level 3- Projection of future status.

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS Regardless of your profession, it is vital to consider situational awareness as your most valuable instinct. It is an instinct because you are born with it. When the hair on the back of your neck stands up when you hear a dog growling behind you, or you suddenly find yourself surrounded by rain clouds… Instinct. When you turn and throw a stone at the dog to avoid being bitten or run inside the house to keep from getting wet…Skill How effectively you use your instinct to protect yourself is a skill you must develop to survive in any environment. I have routinely been asked if I can teach ‘’situational awareness’’. I usually answer this question with a question;

Are you aware of your own ability to apply your knowledge and skill to your surroundings, adapt to changes in the conditions affecting your environment, or recognize when you are not capable of these? More simply, I can teach the theory of “Situational Awareness” but are you capable of combining and applying what you learn with your own existing natural instinct? Some people can orient themselves easily to their environment and remain aware of activity affecting it while remaining ready to adapt to changes in it. Others cannot pay attention to the most obvious things around them due to distractions or even denial, or an inability to recognize environmental

I can teach the theory of “Situational Awareness” but are you capable of combining and applying what you learn with your own existing natural instinct? 23

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Taking my niece to school, jogging, shopping, or traveling on vacation or to work, I study my routes

social and political activity, and even laws or rules which could affect my movement. There is no difference between when I am working and when I am not. There are few times when I completely ‘’shut down’’ or relax. I notice people who might be watching me, those lingering or loitering with no purpose, animal activity or behavior (because they react to things humans After many years in the business, I am conditioned can’t hear or see), and I look for changes in to think as a security weather, know what time professional, even when it will be getting dark in not working. Taking my July versus December niece to school, jogging, and know what time the shopping, or traveling highway will be jammed on vacation or to work, I study my routes, weather, with traffic. In addition to characteristics which could threaten their security or safety. Cellphones, intense conversation with others, overly noisy environments, darkness, heavy crowds, high crime areas, unstable governments… the list is endless, but all add to an inability to focus your senses on conditions which could mask specific threats.

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS well that overworking your operatives can be very dangerous for your operation and your clients. An operative who is required to work 16 hours or more will lose focus and energy and attention to details will suffer. Awareness of environmental factors affecting situational awareness as well as reaction times and cognitive thinking will suffer. Personally, I do not Factors that can negatively allow any of my operatives to work more than 10 affect your situational hours in a day and insist awareness: that they be given the Focusing too much on one appropriate time to rest. source of information Psychological factors/ Stress/Personal Problems Such as environmental factors or technology and Any of these can affect gadgets. your ability to gather and process information. You Routine There is a reason some in must know how to identify things which can negatively our line of work consider influence your ability to routine activities to be as properly manage stress deadly as a bullet. Habits and emotional challenges. form complacency which can lead to a numbing Physical illness/ of the senses. You must medication remain alert at all times. Being physically ill or in pain, or on medication “Burn Out” will affect operational ability and your situational Experienced supervisors awareness. and team leaders know these, I always know what time it is. I study which way a door opens, closest exits, whether tables are bolted to the floor in a restaurant, and if I can sit and see the door without being directly in front of it. I look for people’s reactions when the Police walk in and if the girl jogging by my apartment has made more than one pass in the last 20 minutes.

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE Preconceptions and misinterpreting People tend to try matching information to specific ideas rather than having all the parameters and the whole idea of what is going on. This happens with new practitioners as well as overworked veterans. Misconceptions of the protection industry by Hollywood and inaccurate reporting by the news media are also to blame for preconceptions. Misinterpreting information from your environment will give you false situational awareness, which will lead you to taking incorrect or harmful actions that will put your and your principalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safety in jeopardy. Lack of proper training Basic training is not enough. being repetitively trained in different scenarios will enable you to take the correct actions when a situation/threat occurs in real life. When you are trained in different scenarios, you will be more likely to know what a situation looks like and have an appropriate response to deal with it.

A Situational Awareness checklist 1. Ambiguous information Do you have information from two or more sources that do not agree? 2. Confusion Are you uncertain or uneasy about a situation? 3. Primary duties Are all team members in their respective places and performing their assigned functions? 4. See and avoid Is there too much heads-down time without looking around? is your vision/ hearing occupied by other distractions? 5. Fixation Are you focused on any one task? Do you know what time it is? 6. Communication Have you heard or made any vague or incomplete statements? 7. Contradictions Have you failed to resolve any discrepancies or contradictory information? 8. Orientation Have you lost your

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

Misconceptions of the protection industry by Hollywood and inaccurate reporting by the news media · Plan ahead. Study the orientation of your current position to exits, environment adapt to changes. safe spaces? · Do not assume. This leads to misinterpreting In your effort to bring information and the back the level of your situation resulting in situational awareness you incorrect actions. can practice the following: · Watch movies or · Train yourself with television shows and different scenarios in look for fallacies in the different environments. script, make-up, Use the ‘’what if’’ method wardrobe, scenery, so you avoid any technical subject matter surprises. accuracy and other things · Gather as much to test your attention to information you can. Use detail. all available resources, contacts, tools. Situational Awareness · Scan your environment involves a constant study always. Don’t focus only of all things in your on small details but also environment that can have stay focused on the an effect on it, including bigger picture. Each you. must be considered and evaluated equally. Denida Zinxhiria is the Founder and CEO of Athena Worldwide LLC, Athena Academy and Nannyguards®. She is one of a few certified female Close Protection Operatives and Security Consultants in Greece. Denida holds a BSc in Counseling and Psychology, is trained in various martial arts and has also operated as a private investigator. For more information, please go to: Athena Worldwide LLC www.athenaworldwide.com Athena Academy: www.athenaacademy.com Nannyguards®: www.nannyguards.com

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Should protection officers be trained in unarmed combat? Protection officers worldwide who have extensive unarmed combat training will unreservedly answer this question with; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of course!! How can a protection officer not have any selfdefense or unarmed combat training! How can a protection officer not know how to physically protect?â&#x20AC;?

By: Robin Barratt

UNARMED COMBAT? But of course, those many, many (and I mean many) protection officers worldwide with little or no self-defense or unarmed combat training, or who are too just damn lazy to train, will undoubtedly say; “No! Unarmed combat training is irrelevant and not necessary for the modern protection officer.” What do I think? Based on my many years in the industry, as well as on my experiences living in highrisk and challenging arenas including Russia and the Middle East, I absolutely believe that EVERY SINGLE protection officer in the world should not only be trained in unarmed combat... but should be experts in unarmed combat! I believe that if you cannot disarm, disable and defend your Principal against an attack, then you should not be looking after his or her safety. Period. I will never understand the irrational, stupid philosophy of so very many people working in this industry who have no close quarter combat of self-defense training whatsoever. Try telling a Russian bodyguard that you are a protection officer but you don’t have any close quarter combat experience, he will laugh his head off! The arguments (well, excuses) put forward by CPOs without any combat training are varied and often include; if

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This argument for not training in unarmed combat is mainly made by the inexperienced and novice protection officer a protection officer plans his operation carefully looking at and countering every single possible risk, then there would never be any need for any physical confrontation or intervention, so then, why should a protection officer train for something he or she will probably never need? Of course, all operations should be planned carefully meticulously! Of course, all operations should cover every possible eventuality too! It is what we do! But this argument for not training in unarmed combat is mainly made by the inexperienced and novice protection officer, because seasoned operatives will absolutely know it is never possible to counter every single eventuality, because you cannot ever fully plan against something that cannot be understood, and another personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thoughts, feelings, impulses or actions can never be completely understood. The fundamental objective of a CPO is to make things extremely difficult for an attack on your client,

but even with immense resources, manpower and capabilities of some security companies and organisations, and even with the best and most experienced security operators available, security has at times still been breached; Presidents have been assassinated and top businessmen kidnapped and killed. Attacks have often been made on impulse too, with no prior planning from the attacker. It happens. Fact. So what would an untrained CPO do if someone did impulsively jump over the barrier and run towards his or her film-star client at a film premier...? Run away? Of course, most CPOs with or without unarmed combat training would say they would still try to stop an attacker, but most would simply not have the ability because they have never been trained to. You cannot do something you have not been trained to do. Fact. I have also heard an argument for not training

UNARMED COMBAT? saying that (for example), the UK and the USA are so very different when it comes to violence and the use of weapons and firearms. I agree, the US has a prolific use of firearms whereas the UK doesn’t, but this argument is completely irrelevant because people do get shot and stabbed in the UK each and every day of the year, so therefore regardless of the fact that more people in the US own guns, the actual risk of weapons being used is exactly the same. And just because we don’t have as many guns in circulation here in the UK as in the US, knife crime here is soaring! The risks of an attack maybe statistically less, but they are still there, and therefore training in disarming techniques should be part of every bodyguard’s ongoing training programme, regardless of where you live in

the world. I also heard one very stupid and ignorant CPO argue that disabling an attack could result in a prosecution of the bodyguard; this was his genuine argument for not training in unarmed combat! He didn’t want to get arrested if ever he had to use his training countering an attack. Yes, I know, hard to believe that someone actually working in this business and with a UK SIA licence to protect actually thinks this way. My reply was simple; firstly don’t be a bodyguard if you think that you might get arrested for doing your job and secondly, an untrained, unskilled bodyguard is actually more likely to do more damage and could possibly go too far in order to compensate for their lack of skills than someone skilled and trained. To disarm and disable an attacker in

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE a controlled and efficient manner, or to kick the shit out of someone in untrained and uncontrolled manner; I am not a legal expert but I am sure a court would favour the first. Also, if a five-man BG team consisted of only one unarmed combat trained BG, if an attack did occur and the unarmed combat trained BG was disabled, what then? Not only the Principal, but the whole team would be at risk because no one else had any training!

I wonder how many thousands of protection officers worldwide can honestly put their hand on their hearts and say they have the necessary close quarter combat training to counter an attack on their client, if an attack ever happened? Probably very, very few. And I wonder how many protection officers worldwide are arrogant enough to say they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need any unarmed combat training, probably very, very many!

I remember chatting to an American friend and extremely experienced protection Someone recently said to me officer who, throughout that they have been working his very long career, has in close protection for almost protected US Senators, two ten years and have not US Presidents, and some of trained, nor will ever train in any form of unarmed combat. the most famous celebrities in the world. When I told him Their reason is because that the British Government nothing has ever happened SIA had not made any form and they plan each operation of self-defence, control and so well they are confident restraint or unarmed combat nothing will ever happen. training compulsory for Close Protection Officers, he almost I think this attitude is arrogant fell off his seat laughing! When and completely wrong. How I told him there were well can someone in this industry, over fifteen thousand licensed protecting the life of someone close protection operatives in else, even think this way? But the UK, with probably about sadly, many, many do. 80-90% having no unarmed

How many protection officers worldwide are arrogant enough to say they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need any unarmed combat training 32

UNARMED COMBAT? combat or self-defence skills whatsoever, he was then visibly shocked. Actually, he didn’t believe me! He thought I was pulling his leg. When he asked me what psychological vetting and controls were in place for hopeful CPOs, I said that, apart from a criminal record check, currently in the UK there are no other vetting requirements to get a licence to protect someone else’s life. When he asked if fitness was a factor in training, I told him no; you can be totally unfit, hugely overweight, have no self-defence training, be unable to drive and, before attending a course, sweep streets or stack supermarket shelves, and yet still get a British Government approved licence to operate as a Close Protection Officer in the UK. Blood drained from his face. He thought either I, or the British Government (or both!), were completely mad.

physical skills required to protect?” I told him that when licensing for CPOs was first introduced into the UK, the Security Industry Authority placed total and absolute emphasis on advance training and conflict management skills, but omitted many of the other key and immensely important skills that are most certainly required for protection officers when things don’t always go to plan. They stupidly and naively thought that, with even the basic skills, most situations could be resolved effectively. What idiots!

