Application
This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to implement close protection services to protect the safety and security of a principal who may be a celebrity, political figure, very important person (VIP) or other person requiring close protection services.
It includes:
searching and securing premises to be used by the principal, and providing close protection escort services using approved foot formations and procedures for debus and embus
maintaining communication with the principal and members of the close protection team to ensure ongoing safety and security, maintain situational awareness and identify and respond decisively to threats which may come from multiple sources
using reasonable defensive techniques that minimise use of force and maximise the safety and security of the principal, self and others.
It applies to people working independently or under limited supervision as members of a security team.
This unit may form part of the licensing requirements for people engaged in security operations in those states and territories where these are regulated activities.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe what needs to be done to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare for close protection operation. | 1.1 Review operational information and instructions to ensure compliance with legal rights and responsibilities and workplace policies and procedures when performing close protection tasks. 1.2 Assess planning information to clarify protective arrangements including known threats, vulnerabilities and risks and contingency measures. 1.3 Select and organise resources and equipment to meet work instructions and check to ensure correct operation. 1.4 Liaise with members of close protection team to exchange and report operational information in accordance with chain of command. |
2. Search and secure premises. | 2.1 Confirm authority to search premises to be used by principal in consultation with persons on site. 2.2 Use search methods and procedures to identify potential threats, vulnerabilities and risks, and implement necessary controls to ensure premises are secure. 2.3 Report problems and request specialist assistance as required to maintain security of premises. |
3. Provide close protection escort. | 3.1 Monitor the environment to maintain situational awareness and avoid hazards while implementing protective arrangements. 3.2 Exchange information with principal to ensure safety and security, and balance principal’s needs with operational needs. 3.3 Use communication equipment and non-verbal methods to convey information and to receive instructions from members of close protection team. 3.4 Perform safe debus and embus of principal following workplace procedures. 3.5 Carry out foot escort formations that avoid or minimise risks and threats to principal following standard procedures. |
4. Respond to threat and protect principal. | 4.1 Identify source of threat and assess risk to safety and security of principal. 4.2 Use immediate and decisive response actions that extract principal from threat and minimise use of force. 4.3 Give clear and concise instructions to the principal and close protection team members within limits of own role and responsibilities. 4.4 Use defensive techniques that are reasonable in the circumstances to defend principal, self and others. 4.5 Remain alert to multiple threats and identify and respond to secondary or subsequent incidents to maintain safety and security of principal, self and others. |
5. Finalise and review close protection operation. | 5.1 Fulfil close protection services in accordance with work instructions. 5.2 Record operational outcomes and incident observations using workplace documentation. 5.3 Participate in review and debrief of close protection outcomes to identify procedural improvements. |
Foundation Skills
This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria:
language skills to:
use security industry approved communication terminology, codes and signals
observe and follow accepted protocols and methods for communicating with people from different social, professional and cultural contexts, such as foreign diplomats, celebrities and other very important persons (VIPs)
use positive non-verbal skills to develop rapport with others when working as part of a team
writing skills to use a variety of expressions and sentence structures to provide factual information and express opinions when recording operational outcomes and incident observations
reading skills to interpret:
procedures and policies that clarify legal rights and responsibilities
different directional signs and information when escorting principal
speaking and listening skills to:
use questions and active listening to clarify and verify spoken information when exchanging information with principal and team members, and confirming authority to search premises
convey and receive clear and succinct information and instructions using communication equipment
numeracy skills to estimate time required to meet principal’s needs relating to schedule and itinerary
problem solving skills to:
recognise source of threat
modify actions to balance operational requirements with needs of principal
select response options that meet changing risk circumstances and multiple threats
teamwork skills to:
adjust personal communication styles in response to the opinions, values and needs of others
work effectively with others and comply with chain of command reporting
maintain professional working relationships with principal and members of close protection team.
Sectors
Security operations