As someone who follows media mentions of dignitary/executive protection matters, I have been reading a number of troublesome stories lately.

In one case, much is being made of the cost of protecting Texas Governor, and current presidential candidate, Rick Perry. In another, a court battle is underway in an attempt to gain access to the activity logs of Phoenix, Arizona Mayor Phil Gordon’s security detail.

Troublesome? Absolutely. The release of such records into the public domain would undermine the security efforts for each of the Protectees.

In Perry’s case, the main complaint seems to be the increased cost of his security detail due to his Presidential campaign. There is also an effort to gain access to the specifics of those expenses, to include manpower numbers.

The latest article I read estimated the cost of protecting the Lone Star State’s Governor at nearly $400,000 per month. While that sounds like a lot of money, it pales in comparison to what was spent four years ago to protect then candidate Barack Obama during the last Presidential campaign cycle. His protection was estimated to be approximately $43,000 per day. Yes, per day. Now that Obama is the sitting President, those costs are much higher. And, it could easily be argued Obama’s travels are every bit as much about campaigning as Perry’s.

Any type of detailed breakdown of Perry’s security expenses could easily expose operational information that could be exploited by an attacker. For instance, knowing how many security detail members are assigned to each shift would be very useful intelligence for someone wanting to do the Governor, or his family, harm.

In Mayor Gordon’s case, activity logs kept by his police security detail are in question. On the surface the daily appointment and travel logs of a Protectee might seem benign, but in the hands of someone wanting to do harm this information could literally be a roadmap as to when and where to attack. For example, let’s say a review of the logs reveals a pattern where the Protectee picks up his dry cleaning every Thursday at approximately 5:15 P.M. A potential attacker would be able to exploit this very specific information if he/she was so inclined.

Taking partisan politics out of the equation, I’m simply baffled by people who sound off about the cost of protective security details, or the internal records kept by them. Without being privy to the most current…and highly sensitive…threat/vulnerability/risk assessments, coupled with the real-time protective intelligence that’s being developed…and the training and experience to interpret same…people simply don’t have the necessary information needed to form a cogent opinion of the matter.

Both Perry and Gordon are political figures in southern border states. Open source intelligence, along with just a bit of common sense, indicates men in such positions would be prime targets of radical pro-immigration activists, not to mention those connected to Mexico’s extremely violent narco-trafficking world. There must be a mechanism by which security-related information can be kept confidential when its release might jeopardize operational or personnel security efforts.

The weather is probably the single most underrated threat to clients. The tragic stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair Saturday night again proved that a disaster, and especially one caused by rapidly changing weather conditions, could occur at any time, and at any place.

This is written from personal and professional experience, as Aaron Edwards, a DPG instructor and fellow EMT, and I were both present at the Sugarland concert Saturday night. We saw the storm approach. We knew, based on what we saw in the clouds, what the dangers were. And we saw the rigging collapse on the crowd. Aaron and I both immediately rushed to the scene and engaged in rescue and treatment of victims.

This is not the first time a stage rigging has collapsed due to weather events during a concert. It is actually at least the third such occurrence in a little over two years that has resulted in deaths and injuries.

As I was applying my emergency medical and rescue skills on that dirt track with a thunderstorm raging overhead, my dignitary protection mindset also engaged and I began to ask myself some questions:

What if I had been attending the concert with a client?

The area of greatest injuries and fatalities was the VIP seating section next to the stage. The same area a client who would have a protective detail with them would likely be sitting in.

What if I was the protective security specialist for the artist?

Where would I have been during the storm? Where is my client(s)? Is/are he/she/they safe? Where could/would I have taken them to shelter? What would have been the trigger for me to urge them to make that decision? How do I shield them and/or their family from the aftermath of the incident? I can only imagine the impact on the artists in their buses who were preparing to entertain 12,000 cheering fans, but instead look out to witness carnage.