I have been very lucky in my career both in security and protection, as well as later as a writer and author, and have travelled the world meeting BGs from many countries including the USA, South America, The Balkans, Russia (and many other eastern “How can the British European countries), and Government license almost all are tough men and protectors that are simply experts in unarmed combat. unable to protect?” he asked The best bodyguards are unbelievingly. “And how undoubtedly the best trained, can the British Government so if you want to be one of the accredit a protection course best, get yourself fully trained which simply does not prepare and don’t make excuses for anyone, in any way, with the your own inadequacies. Robin Barratt started his career in the security industry working on the doors, he then made the transition into close protection and has gone on to work all over the world, specialising in providing security and protection services in Russia. Today, Robin is known as a successful freelance writer and published author. For more information, go to: www.robinbarratt.co.uk

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Women In The Close Protection Industry

By: Denida Zinxhiria

Anyone who has read my articles knows that I base most of them on questions or inquiries from those professionals who either offer good and accurate advice or from those who ask for it. First, I prefer placing female CPO’s with female clients or their children for the client’s comfort or peace of mind. Some males are easily suited to this task but the client may simply think that a male does not belong in constant close proximity and occasionally in isolated private settings with the kids or a client’s wife. This can be equally true with female CPO’s and male clients but the concern of inappropriate behavior with the children dissolves when a female is placed with them. Remember, it’s always up to the client. The most active topics to come through my office are all related to females in the

Executive Protection industry. As a female CPO, a business owner and as the founder of a successful training academy exclusive to females in the Personal Protection Industry, I will address a few of the most popular statements I am routinely tasked with arguing against. “A female CPO is better than a male CPO” Your gender doesn’t make you better in this profession. What allows you to outperform a colleague or be more suited to a specific task is how well you meet or can adapt to a client’s specific need. In our case, the security needs that a client

34 24

WOMEN IN THE CLOSE PROTECTION INDUSTRY

What allows you to outperform a colleague or be more suited to a specific task is how well you meet or can adapt to a clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specific need. 35 25

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE may have might be provided by a female, male, canine or even a machine. “It is very hard for a woman to break into this industry” Well it is also difficult for a male to break into this industry. Training, experience, personality, knowledge of how to dress, how to drive and a really well polished CV mean nothing if you believe that you have some preordained right to be here. Both women and men alike will be passed over equally if they lack humility, charm, manners, couth, education, social polish or real world experience. Which of these is most important?

Training, experience, personality, knowledge of how to dress, how to drive and a really well polished CV mean nothing if you believe that you have some preordained right to be here.

“It is hard to find a job” Keep in mind that the market for female CPO’s has historically been smaller which means you have to compete harder to get the job. It is worth mentioning that in cases where security is needed for females and kids, many clients are looking for not just female CPOs but feminine looking females to place next to their wife, sister or daughter so if you are a female with a very harsh or more masculine appearance, you reduce your

WOMEN IN THE CLOSE PROTECTION INDUSTRY chances of being hired. And if a male appears too feminine or too “cute” or even too “handsome” he may not be hired either. You see, it is not your gender, it is the appearance you choose to reflect to your client, and it is your client’s perception you must cater to in order to get hired.

Some don’t have a passport. Some don’t have a local State license and can’t drive. Some have no firearms license or experience with anything mechanical.

Additionally, my records show that a majority of females who want to break into the industry seem to be older than 40 years of age. It seems that many women who are retired Law Enforcement or military are looking to get into the private security industry. The fact is that unless you are applying for a Nanny position, most clients are looking for 25 to 35-year-old CPO’s with at least 5 years of experience. So at 38 to 40 with no experience, men and women alike stand less of a chance against a younger experienced CPO.

Understand that if you don’t have the licenses or other qualifications, you will never be considered for a position, so act in advance. And if you make a misstatement of facts to get hired, you will get fired and never hired again.

Some are waiting to apply for licenses as they are interviewed and being hired by a client or a company.

Many female candidates are not willing to relocate due to being married with kids. Although a male CPO can leave his wife and kids behind, it is traditionally harder and less socially acceptable for a female CPO to do so. Many women in the U.S. left to fight in the Gulf War in 2002. The practice Finally, among those women of the Father staying behind who complain that they can’t became acceptable there and the trend quickly spread find a job, a vast majority to other countries. of them do not have what it takes to be hired. Having Some women practice a large database of female the outward arrogance candidates and qualified associated with a man’s operatives allows me to compare them to each-other. success when they have a couple of good assignments and don’t recognize when Here is what I found out of this attitude is rejected by 400 applications:

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Does my personality, loyalty, integrity, knowledge, skill and ability add to the client’s needs or solutions?

the client or colleagues. This is a problem with the men too so again, no difference. The result is, if you rub the placement company or client the wrong way, your CV goes in the trash. Turn down too many offers due to money or other issues and we will stop calling. If you don’t have a verifiable track record and reputation, you cannot make demands. Fail to answer when we call with an offer, we will not call back……ever.

other companies or clients I highly disagree with this. I have always been paid the same as the rest of the team and even more than the rest of the team when my performance or qualifications were measured against theirs. In closing, we need to clarify and understand four things:

“Female CPO’s are paid less”

1) If you are making less than your colleagues, male or female, remember that you agreed to the terms of your employment. It was your choice.

From my experience both personally being an operative and placing females with

2) If you don’t know how to ‘’sell’’ your skillset then you have missed something in

WOMEN IN THE CLOSE PROTECTION INDUSTRY your professional training. Go back to the basics and learn how to respond to a contract offer.

you are not working or not earning what you think you are worth, ask yourself the following:

3) If you are a beginner, you may have to agree to a lower rate in order to build up your experience and work portfolio. If you do your job, you will progress.

What kind of experience do I have?

4) Because of the nature of the services needed, some team members may work less hours than the rest of the team, therefore they may be paid less. If you are a female working with the kids for 6 hours a day, you cannot compare your position with a CPO that works for 10 hours driving the car or standing next to the client. If you are doing equal work on equal ground, you should argue for equal pay and equal treatment. If you don’t like the terms, don’t take the job. If you find out after you accept a position that you are paid less, chalk it up to a lesson learned and don’t make the mistake next time. The demand for female CPO’s has increased steadily over the last decade. If

What education do I have? Does my personality, loyalty, integrity, knowledge, skill and ability add to the client’s needs or solutions? How does my CV measure up against the other candidates interviewing for a position? If you need a professional assessment of your CV or even your image or need to add to your skillset, go to our website. There is guidance there to help you. Remember, ladies: You are equal in your ability to protect a person from the threat of another but the opportunity to perform will be based on a human being assessing your value to the effort. What are you doing to increase your value to the person that needs what you offer?

Denida Zinxhiria is the Founder and CEO of Athena Worldwide LLC, Athena Academy and Nannyguards®. She is one of a few certified female Close Protection Operatives and Security Consultants in Greece. Denida holds a BSc in Counseling and Psychology, is trained in various martial arts and has also operated as a private investigator. For more information, please go to: Athena Worldwide LLC www.athenaworldwide.com Athena Academy: www.athenaacademy.com Nannyguards®: www.nannyguards.com

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Personal Security in Hotels

By: Orlando Wilson

It is inevitable that in the close protection business you will spend time in domestic and international hotels of some description. Always do your research online before booking a hotel; research crime statistics, ratings from others who have stayed there and check out the area with Google Earth. If your hotel has been booked for you by your company still research the place and if you find potential issues get them to change it.

PERSONAL SECURITY IN HOTELS

A lot of hotels do not have security personnel, a lot of times they give the security job title to the concierge staff so, on paper they have security 41

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE Over the years I have stay and worked in a wide variety or hotels from fivestar to minus-star and boutique to roach house. The standard or security in most hotels is very low and it is not hard for non-hotel residents to go up onto the hotel floors. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concerning that most travelers expect and believe the hotels they are staying in to be secure, I tell my clients they should take the same precautions inside hotels as they would on the street. A lot of hotels do not have security personnel, a lot of times they give the security job title to the concierge staff so, on paper they have security personnel and can keep the insurance costs down for the hotel. Even in large five-star hotels they usually only have one security person on duty at a time. In my experience, the standard of hotel security personnel can range from good to appalling. There is one large high profile London hotel where the only reason they have a security team is to keep their insurance costs down. The hotel has 14 miles of corridor, over 1000 rooms, multiple entrances and there is only one

unmotivated security person on at a time- in a place like this you are on your own. Security is usually low on a hotels managements list of priorities, as they are more interested in keeping their rooms full. Most hotels will only do the minimum to comply with local security regulations and keep their insurers happy. One story that highlights the failings of hotel security happened in the late 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at a five-star hotel on the exclusive Sloane Street in central London. The hotel policy was that when the female maids were cleaning the guestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rooms they had to leave the room doors open for their own personal security, they were not supposed to be in a room alone with a guest. An experienced hotel thief was in the hotel and walking the floors; he was dressed in a decent suit with a brief case and looked very corporate. He entered a room which was being cleaned and ask the maid to finish up as he wanted to take a shower, the maid thinking the thief was the guest who was staying in the room finished and left. In a lot of five-star hotels

PERSONAL SECURITY IN HOTELS

This guy was a professional and he did not finish there. He telephoned the hotel reception from the room phone and told them he had forgotten the combination to the safe in the room. Guests forgetting combinations and safe’s malfunctioning is something that happens quite often.

staff won’t challenge guests as it is not polite to do so, it’s all about service. Now the thief was in the room and took anything of value, this guy was a professional and he did not finish there. He telephoned the hotel reception from the room phone and told them he had forgotten the combination to the safe in the room, guest forgetting combinations and safe’s malfunctioning is something that happens quite often. So, reception got the duty security guard to go up and open the safe for the thief; the security guard believed the thief was a guest as he was in the room semi-dressed and watching TV. The guard opened the safe told the thief how to reprogram the combination and politely left room. The thief then emptied the safe and left the hotel. This happened during the day, professional hotel thieves usually operate during the day when hotel guests are out sightseeing or doing business. When the Japanese guests who were staying in the room returned in the evening they found all their valuables were gone and were not

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE very happy, especially when they found out that the hotel security staff had assisted the thief in the robbery. It use to amuse me when I was working in the five-star hotels in central London how everything on the surface seemed to be of the highest standard but if you looked behind the scenes it was another story. Several of the

top hotels were using a temp agency that was renowned for using illegal immigrants to supply them with back of house staff such as dish washers etc. This tempagency was cheap and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about saving pennies right? There would Royalty and Politicians upstairs eating Beluga caviar and undocumented workers downstairs opening the tins.

An experienced hotel thief was in the hotel and walking the floors; he was dressed in a decent suit with a brief case and looked very corporate.

PERSONAL SECURITY IN HOTELS I was once talking with a hotel security manager in London who had just taken over the security for a very prominent five-star hotel. He was stressed because he had gone through computer that was used for programming staff key cards and found there were over 50 master keys for hotel issued, that were valid and a lot unaccounted for. There should only have been about four master key cards on issue for the general manager, duty manager, security manager and duty security. The reason there were so many master keys on issue was because it was easier to program a card for all areas rather than the specific floors and rooms the individual staff members needed. Most hotels use electronic key cards but how many reprogram locks and void lost key cards or those guests have not handed in when they checked out. So, combine the fact that anyone can walk into most hotels and they might have a valid key card they have found or bought from an employee how secure do you think you are in most hotels, same as if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re on the street.

Another example of hotel crime took place several years ago to my business partner in Caracas who was providing security for a lady who was visiting for several weeks; he picked her up from the airport and was escorting her around the city. She was staying in a very good hotel and when he was not with her she was in her hotel suite. After a week or so this lady started to get threatening text messages on her cell phone from someone asking for a large sum of money. This was baffling to us as the lady had been keeping a very low profile so, an operation was initiated and the potential extortionist entrapped. It turned out the extortionist worked in the hotel, he was the Fedex man and got the ladies cell phone number and details from a package she had received. This wannabe criminal was fired from his job and the police would have been happy to arrest him but the lady thought him losing his job was enough punishment and did not press charges, he was very lucky. So, hopefully you are beginning to see that security is not high on

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A lot of shady business takes place in hotels and they are choice locations for prostitutes, thieves and fraudsters. most hotels priority list. A lot of shady business takes place in hotels and they are choice locations for prostitutes, thieves and fraudsters. When selecting a hotel find one that provides you with comfort and security, I don’t need five-star services so, tend to choose the smaller and quieter places where it is easy for strangers and nonresidents to be spotted.

•

Security considerations for a hotel stay • Complete a threat assessment on the hotel before your stay. • Check to ensure the hotel is not in or close to any high crime areas • Make sure the hotel is not near any other building that could have a threat • against them such as police or military barracks, etc. • Have a security plan • and make sure everyone traveling with you knows it. • • Liaise with hotel staff

and find out what security procedures they have in place, if they have cameras where are they located, do they work and are they recording. Try to check out other guests, you don’t want to be staying near a highrisk VIP’s, as if they are targeted you might get caught up in the incident. Your rooms should be above the second floor and at the end of a corridor; high enough so nothing can be thrown through the window but still within easy reach of fire fighters’ ladders. And at the end of a corridor so you are close to fire escapes and will not have to many people walking past your room. Locate possible criminal surveillance positions around the exterior of the hotel and monitor them. Keep an eye out for suspicious people in the public areas of the hotel. Search all rooms before occupation for electronic

PERSONAL SECURITY IN HOTELS surveillance devices or contraband that could have been left by the previous guest. • If possible let no one into your rooms unattended, use the do not disturb sign to keep out the maids. • Do not let anyone in your room without confirming who they are with the hotel reception. Think about it, if a man turned up at your door in a security uniform, with an ID badge claiming to be hotel security and needed to talk to you would you open the door, most people would.

Your rooms should be above the second floor and at the end of a corridor

Anyone can buy a uniform and you can make ID cards on your computer, always confirm someone’s ID with the hotel reception. • Work out how you can secure the hotel room, check to make sure the windows are lockable, if there is a balcony could someone climb or drop onto it. See if there is anything you can use to block the door such as a chair or table, if it won’t stop an intruder it should at least be able to wake you up. • There are numerous small and affordable security

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Make plans for evacuating the hotel in the event of an emergency, remember do not use obvious evacuation routes as they could be booby trapped or ambushed.

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alarms on the market that can be used for a hotel room ranging from door and window alarms to motion detectors. If there is an incident are you going to fight or flee, is there a suitable safe room such as a bathroom and how long will you need to hold out until help arrives? Make plans for evacuating the hotel in the event of an emergency, remember do not use obvious evacuation routes as they could be booby trapped or ambushed. Check that your mobile/ cell phone works and you are not in a signal dead spot. Will you have internet access and will it be

•

secure. Do not leave valuables in your hotel room; put them in the main hotel safe, if possible. Criminals can get master keys for hotel room safes. Do not throw sensitive information in the trash cans, soak and throw it away outside of the hotel or flush it down the toilet If your room has a fridge, do not use any ice cubes, as they could be spiked or poisoned as can any snacks and drinks. Always know where the nearest hospital is, what first aid equipment and first aid trained staff does the hotel have. Try to blend in with the environment and make plans for every emergency

Orlando Wilson has worked in the security industry internationally for over 25 years. He has become accustomed to the types of complications that can occur, when dealing with international law enforcement agencies, organized criminal and Mafia groups. He is the chief consultant for Risks Inc. and based in Miami but spends much of his time traveling and providing a wide range of kidnapping prevention and tactical training services to private and government clients.

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PERSONAL COUNTERING VEHICLE SECURITY ATTACKS SNIPERS IN HOTELS

FIT FOR PURPOSE By: Ryan Naish

Fit for Purpose

Nine years have passed since I wrote my first article for The Circuit magazine and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been interesting to see how the security Industry has evolved, both good and bad. From a physical training perspective, the evolution of my own personal practice, my approach to nutrition and what I advise for the general population has dramatically changed over these years. A combination of research, trial and error, ego and being fit for purpose are some of the determining factors that have caused the shift in mindset. There should be no doubt that security personnel in all roles should be fit for purpose, but what does that actually mean and how can

it be implemented? In my opinion it is role dependent and should incorporate health and wellbeing as the major factor with performance based fitness making up a very small part, if at all. Some of the key causes of poor work performance and sick days are due to the high amount of stress, bad diet and underlying health problems that plague modern day living. It is the responsibility of the individual to address these issues and make better choices,

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE but employers also have a duty of care to put things in place to assist and facilitate the employees. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a win win situation as there would be less sick days taken, improved productivity and a mutual appreciation between employer and employee. Contrastingly, many of us in the Industry are contractors and we know that situations and circumstances are going to be far from ideal, so the self-discipline we possess along with the choices we make are even more important. Physical Training I will outline what I have learnt from on the ground research and experiences that have formed my approach to training and practice. I have taken a broad approach and deliberately avoided going too deep in detail enabling you to explore subjects that are of interest to implement into your lifestyle and current training programme

We live in a social media driven society and often do things through subconscious conditioning, as opposed to what would benefit us as individuals and positively effect our health and wellbeing.

Fitness Vs Health - As I stated in the first paragraph, the way I look at physical culture has dramatically changed; age and injuries have dictated that I adapt or die, metaphorically speaking. The question to always ask yourself is what am I actually training for? It is important to be honest and

FIT FOR PURPOSE use the answers to formulate a training programme or general approach to movement practice. We live in a social media driven society and often do things through subconscious conditioning, as opposed to what would benefit us as individuals and positively effect our health and wellbeing. Most of us experience a fair amount of stress in our life and this in turn causes inflammation which can manifest itself in illness. Work, family and

financial stressors can take their toll, so any training we do should be to improve our body and mind, not break them down further. As I have written in past articles, GPP or general physical preparedness is what I recommend; be a generalist not a specialist and adopt exercise strategies that will encourage longevity over short-term performance. Address the keys to longevity: cardio respiratory fitness, balance, reaction

Bear Crawl Natural movements that provide strength, mobility, balance and coordination should be added to the daily routine

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE speed, mobility and muscular strength.

and mobilising the joints in between bouts of sitting (RST a classic example) and Mobility v Flexibility - It developing a mobility routine is commonly thought that that suits individual anatomy when we mention mobility and restrictions. Youtube has and flexibility, we are talking a huge amount of worthwhile about the same thing. They’re and user friendly content, not and it is important that functional range conditioning you know the difference (FRC) is worth exploring; Dr between the two: Andreo Spina and Dewey Nielsen specifically. Flexibility refers to “ The ability of the soft tissues Diet (muscles) to stretch passively The cornerstone to health. through a range of motion These are a few basic (ROM)”. Whereas Mobility is principles that I employ for the “ability of a joint to move maximum effectiveness, actively through a ROM”. especially if the food choices available are out of my In short, your muscles will control or not ideal. only stretch as far as the joint and joint capsule allow. Nutrients and Calories Factors that effect mobility The general conditioning is to and limit it are: generally look at everything as macropoor posture, desk work, nutrients in food, namely: sitting, lack of muscular protein, carbohydrates and strength and injuries (past fat. Whilst it is important and present). We become to differentiate between good at what we do most the three and understand of the time; if we sit in a what foods contain what bad posture for long periods predominantly, the main at work or home then focus should be on what we inevitably become an micro-nutrients the foods expert in that. Our ROM contain. The purpose of will gradually decrease, eating is to fuel the body shortening the muscles (macro-nutrients), but more over time and effectively importantly to repair it being dragged into an even (micro-nutrients). When we worse posture, a vicious talk about micro-nutrients, cycle. It’s not all doom and these are the vitamins and gloom though, ROM can be minerals that food contain. improved with persistence This is one of the reasons and a change in mindset. that processed food is bad Consciously getting up for the body. The more you

FIT FOR PURPOSE

How a plate of food should look, nutrient dense whole foods, when they’re available, get them down you

process it, the less nutrient dense it becomes and the less dietary fibre it contains; this is why many foods need to be fortified with vitamins and minerals. A general rule of thumb is to eat whole foods where possible and fill the majority of the plate with non starchy vegetables (this is where most of the micronutrients will be found). Intermittent fasting - This has increased in popularity of late and made far more complicated than it actually is. I started IF in 2013 after reading “why does breakfast make me hungry” by Martin Berkhan of leangains.com . When I ate breakfast soon after waking I found that very quickly I would feel hungry again and tired. The basic principles are that increasing the fasting period will allow the body

to process all the food and get on with regenerating the cells throughout the body. By eating early and grazing all day, the organs spend all day processing food, add to that: high intensity exercise, stressful work and limited sleep and it’s no wonder we don’t operate optimally. There are different methods with fasting, but the one that works best for me is the 16/8 (16 hours no food, 8 hour eating window). It’s as simple as it sounds e.g. I have my last meal finished by 8pm then my next meal would be at 12pm the following day, effectively when I “breakfast”. When I have suggested this method to people I coach or people I’ve worked with in the industry, the first reaction is “no way can i go that long without food”. It is true, the first week or two of adjustment can be difficult,

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE but the feeling of hunger soon effective way to lose weight, subsides and improve body composition and improve energy levels. I feel far more energised But don’t take my word for it, having not eaten, as strange do some more research and as it sounds. The feeling of give it a fair go. training on an empty stomach is also a good one, lighter Travel and working away and sharper in general and - I know from experience personally I have experienced how difficult it is to adhere to no slumps when doing point number one, especially strength or endurance before when working away in my first meal. If we eat hostile areas. The meat is nutrient dense food later in often of questionable quality the evening, the muscles and (this is also the case in liver will be full of glycogen, our muscles will have protein western supermarkets!), the vegetables have usually been doing its replenishing and boiled to the point that there the fats will be repairing. If are no nutrients left and there we go to sleep a couple of is an abundance of sugar hours later, why do we need based food and drinks. This to put food straight back is where we need to think into our body on waking? about making careful choices The glycogen won’t have been used and the muscles and bringing supplements if won’t require protein. Like possible. Personally I steer all things with nutrition, this clear of animal based protein won’t be an effective method powders and go for a Hemp for everyone, but fasting powder supplemented with has been proven to be an other micro-nutrients. To get dietary fibre I would bring some ground flax seed, this would keep the intestinal tract healthy and provide some roughage. A greens powder is a welcome addition, dehydrated and powdered leafy vegetables will provide the vital micro-nutrients, at least until there are good veg choices available. These could all be combined and

FIT FOR PURPOSE

Meat is often of questionable quality (this is also the case in western supermarkets!), the vegetables have usually been boiled to the point that are no nutrients left and there is an abundance of sugar based food and drinks. mixed proportionately if the luggage space is limited and makes it easier to prepare if time is short. Pre mix in a water bottle prior to going on the ground and drink it as and when or just have it once a day when the task is finished. If the role is arduous and burns a lot of calories, it may be worth bringing a ground carbohydrate mix that can be added to make a complete, easily digestible meal replacement e.g ground barley or oats. I would advise keeping it separate if you are going to pre mix the protein, flax and greens; this will allow you to control the calorie content. A great source for supplements that I have used for many years is revolution-foods.com

Try addressing these areas at whatever level you feel works for you as an individual. Some people will be rigid and jump straight in, doing it all by the letter. Others will integrate parts, discount others, find their own unique alternatives, have cheat days, drift in and out etc etc. Both approaches are a positive step in the right direction but it’s important to make yourself accountable for the changes you want to make. Write down (pen and paper, old school) your: intentions, why you are doing it and what you want to achieve. Refer to it when you need some motivation, a reminder of why you are doing it or to consolidate, review and adjust the approach.

Ryan is a former Physical training instructor in The Parachute Regiment, Movement and outdoor skills coach and still active within the security industry. He has developed a lifestyle system called “The Primal Pathway” and delivers seminars, workshops and classes to a wide demographic. Website: www.PrimalPathway.life Email: move@PrimalPathway.life Insta: Primalpathway

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Surviving Sudden Violence: Enhancing Your Safety and Survival at the Airport By: Mark â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sixâ&#x20AC;? James CPO, EPS, CAS

When it comes to surviving sudden violence whether as the result of an active shooter or other civilian mass casualty incident, I always tell people it is more important to not get shot than it is to shoot, shooting is extra credit. So, when you think about negotiating an airport whether domestically or abroad what is your personal readiness level? What is that of your family or client? When they look at an environment or a situation, how well do they see primary and secondary exits? Do they know how to use angles and layers to their benefit? Do they recognize cover? What could they potentially use as an improvised

SURVIVING SUDDEN VIOLENCE

We know the three most conditioned responses to fear are fight, flight or freeze. Without training, many defaulted to the freeze response.

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE weapon in an emergency, since the TSAs prohibit you from carrying a weapon in the secure areas of the airport? Do they recognize the chokepoints which will restrict their movements and hinder their ability to escape? Do they know how to create their own fatal funnels to stage a controlled ambush if required? Acts of terror and attacks at airports are not just limited to international travel as we have seen active shooters in the New York, Los Angeles and Ft. Lauderdale Airports. When I looked at video footage from the recent Ft. Lauderdale

Airport shooting that killed five (5) and injured six (6) it demonstrated that most people even in the face of extreme violence have little to no tactical survival skills. As I viewed the video below please find a few of my observations: 1. Most had no orientation to the direction of gunfire, even when the gunman was right in front of them. 2. Many people were freezing in place. We know the three most conditioned responses to fear are fight, flight or freeze. Without training, many defaulted to the freeze response.

SURVIVING SUDDEN VIOLENCE 3. People who were in the opposite direction of where the gunman was moving were attempting to take cover while exposing their backs to the direction of the gunfire. 4. Very few were attempting to create distance, to help increase the difficulty of the shooter to injure or kill more innocent civilians. Particularly since most shooters donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t shoot well over distance with handguns. 5. Some were laying prone on the ground attempting to take cover below the seated area, but the prone position gave them limited to no mobility with the gunman still in their immediate proximity. 6. Many were attempting to hold onto their luggage as opposed to leaving it to enhance their ability to escape and increase their mobility. 7. We also saw people walking with kids. This is a perfect example of why when we are in public

we should keep our kids close to us, and never let them run ahead. Think how easy it could have been for kids to have been cut off from their parents during the chaos and violence. When it comes to surviving active shooter events (ASE), it is important to understand the tactical triad of Distance, Cover and Concealment, and that they are your friends. Distance as we stated earlier increases the difficulty of the shot for the active killers. Cover has ballistic stopping capabilities, while concealment serves to hide you from the view of the threat. For those who arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t in protective services, law enforcement or military, they should consider taking a tactical firearmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s training class to get better oriented to gunfire, tactics to survive with or without a firearm and most importantly how to maintain situational awareness in the face of extreme and sudden violence.

If the first responders move you to areas such as the tarmac or hangers avoid taking cover in areas that may house flammable liquids such as jet fuel. 61

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE Be aware of people’s activities around you even in places where there is an expectation of privacy. While I am not looking to watch someone in the restroom take a whiz, be attune to something that stands out. And don’t be afraid to contact the authorities. It is reported the Ft. Lauderdale shooter went into the men’s room and retrieved his firearm from his checked luggage and loaded it.

shooters often pick soft targets with high crowd counts and a low presence of security, going forward we should demand of our public officials a higher profile presence of law enforcement at our airports to serve as visual deterrents to potential terrorists (foreign or domestic).

Understanding the Role of the First Responder The first response team will typically be a small unit of Despite what some may officers or may be a solo believe active shooters officer. They may be in while they may be evil or uniform or plain clothes but emotionally disturbed they will generally be identifiable are not super human. In as law enforcement either over 50% of the time the by uniform, badge or tactical shooter is terminated, the vest. Don’t expect first clear majority through responders to render first suicide, followed by being aid; their initial concern is killed by law enforcement. neutralizing the threat. So Even in the absence of a initially you will be on your gun, civilians are encouraged own. If the first responders to take action. Thirteen move you to areas such percent (13%) of the time as the tarmac or hangers they are restrained by avoid taking cover in areas unarmed civilians and only that may house flammable 4% of the time the event liquids such as jet fuel. is concluded by armed As those areas, could be citizens. So, despite the boobytrapped. political climate around CCW holder most of the time they International Terror are not on location when a While active shooters may be ASE occurs so the impact responsible for the majority is minimal. If you travel of civilian mass terror events internationally rarely will in the US, the international you be able to travel with tool of terror is explosives. a firearm so it is important Over 70% of the acts of to understand protective terror committed abroad strategies that involve involve IEDs. So as terrorist unarmed countermeasures. organizations try to recruit Also since most active or influence the activation of

SURVIVING SUDDEN VIOLENCE

home grown terrorists our thinking around enhancing our protective capabilities must evolve.

multifaceted conventional weapons and tactics. These incidents may involve conventional weapons, the use of fire as a weapon, Understanding the chemical weapons, and/or Istanbul Airport Terrorist improvised explosives. The Attack terrorist in at the Turkish When we look at the terrorist airport used a combination attack at the Ataturk Airport of automatic weapons and in Istanbul, Turkey in June explosive vests to create the of 2016 that killed 45 people carnage. So, the go forward and injured 230, we saw the challenge for protectors and terrorists incorporated the travelers is to prepare for use of Hybrid Target Violence violent â&#x20AC;&#x153;hybridâ&#x20AC;? multi-threat (HTV), to increase the body- incidents. Attacks of this count. HTV is defined as nature defy conventional an intentional use of force thinking about protection to cause physical injury strategies involving active or death to a specifically shooters about the role of identified population using police, fire, and emergency

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medical professionals. HTV events demand cooperative strategies by both officials and private security entities to efficiently neutralize complex threats that are beyond the capacity of a single first responder discipline. IED Precautions and Takeaways • Over 70% of all terrorist attacks outside of the US involve IEDs. • 15 – 20 lb. range is the largest size explosive a bomber can easily carry, particularly without altering their gate. • Be cautious of people carrying backpacks or luggage that appears heavy. • Be cautious of people carrying backpacks in places that are not normal. • Be cautious of abandoned luggage immediately create distance particularly in heavily trafficked public places. • Critical stand-off distance is 15 meters (100% mortality rate inside of 5 meters). • If you see a IED you are already too close. • If you suspect an explosive device do not use your phone within 50 meters.

• Suicide Bombers often have handlers. The handler’s job is to protect the bomber from LE, Military or armed Civilians. We saw this at the theater in Paris. • Suicide Bombers tend to detonate when confronted. • Does the person you suspect as a potential bomber appear to be focused on someone or has just recently concluded a conversation with someone? If you are in a building during an explosion, get your client or family member under some cover if debris are falling. Be attuned to a weakened structural system, be it, the floors, stairs or ceiling. Avoid using the elevators. Once outside move away from the building, glass and other potential dangers. Be conscious of a secondary blast. If trapped under debris: Cover, Tap, Flash, Whistle. Cover your mouth and nose to avoid inhaling dangerous gases. Use your flashlight to signal your location in low light conditions or at night. Avoid unnecessary movements to limit kicking

SURVIVING SUDDEN VIOLENCE up dust which may impair your breathing. Tap on a pipe or wall to help signal your location. Use a Whistle to signal for help. The whistle will help conserve energy and the volume of the whistle is much louder than your shouting voice. Uncontrolled Hemorrhaging When we look at civilian terrorist attacks, uncontrolled hemorrhaging will be the highest leverageable area that lifesaving intervention can take place in the initial moments of a terrorist attack. What medical supplies do you carry with you when you travel? What are the challenges with point of wounding care in an active shooter or suicide bomber situation? The biggest challenge is making sure the threat has been neutralized or you have gotten to a position of secure cover before treatment. If you can’t stay alive you can’t help anyone else. I dictate my supplies based on where we are going to available resources on location and the perceived risk. Most

airports have first aid kits to include AEDs etc. But take a Tactical Combat Casualty Care class to learn the science behind the treatment so even in the absence of a formal first aid kit you can understand improvised tools and aids which may assist you in treating yourself or others. However, I always have an individual first aid kit (IFAK) with me at all times when traveling. In the event of a continuation of a high threat event you may have to develop a causality evacuation/movement plan. Before a you can take action to move a patient, you must develop a rescue plan to include: • the nearest cover • accessing the risk to the responder and locating the closest cover -deciding how to best move the injured person to cover. HOPE WILL NEVER BE A PROTECTIVE STRATEGY, so do whatever it takes to survive. Please take the time to get training to learn how to be your own first line of defense. The life you save may be your own.

Mark “Six” James is Founder and Executive Director of Panther Protection Services, LLC. He is an internationally published author, keynote speaker, security consultant to educational institutions and frequent contributor to a number of print, broadcast and online media. Panther Protection Services is a full service protection agency focusing on Risk and Crisis Mitigation, Protective Services, Self-Defense Training, and Firearm Instruction. www.pantherprotectionservices.com

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE By: Drum Cussac

INCIDENT REPORT

AFRICA

Democratic Republic of Congo Dozens Killed and Injured Following Train Derailment in Kasai Occidental Province At least 24 people were killed and 31 injured in a derailment of a freight train near the settlement of Benaleka located in the Kasai-Occidental province. Local rail authorities have stated that the majority of the passengers were stowaways. Several train carriages have fallen into the Luembe River. Local authorities have suspended search operations for the moment due to lack of sufficient lighting. Such accidents are very common due to the deteriorating infrastructure. Central African Republic Armed Attacks Leave Multiple Fatalities in Basse-Kotto Prefecture Violent clashes took place between local vigilante groups and former Seleka rebels in BasseKotto prefecture. It is indicated that 18 people were killed and 40 others were wounded following attacks on five villages in the Zangba area of the prefecture. The United

Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission Force in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) has since urged armed groups to cease hostilities and respect the terms of the Khartoum Peace Agreement signed in Bangui on 6 February. Burkina Faso Scores Killed in Ethnic Clashes near Arbinda in Soum Province The number of people believed to have been killed in inter-communal clashes in the commune of Arbinda in Soum province has risen to 62. Nine people have also reportedly been kidnapped. Armed individuals reportedly entered the village of Hamkan and murdered a village leader and his relatives, leading to the clashes between communities in several surrounding villages. Government officials reported that 30 people had died as a result of the communal conflicts between different ethnic tribes and that militants operating in the region had capitalised on the situation and killed a further 32. Local religious leaders have

in recent weeks. Tens of thousands of people have been affected by the floodwaters, which are expected to continue to rise in the upcoming days. Road closures and evacuations South Africa Port St. Johns Evacuated are expected to increase as the water levels rise. Due to Flooding, Mudslides Reported United States Heavy rains have forced Fatalities Confirmed thousands of evacuations in Port St. Johns in Eastern after 'Severe' Tornado Hits Monroe County, Province due to flooding. Mississippi Emerging social media At least two people have sources report mudslides died after a 'severe' that have forced road tornado hit Monroe closures between Port County, Mississippi. First St. John's and Mthatha. responders have reported Disaster management that a number of homes teams are reportedly have been damaged due in place to assist with to the tornado, and there evacuations. is an unknown number of injured. The tornado comes Paraguay as a dangerous 'supercell' Officials Announce travels through a number of 90-Day Emergency states, including Mississippi Declaration Following and Alabama. The supercell Prolonged Flooding in has the potential to cause Asuncion a number of severe The Paraguayan tornadoes, so those in the government has enacted immediate area should a 90-day emergency after monitor its progress until continued rain has caused further notice. widespread flooding in the capital, Asuncion. Mexico The National Emergency Multiple Fatalities Minister, Joaquin Roa, Reported following declared the emergency Armed Attack In after water levels in the Minatitlan, Veracruz Paraguay River and its State tributaries have risen called for calm amongst the communities and additional security personnel have been deployed to the region.

AMERICAS

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INCIDENT REPORT Mitiga International Airport Aircraft operated by the Libya National Army (LNA) have conducted at least one airstrike in the immediate vicinity of Mitiga International Airport (MJI). The extent of damage caused by the strike, in addition to any information regarding injuries or fatalities, is unavailable at this time. Early and unverified reports suggest that flights to and from the airport have been suspended and the passenger terminal has been evacuated. This development comes during fighting between the LNA and forces loyal to the internationally-recognised Lybia Government of National Emerging Reports of LNA Airstrike at Tripoliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Accord (GNA) as the LNA At least 13 people were killed in an attack by several gunmen at a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s party in the municipality of Minatitlan in Veracruz State. The gunmen were seeking an owner of a local bar at the party. After they failed to find them they opened fire. Most of the victims were women and children. The six gunmen are suspected of being enforcers of a drug cartel. The two main cartels operating in Veracruz are Los Zetas and their main rivals the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Local security forces are conducting operations in the area.

Paraguay

Afghanistan

seeks to take control of the city. At least 25 people and 80 others have been wounded as a result of these clashes. Syria Multiple Civilians Reported Killed in Regime Bombings in Idlib, Hama and Aleppo Provinces A war monitoring organisation has stated that shelling by Syrian government forces in parts of northwest Syria has killed 17 civilians. Several incidents occurred in parts of Idlib, Hama and Aleppo

provinces, in a region that is supposedly subject to a ceasefire agreement brokered between Turkey and Russia in September 2018. The northwest is the last main enclave for antigovernment forces, but is also home to around 3 million refugees. Afghanistan Several Suspected Taliban Fighters Killed Following Operations in Arghanj Khwa District, Badakhshan Province 14 suspected Taliban fighters were killed and seven more injured

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

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INCIDENT REPORT following operations by Afghan security forces in Arghanj Khwa District located in Badakhshan Province. The operation was conducted in order to retake the district from the Taliban who occupied it last week. The district is the first in Badakhshan Province to fall to the Taliban this year although nearby Kohistan, Warduj and Yumgan districts were previously in the Talibanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possession in 2018.

EUROPE

Northern Ireland, UK Police Treat Shooting as Terrorist Incident as Woman Shot Dead in Derry and Petrol Bombs Thrown at Police Vehicles An incident is being treated as a terrorist incident following the death of a 29-year-old woman. Reports state that, in a clash between unknown assailants and police, petrol bombs were thrown at security service vehicles and a woman shot dead, with police now launching a murder enquiry. The circumstances that led to the confrontation are currently unclear, however, security operations are reportedly still underway in the area.

Italy Dozens Injured as Trains Collide in Como Province Over 50 passengers have been injured after two trains collided head-on at low speed between Arosio and Merone on the Como-Lecce line in Como province. Most of the injuries are believed to be minor, although at least four people are said to be in a serious condition. The exact cause of the collision is not confirmed, although some reports suggest one train ran a red signal. Emergency responders are currently on the scene. England, UK Police Issue Warning following a Number of Random but Linked Stabbings in Edmonton, London The police have issued a warning to the public in London, following a number of random but linked stabbings in Edmonton, London. Police have said the four victims were alone at the time and stabbed from behind without warning. While some details remain unknown, it is believed one of the victims was stabbed at Seven Sisters tube station,

another in the Brettenham Road area of N18. Of the four victims, two are in hospital with non-life threatening injuries, but two are currently in hospital with life-threatening/ changing injuries. Ukraine Several Injured in Shooting in Kamianske, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Three people were injured in a shooting which occurred in the centre of the city of Kamianske located in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. One of the injured was a known political activist and is thought to have been the target of the shooting. The two other victims were female passers-by. The attackers shot at the activist from a vehicle and sped away shortly after. Attacks, especially on activists involved in investigations into corruption, often occur in central and southern parts in Ukraine.

pulled them out of a passenger bus and shot them dead in Balochistan province. The incident happened on the Makran Coast highway in the Ormara area of Gwadar district. At least two people managed to flee from the gunmen. No group have claimed responsibility for the attack. Further information is awaited.

China Dozens of Fatalities following Explosion at Chemical Company in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province At least 47 people have been killed, and a further 640 injured, following an explosion at the Tianjiayi Chemical Company pesticide plant in the Chenjigang Industrial Park in Yancheng, Jiangsu province. The resultant fire from the blast spread to neighbouring factories and was finally brought under control a day later. The cause of the explosion is still being investigated, Pakistan however reports indicate Multiple Fatalities the company produces more Reported following Attack on Passenger Bus than 30 organic chemical compounds, some of which in Balochistan Province 14 people have been killed are highly flammable, and it has previously been cited after militant insurgents

ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

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INCIDENT REPORT Balochistan

160 injured and 79 are still missing. At least 11,000 people have also been displaced with hundreds of Indonesia houses severely damaged Scores Killed and and several roads and Thousands Displaced bridges damaged too. The following Flash Floods and Landslides in Papua worst affected area was identified as the region Province There has been an increase around the provincial capital in casualty figures following Jayapura, particularly Sentani. Emergency the recent flooding and services have been deployed landslides in Papua province, Indonesia. Reports to help clear blocked roads and continue search and now indicate at least 104 rescue operations. people have died, a further and fined for work safety violations.

Drum Cussac is a global security consultancy responsible for ensuring the safety of more than 15 million lives across hundreds of organisations on a daily basis. Our Intelligence and Analysis Services team specialises in providing in-depth analysis of global risks via inhouse experts, cutting edge technology and a comprehensive global source network. Web: www.drum-cussac.com

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Keeping Your Edge:

Does Fitness Matter Anymore?

By: Elijah Shaw

I want to start this edition of Keeping Your Edge by giving you a glimpse into how my non-operational days go, those are the days Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not actively moving around with a client.

KEEPING YOUR EDGE

The great majority of the Close Protection Programs on the market do not have a physical component to them. Traditionally, I wake up early, prepare a breakfast shake that’s high in protein, contains a serving of greens and, at times, slow burning carbs. Afterwards, I head to the gym to get a workout in. Those workouts usually consist of weight training and cardio. Depending on my available time, I also crosstrain, alternating a martial art (currently Boxing) with Yoga. If I don’t have the time (or the energy) to get all that in, in the morning, then I move the cross-training to the PM workout. That’s 1-2 workouts a day, with no days off, although some days I go lighter than others to give my body a bit of a break.

fan, the Protector’s primarily responsibility is to cover and evacuate the client. That’s difficult to do if you can’t even make it half a block without getting winded. Which brings me to the point of this article. Are we as protectors, just giving lip service to the physical nature of the craft? Yes, this is a thinking man’s game and the best muscle to work out is the mind, however, are we really preparing for that “Moment of Truth,” the one we hope never happens on our watch, but that we nonetheless have to plan for?

Just like in society, the men and women of our industry Now with that said, I am no come in all shapes and sizes. means a bodybuilder or a I’m of the belief that much like fitness-freak with biceps so big a football team, some body that my I have to wear more types fit into some positons holsters for the two additional better than others. With that “guns.” Standing 6’-3” and said, keeping with the football weighting 226lbs, I think I’m analogy, all of the players still pretty proportional. When have to make try-outs. And working out I try and balance that’s where my analogy starts strength and dexterity, yes, I to lose steam, you see the want to be strong, but I also great majority of the Close want to be able to touch my Protection Programs on the toes. Equally as important, I market do not have a physical want to be quick enough on component to them. Anyone my feet to be able to respond who signs up and pays their to a threat. My philosophy is, money can take them, and in in the event the crap hits the most cases the most strenuous

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE lifting you will do is with the pen to take notes. Now as an instructor and business owner I get the reasons why, for one, there are just so many hours in a program, how much of it do you devote to any type of physicality? Better to leave that to a dedicated martial arts class or similar where there’s a chart of progression. The other reason is pure economics, if students know there is a physical component to the course and they have a worry about the shape they are in, they might just pass on your class and seek out another where they won’t have those concerns. Again, I get it, however are we doing our industry and the client’s justice? But let’s say the course that you graduated from did have a physical component. Does it now become a situation where, much like the Military or Law Enforcement, you went in lean and hard, but now with no one looking over your shoulder or pushing you, the temptation of an additional slice or two of pizza is just too appealing. In the majority of instances the client is simply taking our word that if an incident were to occur requiring intervention on our part, we would “perform as advertised.” That means the pressure is on us

to not just deliver lip service and pray for the best, but also try and keep the machine that is our human body running as efficiently as possible. I’ve tried to do that in my life, not just overnight but in gradual steps. The High pace of my operational tempo and the long days and nights, not to mention that I’m not getting any younger, have made me pretty health conscious. For example, I don’t do dairy, have eliminated all sugar from beverages, and having never been a coffee drinker, only use tea as my caffeine source. I’ve also campaigned to those that I mentor to adapt whatever healthy lifestyle choices they can. However, I hope they didn’t let the advice go in one ear and right out the other, if so, some of them are in for a rude awakening. Following in the footsteps of some of my forward-thinking industry peers, my Firm has recently instituted a Fit Test with a minimal set of requirements that will have to be successfully passed to work with our clients. I’m not comfortable with selling the client a fancy marketing plan, instead I want them to be confident that the Agents on their assignments have both the brains and the brawn to complete the task at hand.

Elijah Shaw is the National Director of the North American Bodyguard Association and an international security consultant.

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global events map GSX 2019 Conference Sept 8-12, 2019. Chicago, IL

Physical Cyber Convergence Forum 13 June, 2019. London, UK

2020 ATAP Winter Conference Jan 28-30, 2020. Orlando, FL

ISC West March 18-20, 2020. Las Vegas NV

IPSB Close Protection Conference Dec 12-14, 2019. Las Vegas, NV

Physical Cyber Convergence Forum 22 Aug, 2019. Phoenix, AZ

Security500 18th Nov 2019. Ritz Carlton, Pentagon City, US

ASIS Regional Conference - Latin America 15-16 Oct, 2019. Mexico City, Mexico 12th Annual CSO Summit 5-7 May 2019. Capital Hilton, Washington, DC

GLOBAL EVENTS MAP The Emergency Services Show 2019 18-19 Sept 2019. NEC, Birmingham, UK

Edge of Network Security Forum. 30 Oct 2019. London, UK

Executive Security and CP Technology Forum Jan 30, 2020. London, UK

Future of Super Yachts Conference Oct 15, 2019. Mallorca, Spain

ASIS Europe Prague 2020 April 1-3, 2020. Prague, CZ

Security Exhibition and Conference 24-26 July, 2019. Darling Harbor, Sydney, Australia

ASIS regional Conference Middle East 4-6 Nov 2019. Manama, Bahrain, UAE.

BIDEC Oct 28-30, 2019. Bahrain, UAE

Do you have a security event that is not listed here that you would like our readers to know about? Contact us: info@circuit-magazine.com

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE

One mans Terrifying Ordeal:

By: Mark Deane

KIDNAP ON THE STREETS OF LONDONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

The True Story of an Express Kidnap on The Streets of London. The case-study that follows tells the story of Adam, a young professional heading back from a bar early one morning in a nice suburb of Greater London, UK.

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE This fascinating true story told for the first time in this article identifies that the risk of this threat exists throughout the world and that situations can develop, and deteriorate quickly. If you want to learn more about avoiding express kidnap and surviving Express kidnap I will be writing about these in upcoming issues. Express Kidnap â&#x20AC;&#x201D; A Global Threat Business Travelers are often cognizant of the risks to personal safety when traveling to cities classed as high-risk or non-permissive, however, threats such as Express Kidnap can (and do) manifest themselves in any city throughout the world. Express Kidnap is a method of abduction by criminals, usually quick, violent in nature and where a small ransom is either demanded, normally from the family or employer of the victim,

or the victim is forced to withdraw money from their ATM account. Often Express Kidnap gangs will orchestrate a scenario, either through pre-attack planning, or dynamic assault of an individual or group. The most common method is to forcefully gain and maintain control of the victim/s inside a vehicle. Then drive the victim/s around to different ATMs, and have them provide their PINs (normally through intimidation and force), withdrawing the largest amount/s possible. Surprise Attack Adam was walking back to his home in Clapham Common, an affluent section of South London after having spent the evening with friends in the local bars and nightclubs. At approximately 0400hrs that morning, after realizing he had no money left for a taxi or bus decided to walk the short distance home (approximately one mile)

On the floor, Adam fast realized he was dealing with multiple attackers who were beating him with fists and kicking him. 82

KIDNAP ON THE STREETS OF LONDON’ through a part of Clapham he knew very well and had lived in for two years. Adam later stated ‘I felt relaxed, completely safe and had no fear for my personal safety’.

breathe. Adam’s pockets were emptied while still being held “I remember the guy in the back holding me down was very aggressive, smelt of alcohol and was going through my wallet The first he knew of the asking me for all of my attack was being punched pin numbers to the credit to the ground, his assailants cards”. Adam decided to likely coming from behind. tell the truth and gave all Adam had been drinking, of his pin numbers hoping although not heavily that he would be released and through his own as soon as they had his admission had no situational money. Adam recalls “ The awareness and had switched vehicle kept on stopping and off to his surroundings. there would be movement in and out of the car, doors On the floor, Adam fast opening and closing. I realized he was dealing assumed this was the front with multiple attackers who passenger getting in and were beating him with fists out of the vehicle to use the and kicking him. He curled ATMs’. Adam’s assumptions into a ball on the ground were correct as this was and just attempted to later confirmed during minimize the damage that the subsequent police may ensue. Adam heard investigation. a vehicle pull swiftly up to them, he was dragged to The Situation Escalates his feet and bundled into Quickly the back seats, where he During this process, his for the first time managed captor in the back was to see that there was one becoming more and more male driver, one front seat aggressive, seemingly more passenger and one male agitated. He put a gun with him in the backseat to Adam’s head and then that had him restrained in a repeatedly hit him with it. headlock. His now captors Adam recalls “I remember placed a bag over his head, being very scared by this and held him in a tight as even if he didn’t kill me headlock face down making a negligent discharge of the it very difficult for Adam to firearm would have done

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the job”. It transpired that the agitation of the captors was because they could not determine which pin number was for which ATM card and possibly thought that Adam was lying to them. “I wasn’t lying” states Adam “ but these guys seemed not only drunk but also very stupid and completely disorganized”. First Escape Attempt The driving around lasted roughly one hour, with the situation growing increasingly tense. Adam was repeatedly struck around the head with the

pistol and the assailant in the rear seat was becoming more and more violent. Adam remembers: “There was very loud music being played, violent Gangster style rap about killing people. The Guy who held me was saying to me — this is my music, this is what we are going to do to you”. This is the point at which Adam decided he had to try and do something. But just then another person joined them in the rear of the vehicle. Adam is unsure whether this was the front passenger or an entirely new person. The beatings and threats

KIDNAP ON THE STREETS OF LONDON’

continued but then the vehicle stopped and the new rear passenger exited. This was Adam’s chance he thought: “I decided to pretend to pass out in the hope that the captor would loosen his grip. He did a little bit so, summoning up the courage, I tried to jump out of the moving vehicle, but as soon as I tensed and moved the captor overpowered me and stabbed me in the leg with a flick knife that I had not previously seen. Which put a stop to my plan pretty quickly, and painfully ”

By this point, Adam had been driven around for approximately one and a half hours and suddenly the vehicle stopped. As it was mid summer it was now light and Adam had moved his head just a fraction to see a tiny bit through the bag over his head. He saw a Black male in his late teens with a pierced ear and a baseball cap; this was the driver. Adam moved ever so slightly and caught a glimpse of his aggressive and agitated captor holding him in the rear of the vehicle: ‘he was a black male approximately

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I am chained to a radiator, in a couple of hours about to be shot because I was too weak to put up a fight. 20 years old, and had a tight woolen jumper on — both the rear passenger and driver were writing text messages on an old Nokia style phone and passing it between each other. “I presumed this was as the driver did not want to speak as only the guy in the back had spoken throughout my ordeal — maybe he had a distinctive accent.” Adam had a small window with which to make mental notes, he recalls remembering that the driving had been very smooth and controlled and started wondering whether they were professionals and that this could be the end of him. He had already given over all of his possessions, pin numbers, and cash and now, nearly two hours in, there was no sign of being released. “ This was the pivotal moment for me in the ordeal” Adam noted. “I began to deliberate over the best path to take. There was one part of me that desperately hoped nothing

would happen and that I would be let go shortly. There was another part of me that thought: ‘ won’t I feel like a complete idiot if I am chained to a radiator in a couple of hours about to be shot because I was too weak to put up a fight.” Adam continues to identify how he felt. “ As you can imagine there was a huge argument inside my head. It is hard to explain how difficult it was to make the decision. I was incredibly fearful of what might happen. As a guy who only ever ventured into a gym to find a vending machine the decision to take on three (maybe four) South London gangsters, one of whom had already stabbed me and I knew had a pistol and the other two or three god knows what they had, it was a tough decision. I remember very clearly recalling something my father had told me years ago. It seems strange thinking about it now but it was very clear to me then.

KIDNAP ON THE STREETS OF LONDON’ I remember him telling me the story how he saved a child trapped under a huge piece of concrete, the adrenaline gave him superhuman strength, and this stuck with me’.

the ordeal — he had been suffocating slowly under the bag, he had been stabbed in the leg and badly beaten around the head but he was willing all of his adrenaline for the next opportunity.

Second Escape Attempt Adam started screaming at himself internally willing the adrenaline and gaining the courage to initiate his attack. “I screamed and screamed like you wouldn’t believe without making a sound. Still thinking about this over a year later this is the one part that brings back the most emotion,” Adam recalls. Trying to give the appearance of being unconscious Adam was drawing on everything he had endured throughout

The vehicle stopped and the car door opened, his captors dragged him from the vehicle and at that moment he chose to escape. “I ripped the bag from my head and punched the first guy in the face. I have no idea which guy it was, but after that, I just ran but I was heavily disoriented and took a bad route. One of the guys grabbed my legs and the other two threw punches and kicks until I was on the ground, and then proceeded to rain

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kicks and punches on my face and body. They were going crazy stamping on my head and punching me, but I was screaming for help and punching back. Then one of the attackers tried to gag me by putting his fist in my mouth, I bit through his hand and then I blacked outâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Adam was beaten unconscious and dragged away by his captors. The screaming and shouting for help had however gained some attention.

Two emergency calls to the police were received from local residents. The captors now dragged Adam up a flight of stairs to a residential block of apartments and took him into a small apartment. Adam recalls: â&#x20AC;?I woke up slumped in the hallway of a small apartment with the same three people as the vehicle, within seconds of waking up my mind was clear: I was about to be

KIDNAP ON THE STREETS OF LONDON’ murdered, so I decided to act immediately. Although I had zero plan or forethought I just knew I had to do something“. Now or Never Adam stood up and immediately attacked the nearest captor, punching him in the face, and bolted for the front door. Upon opening the door the other assailants had reached him and, whether they meant to or not, ended up throwing him down the stairs in the ensuing tussle. “I remember sliding head first down the stairs and feeling elated, I was getting a head start and my body was so numb from adrenaline and all of the beatings I felt no pain. I landed at the bottom of the stairs and immediately ran.’. Upon exiting the apartment building Adam ran through the car park, shouting loudly for help to attract attention and ran approximately 500 meters to the nearest public phone where he immediately dialed 999 (The UK Emergency number) and shouted that he had been kidnapped.

Within minutes armed police and an ambulance were on the scene and his ordeal was finally over. It appeared that the shouting had gained attention and most likely scared the hostiles from pursuing. Case Study Analysis There is no mistaking — this was a horrific ordeal for Adam that could have ended very badly indeed. He showed resilience, maintained composure to build a picture of the gravity of his situation and acted decisively when he felt his life was in grave danger. There is also no mistaking however, that some sensible control measures could have prevented this: retaining sufficient cash to pay for a taxi (or indeed paid by card), refraining from such a late return home when the streets are empty and above all recognizing that the combination of the late hour and his condition would make him vulnerable, and therefore adjust his plan. Certain lessons on travel safety can be taught and it may be worth for

The captors now dragged Adam up a flight of stairs to a residential block of apartments and took him into a small apartment.

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I remember sliding head first down the stairs and feeling elated, I was getting a head start and my body was so numb from adrenaline and all of the beatings I felt no pain. Organizations to consider utilizing Travel Safety Training such as Explore SecureÂŽ Many business travelers return back to hotels late, sometimes after social time with clients (a few alcoholic drinks may even be imbibed), and sometimes on their own. In non-local environments, this places you at increased risk of being targeted. Avoiding Express Kidnap This case study serves as a reminder that the risks we face when traveling in less permissive environments can just as easily manifest themselves closer to home. The best practice method to avoid Express Kidnap is to act early to avoid becoming embroiled in an incident. The very best way

of doing this when traveling on business is by utilizing trusted drivers and vehicles, either on-call, or with you at all times. Services such as ExecSecure. Removing the risk of being left to walk home, stood on the street waiting for options to appear, utilizing public transport, or becoming impatient with waiting so taking the chance and jumping into any Taxi or ride share service. If traveling to areas where there is a specific risk of Express Kidnap and other opportunistic crime then it is prudent to consider speaking to Executive Protection and Secure Ground Transportation service providers such as www.ets-riskmanagement. com

Mark Deane, the CEO of ETS Risk Management Inc. and ExecSecureâ&#x201E;˘ Inc. Mark has managed the security for multiple Fortune 500 clients major event corporate packages, including tier one sponsors for the Olympics and Paralympics.

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CLASSIFIEDS

Classifieds

United Kingdom 3D Security Ltd Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1TG Based in Taunton 3D Security provides security services for a wide range of clients. Whether you need a security guard in Somerset, event security in Leeds or Close Protection in London we will provide a solution for your needs. T: +44 (0)1823 253 001 W - www.3dsecurity.org E - enquiries@3dsecurity.org.uk

A.B.I. Solutions A.B.I Solutions is a dynamic, forward thinking company, specialising in surveillance, security and investigations with local, national and internationalexperience. A.B.I provides a wide range of services to the corporate sector and individuals alike. W - www.abisolutions.co.uk Amanda Campbell A highly motivated and experienced female operative both CP and Surveillence training T – 07596542249 W - www.amandacampbell.org.uk E - ac@amandacampbell.org.uk Ambassador Security Management ASM MK Lions Arena, Grafton Court, Snowden Drive, Winterhill, Milton Keynes, MK6 1AJ, GBR. After successfully gaining ACS (Door Supervision and Manned Guarding) along with ISO 9000, we here at ASM have a dedicated management team with hundreds of years combined experience in the security industry. W: www.asmsecurity.co.uk E: scott@asmsecurity.com T: 08458335750

designed to help both individuals and New Companies build for the future as well as support others with training needs. T: 07725970954 W: www.atlantianbsgroup.com E: info@atlantianbsgroup.com Briareus Security Our aim is to give a complete, discreet and professional service to all of our clients, be they large corporations, small businesses, local authorities or private individuals, all tailored to meet their individual needs. W: www.briareussecurity.com E: info@briareussecurity.com

Mark Corder - Chief Executive of Carmdale Ltd Suite 3 219 Bow Road London E3 2SJ Mark is a former Senior Police Officer specialising in counter-terrorism; firearms; public order; training and also physical, Critical National Infrastructure and nuclear security, having had responsibility for the security of the UK’s nuclear deterrent. A former Head of Operations, Operational Support and Training, Mark has been involved in a number large-scale incidents (including 7/7) and has also worked at the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT) at the Home Office as part of a review into Critical National Infrastructure security. Mark has an MBA via the OU. E: mark.corder@carmdale.co.uk T: +44 (0)844 995 9900 W: www.carmdale.co.uk Alastair Christie Advice on site security, perimeter fencing, lighting, CCTV and manning requirements. Monitor and advise on guard force setting up site procedures and guard SOP’s. T : +44 (0)7736 328112 E : ally.c9496@yahoo.co.uk

Ark Personal and Asset Protection Ark, 2b Crow Lane, Rochester, Kent, ME11RF, GBR A small, efficient, highly descrete company employing ex special forces and detectives for all civil and corporate covert needs. E: Office@arkprotect.com T: +0044 01634 845526

Control Risk Management Solutions CRMS - Ireland Executive Close Protection Operations & Training (B Tec Level 3 Diploma Edexcel) Threat & Risk Assessments, Consultancy Services. W: www.crmsinternational.com E: martin@crmsinternational.com

Argus Europe County Durham Argus Europe has been providing specialist training for high-net worth clients and their families for close to 20 years, worldwide. Argus Europe now offer accredited training for CPO’s, Surveillance Operators and Private detectives. Argus Europe is an operational company working globally with an extensive variety of contracts. W: www.arguseurope.co.uk T: +44 (0) 8456 123 843

Crest Security & Surveillance Ltd 51 The Crest, West Heath, Birmingham, West Mids, B31 3QA, GBR Highly experienced Security Consultant with a proven record of accomplishment in the field of protective security. Skilled in all phases of risk assessment, operational planning, logistical organisation, implementation of security measures, security team leadership, project coordination, and delivery of security advice to a high profile clientele. E: info@stephencahill.co.uk T: 447977071427

Atlantian Business Solutions Group Rutland, LE15 6SD, GBR Atlantian Business Solutions has been

CSI Protection Ltd International, GBR A well established security consultant and personal protection operative providing high or low Key protection to high risk and prestigious clientele. Specialising in the maritime industry as a consultant for private vessel protection on super yachts world wide. W: www.csi-protection.co.uk E: gary@csi-protection.co.uk Custodia Custodia is an independent client focused Specialist Security & Risk Management Company, specialising in Risk consultancy and Security project management. Providing a comprehensive portfolio of Risk mitigation solutions to assist Businesses and individuals to plan for, manage and mitigate risk. T: 01432 277693 W: www.custodia.co.uk DF Risk Management Solutions DF Risk Management Solutions N.I. is a modern, professional risk management company, with a diverse range of global strategic experiences and a team of executives who possess dynamic but complementary backgrounds. T: +44 (0)7837642686 +44 (0)7758743918 W: www.dfriskmanagementsolutionsni. com Executive Protection Officer Worldwide CP services W: www.executiveprotectionofficer.com First Class Executive Security Nottingham, UK, Nottingham based, fullservice company specializing in Bodyguards and Security Consulting services. Extensive experience in VIP security, also caters for public and private sectors. W: www.firstclasssecurity.co.uk T: 0115 9266466 G6 Global G6 are specialists in all types of radio, telephony and satellite communications for both voice and data with particular emphasis on covert communications installations in both vehicles and fixed locations. In addition, our range of personal covert radios and bespoke accessories is extensive. W: info@g6-global.com T: +44 (0)1454 610050 Gordon Russell Highly trained frontline Close Protection Operatives available for UK and International contracts. Our experienced CPO’s can offer bespoke packages to meet all clients needs, including a variety of language skills. All SIA licenced, BBA member E: Bodyguard-cpo@Email.cz T: +44 (0)7917 281 004 Gareth Evans - CPO, MSO Reliable dedicated hard-working

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE security professional, with outstanding communication skills. Strategic approach to problem solving combined with exceptional interpersonal skills, quick to grasp new concepts and information. Highly motivated, results-driven and thrives under pressure. Strong leadership and management skills with proven experience committed to continuous personal and professional development. E : evansgareth1979@yahoo.co.uk T : +44 (0)7900058603 James Izett All close protection task undertaken, including training tasks. Medic (Registered with the HPCSA, Registered FAAW instructor and Assessor E : J.Izett@gmail.com T : +971 (0)505 574 350 Janice Gurney Proficient and diligent Security Professional gaining extensive knowledge and experience within the security sector. Proactive individual who has a logical, flexible and conscientious approach to all challenges undertaken, ability to work as a member of a team or as an individual willing to work anywhere. T : +44 (0)7885 793061 E : janice382006@gmail.com International Centre of Special Training International Centre of Special Training is an international training and security company based in the United Kingdom. Its priority objective is to provide services to the highest level. W: www.icost-team.com T: +44 796 736 55 65 IPSS Security Northfield, Aberdeen, AB16 7EX Security and protection services - UK and overseas. BBA Member. T: + 44 (0) 1224 69455 W: www.ippssecurity.co.uk ISS Training Ltd Riverside Cottages, Nidd Walk, Pateley Bridge, Harrogate, HG3 5NA ISS Training Limited are providers of specialist covert surveillance training courses and publications to the security and investigative industries, enforcement agencies and specialist military units. Formed in 1990, we are the longest established surveillance training ompany in the United Kingdom. Our credibility and reputation is widespread and we offer nationally recognised qualifications. BBA Member. T: + 44 (0) 1423 712265 W: www.intelsecurity.co.uk Jason Morris Security Hertfordshire, UK Providing a wide range of Door supervision/ security for V.I.P and prestige venues, Concerts, Functions, Corporate and Personal Security, Weddings, Private Parties, Gala Dinners, Business Awards & School Proms, Close Protection and Body Guarding Static Guarding and Stewards. T: 01462 478900 W: www.jasonmorrissecurity.co.uk E: agosselin@jasonmorrissecurity.co.uk

John Featherstone Security professional with operational experience gained in a variety of theatres. Main specialities close protection and surveillance. T: 24hrs : +44 (0)7702 740722 E: john@johnfeatherstone.co.uk W: www.johnfeatherstone.co.uk K9 Support Services Ltd K9 Support Services UK Ltd is a supplier of specialist drugs and explosives dog/ handler detection service (which includes arms & ammunition) to individuals, businesses, and the public sector. T: 0845 643 6393 E: info@k9support.org.uk Logas International Tyne & Wear, SR1, GBR Front line SIA, International CPO. Private Investigation and Surveillance operator. E: wscarr@logasinternational.com MLK Security and Protection Services Swindon, UK Close Protection Officer and Door Supervisor E: mattleekane@hotmail.com T: 07917654978 LJE Security Services North Yorkshire, HG1, GBR Close Protection, Residential Security, Asset Protection, VIP red carpet Security and Private Investigation. E: leanneedmondson@yahoo.co.uk One Events Grantham One Events offers you a stress free solution in the organisation, putting together and running of an event. Thisis accomplished by having a group of specialised companies from different industries working together for a more complete service for you. TEL: 0870 974 6779 W: www.oneevents.info Paul Lovatt – CPO After serving 15 year in the Army a move to the Security Industry was a natural step, during the last 10 years I have worked in almost every role in the industry from Door Supervisor and loss prevention to Operations Manager and Director. I have been responsible for the creation and implementation of highly successful crime reduction schemes across Yorkshire working closely with other agencies in the areas of responsibility. Currently I am responsible for the overall running of large events security teams from stewards to Close Protection Officers. Operational planning, contingency planning and flexibility are I feel among my key strengths. E : paul@deltasecurity-eventmanagement. co.uk T : +44 (0)7506726336 Paul Tyler – VIP Protection & Concierge Specialist in discreet personal protection & surveillance. A good current working knowledge of London & its challenges gained through ongoing high risk security operations. Experienced in dealing with high net worth clients with all matters security & concierge striving go the extra mile to exceed expectations through

thorough planning & interaction with all involved parties. A strong communicator with a smart appearance who remains synonymous with the principals lifestyle, whilst discretely ensuring a safe environment is maintained at all times, physically capable of adopting a higher profile when required to do so. Demonstrates sound judgement and capability to operate with great levels of autonomy. Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to understand, interact & connect with a diverse range of people. E : paul@apparitio.co.uk T : +44 (0)7552515604 W : www.apparitio.co.uk Plymouth Close Protection Highly versatile, physically fit and accomplished security professional with cumulative experience in the areas of security management, close protection, crisis management, risk assessment, emergency management, asset protection and security training. E : chris@plymouthcp.co.uk W : www.plymouthcp.co.uk T : +44 (0)1752 500807 PPSS Group Body armour and stab vests provide a functional solution to individuals who require extra protection in their chosen vocation. All PPSS (formerly ASEO) body armour and stab vests are certified by the UK’s Home Office (HOSDB) and offer unrivalled protection from blunt trauma caused by a punch, blow or kick. Based on our professional frontline experience and extensive research we can confirm that an impact based assault is a more likely event than an attack involving an edged weapon or firearm. T: +44 (0) 845 5193 953 F: +44 (0) 1765 603 512 E: info@ppss-group.com W: www.ppss-group.com Presence Security Presence Security (“ PS ”) is a bespoke security company providing protection for private individuals and VIPs, as well as security services for businesses and organizations. T: 0800 002 9734 E: info@presencesecurity.co.uk Prestige Risks LTD 27 Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N, 3AX, GBR. Close Protection Secure Chauffeurs Surveillance Residential Security Executive Protection Security Guards Asset Protection T : +44 (0)207 5588182 E : info@prestigerisks.com W : www.prestigerisks.com Prometheus Medical Ltd Prometheus deliver unrivalled bespoke emergency medical support in the form of specialist equipment, training, strategic advice and deployed clinical care. T: (+44) 1568 613942 W: www.prometheusmedical.co.uk Prosec Consultancy Ltd 10 Oakfield business park Westbury, BA13 4WF.

CLASSIFIEDS Prosec Consultancy Limited are dedicated in providing a professional service, which covers a whole range of security services throughout the security industry. T: 01373 228055 W: www.prosec-ltd.co E: info@prosec-ltd.com ProTouch Security ProTouch Security is one of the UK’s key providers of event safety, event security, crowd management, door supervisors, stewards, event management and health and safety. T: 01724 279 522 W: www.protouchsecurity.co.uk Python Security and Protection Ltd Providing Close Protection Officers and Door Supervisors for Events and Venue Security. E : mattleekane@hotmail.com Radoslav Savkov - CPO / Security Consultant Oxford - United Kingdom I would introduce myself as a high calibre Security professional with strong customer oriented skills and managerial experience in the Security Industry, interested in a challenging position, which would fully utilize competences gained and provides opportunities for professional and personal development. With 15 + years of international experience in the sector at all levels and a military background (National Service) as well as a practical Close Protection experience in an executive environment, corporate intelligence and investigations. As a Security professional, I never consider my training and development as a complete, therefore I always look to update further my skills and knowledge. In personal plan I am very loyal, discreet , independent and willing to embrace challenges. E: r.savkov@gmail.com T: +44 (0)7886591525 RSM Security UK Ltd London, UK RSM Security UK Ltd offers the experience and expertise necessary to provide security personnel of the highest calibre when you need them. T: 07850091979 or 07792948523 W: www.rsmsecurity.co.uk E: info@rsmsecurity.co.uk RWSSI Rob W is a professional security consultant with world wide experience and capabilities in Security, Surveillance and Investigation; I can support you to overcome any problems and enable you to achieve your goals E: rob@rwssi.co.uk T: +44 (0)7818 220985 SDS Solutions SDS solutions provide our clients with protective solutions that are second to none, our consultants will discuss every aspect of the problems that you are facing that dictate the need for a protective solution, we promise our clients a tailor made service to meet individual requirements. Whether based in the UK or abroad our protective service T: 01453 887815 E: info@sds-solutions.org

Shadow Close Protection A leading company specializing in Executive Protection as a professional sector, with participation in high and low risk missions, providing global security solutions and consultancy to individuals, corporations and national agencies worldwide. W: www.shadowcp.gr E: info@shadowcp.gr T: + 30 6948539664 Shaun West United Kingdom SIA licensed, Highly Experienced Frontline CPO. Ronin SA trained. Providing security for both corporate and hostile environments. E: sw@shaunwest.co.uk T: +44 (0)7830 109 601 W: www.shaunwest.co.uk Mark Claydon-Smith – CP Team Leader and Medic I have spent 13 years in the Royal Navy Culminating in the rank of SNCO Petty Officer. In 2004 I started my security career and have worked in Hostile environments. I have held several positions including Operations Manager, Team Leader and Rig Site Manager. I have worked in Kurdistan, Afghanistan and Iraq as well as the UK and Europe. E : mark@claydon-smith.com T : +964 (0)7815 970433 Philip Shearman MSyl – CPO, Risk Manager A professionally Qualified Close Protection and Surveillance Operator and Team Leader with over twenty two years of experience gained in the Military Police, the last fifteen of which were spent with the Military Police Close Protection Unit, working in various hostile countries throughout the world. Since leaving the Army in Nov 06 I have worked in the Private Security sector. I have gained valuable experience in demanding and challenging operational environments, where I have proved to be a self motivated and resourceful individual, performing well under pressure, communicating effectively at all levels whilst exercising tact, diplomacy and integrity. E : benshearman10@hotmail.com T : +44 (0)7930 277586 Spotllght Protection Services Essex based business which provides a broad and growing range of security services to businesses and organisations large and small. T: 07870560208 E: info@spotlightprotectionservices.co.uk W: www.spotlightprotectionservices.co.uk VIPA Tactical Training A specialist training academy dealing with four specific areas of combat: VIPA Civilian Self Protection Program, VIPA Close Protection Combat System, VIPA Police Defence Tactics and VIPA Military Close Quarter Combat. BBA Member. W: www.VIPAtacticaltraining.com Yoji Security We established Yoji Security in response to our perception of declining professional standards across the security industry. We strive to provide first class customer service in everything we do, drawing on our

extensive experience in the fields of special operations, intelligence, counter terrorism and close protection. T : +44 7903231076 E : enquries@yojisecurity.com Europe & Africa International Security Academy P.O.Box 5833, Herzeliya, 46000, ISRAEL. Our graduates are more recognized, respected and sought after by Distinguish Protection service “consumers” and by most of the “Providers” of Protection services worldwide. Organisers of the 2008 International Summit of Protection Officers. BBA Member. T: + 972 9 950 0969 W: www.SecurityAcademy.org.il Javier Galan Spain Security specialist available for operations around the world. E: oejju@hotmail.com T: 34.637080771 Military Grade Encryption Phones PO Box 52310, Limassol, CYPRUS Built-in encryption software which converts your voice to encrypted data using a constantly changing mathematical formula. It uses a dual layered RSA/AES combination and a changing session key which modifies the encryption algorithm every second. € 1,398.00 + VAT. All prices include new Nokia N73 phone. BBA Member. T: + 357 7777 7276 W: www.protechcy.com/new TPT Firearms Training Bratislava , Slovakia and Rome , Italy We know from our extensive experience within the industry that it can be daunting when initially carrying a firearm and being responsible for protecting a clients life, but learning the proper techniques and having the ability to understand the weapon will make the job a lot easier and more enjoyable. Hopefully you will never have to use the weapons you carry, but should this prove necessary you will be confident and knowledgeable enough to handle the situation professionally and effectively. T : +44 (0) 7734101910 E : info@tacticalprotectionteam.co.uk W : www.tacticalprotectionteam.co.uk Security Concierge Group SCG Special Projects Ltd, Avenida, Bartolome Vicente Ramon No 10, B16, Ibiza, 07800, ESP Security Concierge Group is a privately owned and fully independent provider of exceptional security services to an interesting and varied range of clients. T: 00 34 600 665 275 W: www.securityconciergegroup.com E: joe.buckle@securityconciergegroup.com Americas Bodyguard Careers Bodyguard Careers is an informational site with the purpose of providing bodyguards with all the information and tools necessary to succeed in the Close Protection Industry Info@BodyguardCareers.com www.BodyguardCareers.com Canadian Use of Force Systems

CIRCUIT MAGAZINE 7975 Yonge St. # 7124, Innisfil, ON, L9S 1L0, CANADA A professional Use of Force and Defensive. Tactics organization teaching a full range of controlled response options for SelfProtection and Use of Force considerations in public and professional environments. BBA Associate Member. T: + 1 705 456 4333 W: www.canadianuseofforce.com Contact Front Photography Contact Front Photography is the world’s 1st photography studio dedicated to the Close Protection Professional. Stop putting generic or pirated photos on your website; instead commission custom shots to best represent you or your agency. T: +1 (612) 369-6134 E: Info@ContractFrontPhotography.com W: www.ContactFrontPhotography.com Decisiones Estratégicas Buenos Aires – Argentina Executive protection specialists we have experienced in all Latin America, for multinationals companies, also providing support in project throughout Latin America to consulting first the US. and UK. We have a team of specialists and psychologists in assistance and crisis negotiation. T: +54(911) 6415 1941 E: jbenitez@d–estrategicas.com W: www.d–estrategicas.com Detective Lacerda P.O.BOX 25996, São Paulo, 05513-970, BRAZIL Providing the full range of security and investigation services throughout Latin America. BBA Member. T: + 55 (11) 3452 4388 W: www.detectivelacerda.cjb.net Giovanni Rossi South Africa Doctorates in Criminology, Vessel Security Officer, ASP Instructor, ISSPC Member, BBA Member, IAPPA Member, American Bodyguard and Protection Instructors Association - Lifetime Member E: rossi1@mweb.co.za T: +2783 415 9205 USA Global Bear Protection PO Box 11488, Jackson, Wyoming, 83002, USA Provision of British and US Ex Special forces security/medical specialists. T: 307 413 3619 W: www.globalbearprotection.com E: bear@globalbearprotection.com

The Team: Editor Managing Editor International Editor Art Direction

Shaun West Jon Moss Elijah Shaw Peter Falkous

Contributors: Mark Deane Joseph M. LaSorsa Denida Zinxhiria Orlando Wilson Robin Barratt Ryan Naish Elijah Shaw Mark “Six” James Shaun West

Icon Services Corporation 1043 Grand Ave. #312, St. Paul, MN 55105, USA A full service security and investigative agency specializing in providing high-level security and bodyguards to international celebrities, public figures and corporations. Licensed, bonded and insured, our diverse roster of clients reads as a virtual who’s who in the corporate, motion picture, fashion and recording industry. Entering into our 10th year, Icon has been the hand picked choice to provide Executive Protection to everyone from Superintendents to Supermodels. BBA Member. T: + 1 651 695 8778 W: www.Industry-Icon.com Imperial Protective Service, LLC 15849 N. 71st Street, Suite 100, Scottsdale , Arizona, 85254, USA Imperial Protective Service’ (IPS) is a security consulting and services firm founded in 1978. IPS provides both national and international corporate, executive and celebrity protective services. BBA Member. T: + 1 480 281 1588 W: www.executiveprotect.com Panther Protection Services 3695F Cascade Road, Suite 2207, Atlanta, GA 30331 Panther Protection Services is a full service protection agency offering such services as threat assessment, executive protection, self-defense training, firearms instruction, and high risk tactical protection. Our executive protection specialists have over 75 years of experience. Panther can handle your protection needs whether around the corner or around the world. Member: BBA and NABA T: (404) 349-9117 W: www.pantherprotectionservices.com Rouven Rohler - Security Consultant / HSE liaison Romania I am a very fit and mentally robust Security Specialist with quality experience gained in the security (Military, Maritime and Commercial Operational Security (Oil& Gas). I have improved the effectiveness of protection teams and significantly enhanced clients’ awareness. My career commenced in the Australian Army, which included hostile environment deployments to Iraq and the Solomon Islands and I have since been operating on various contracts throughout Afghanistan and Iraq. I am now looking to make a continued significant contribution within similar High Risk contracts. E: rouven@y7mail.com T: +40 (0)746 642 739 Our Sincere Thanks to all those that continue to contribute their wisdom and experience for the enjoyment of others The Circuit is compiled, edited and published in the UK and US bi-monthly. W: www.circuit-magazine.com E: info@circuit-magazine.com T: +44 0191 645 0865

SILVER STAR PROTECTION Executive protection, site and event security with global experience. Serving southern Minnesota with integrity and professionalism. Former USSS, ICON Alumni. available for domestic and international travel. Robert E. Jones Manager/CEO W: www.silver-star-protection.com E: rejones@silver-star-protection.com TSICS (T6) Miami, Florida, USA TSICS (T6) provides the following services in Central America: Executive Protection, Individual Bodyguard, Close Protection Training, Corporate Invest. W: www.security-professionals.org/ members/saldrix E: tsics.t6@gmail.com T: +502 6645 6822 Tony Scotti’s Vehicle Dynamics Institute 1162 St. Georges Ave, Suite 277 , Avenel, NJ 07001, USA The first name in advanced driver training, offering our highly acclaimed Protective/ Evasive Driving Programs. Designed specifically for today’s executive chauffeurs, executive protection professionals and others who are responsible for providing safe and secure transportation services. BBA Member. T: + 1 732 738 5221 W: www.vehicledynamics.net Vindex Personal Protection & Investigation Inc. 497 Hooksett Rd #365 Manchester NH 03104 603.289.3161 / Full service Private Investigations & Executive Protection. 10 years combined Law Enforcement, Private security, close protection work, & security contracting. NY Mayors, U.S. President’s, NFL owners, and VIP’s are some of the protection work I’ve gained experience with. ICON alumni, NABA member. T: + 1 732 738 5221 E: vindexinc@aol.com W: www.vindexinc.com Asia Pacific Asia Protective Group Ltd Asia Protective Group (APG) is a Hong Kong based risk management company, specializing in executive protection, overseas travel security and security consultancy services. APG has an extensive network of security specialists operating throughout the Asia Pacific region. W: www.asia-pg.com E: jim@asia-pg.com E: yvonne@asia-pg.com DISCLAIMER While every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this magazine is both accurate and up-to-date, The Circuit accepts no liability in any part for loss or damage incurred by reliance on information contained in this magazine through omissions, errors, howsoever caused. ©COPYRIGHT Copyright remains with the authors and contributors at all times. No part of this publication can be copied or reproduced in any way whatsoever without permission from the publisher AND the author / contributor.

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THE TEAM:

CONTRIBUTORS:

UK Editor: Shaun West

Joseph M. LaSorsa Mark Deane Denida Zinxhiria Robin Barratt Orlando Wilson Ryan Naish Mark “Six” James Mark Deane

US Editor: Elijah Shaw Managing Editor: Jon Moss Art Direction: Peter Falkous

Our Sincere Thanks to all those that continue to contribute their wisdom and experience for the enjoyment of others The Circuit is compiled, edited and published in the UK and US bi-monthly. W: www.circuit-magazine.com E: info@circuit-magazine.com T: +44 0191 645 0865

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DISCLAIMER While every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this magazine is both accurate and up-to-date, The Circuit accepts no liability in any part for loss or damage incurred by reliance on information contained in this magazine through omissions, errors, howsoever caused. ©COPYRIGHT Copyright remains with the authors and contributors at all times. No part of this publication can be copied or reproduced in anyway whatsoever without permission from the publisher AND the author / contributor.

Special Edition - Free issue

Articles inside

One mans Terrifying Ordeal:

Does Fitness Matter Anymore?

GLOBAL INCIDENT ROUND UP

Enhancing Your Safety and Survival at the Airport

FIT FOR PURPOSE

Personal Security in Hotels

Women In The Close Protection Industry

Should protection officers be trained in unarmed combat?

Situational Awareness - Skill or Instinct?

PROTECTIVE SURVEILLANCE - Circuit Magazine

TASK, THREAT & ENVIRONMENT - THE MINDSET OF PROTECTIVE SERVICES

INDUSTRY NEWS