Although they know this is not the first mass casualty incident I have been involved in, colleagues still asked me today if this experience affected me. And the answer is simple: Yes, it did. I am heartbroken that an evening of musical enjoyment turned to a lifetime of grief for some, and painful memories for many. But, beyond the sorrow I feel for the victims, the other impact this event had on me is the anguish of the realization that people will still not take the threat of weather seriously. It is no less deadly than an assassin’s bullet or knife, and it kills indiscriminately. Whether your client is injured or killed by a lightning strike, tornado, icy roadways or falling debris during a wind storm, the outcome is still the same: you failed to protect your client.

We often say during DPG dignitary/executive protection training that you will save more clients with a detergent stain-stick than you will with a gun. However, the reality is that you may save the life of your client by treating the weather like a stalker and maintaining situational awareness of its proximity and threat level at all times.

So, the next time you are on a detail, ask yourself a simple question: Weather or not it is safe for your client to be where they are, right now, given the current and impending weather conditions.

It’s happened again. Another politician the target of an attack. But this “attack” was one presumably meant to publicly embarass the politician rather than cause physical injury.

It all went down Tuesday evening in Minneapolis, Minnesota where former Speaker of the House and current Presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich was doing a book signing. Sitting alongside his wife Callista, Newt was autographing his books at the Minnesota Family Council’s annual dinner.

Everything was seemingly going according to plan until Nick Espinosa got his turn in line. Standing in front of the former Speaker, Espinosa reached into a messenger bag slung across his left shoulder and removed a plastic bag. He then proceeded to dump the bag, filled with glitter, all over Gingrich and the table while shouting…”Feel the rainbow, Newt. Stop the hate. Stop anti-gay politics. It’s dividing our country and it’s not fixing our economy.”

According to ABC News, this was not Espinosa’s first time in the activist spotlight. Last summer he dumped 2,000 pennies on Minnesota Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer as a “tip” in protest against a proposal to cut wages for servers and bartenders. And back in 2009 he infiltrated a Tea Party rally against immigration, in which he developed a fake name to obtain a spot on the speaker’s list.

It’s unclear what, if any, security measures were in place…and someone is seen pushing the glittering visitor through a nearby doorway just seconds after the “attack”…but several questions come to mind:

– What if Espinosa had produced a weapon when he reached into the bag?
– What if the glitter had been a caustic or hazardous liquid or substance instead?
– How did someone with a history of attention grabbing stunts like this get so close to such a high profile person without being monitored more closely?

Whether it’s protection from an embarrassing situation or a physical attack, elected officials, politicians and high profile people must begin to take their security more seriously. If not, situations like this will continue.

First off, many, if not most, of the newly appointed law enforcement coordinators have little to no experience in security matters. They simply drew the proverbial short straw or were appointed because they had some military background. In one case that I am aware of, the coordinator had spent a little time in the National Guard. And I won’t even bore you with the details about their lack of time.

Second, law enforcement is ill-equipped to handle protective security situations. Don’t get me wrong, I’m about as pro-police as they get and employ a number of law enforcement officers in a variety of capacities. However, police officers, by their training and mindset, are reactionary. What is actually needed is a proactive approach. And that is something that takes specialized training and the reconditioning of the mindset.

Third, local law enforcement is woefully underfunded. Most agencies are working on budgets that are equivalent to what they had 3-4 years ago. They’re lucky to have enough officers to adequately cover the city streets and county roads on any given shift, let alone provide security to elected officials and political events.

With services such as dignitary protection, threat assessment, protective intelligence gathering, travel security and special event security, private sector companies that specialize in protective security could easily help to mitigate the threats and vulnerabilities facing elected officials, as well as those seeking public office.

Simply put…they must start taking security seriously and turn to true protective security professionals. Until they do, they’re simply fooling themselves, their staff and their constituents.

As I sit here on this Sunday evening, reading over various news topics, one particular story caught my eye for all the wrong reasons. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said on Sunday that a protective detail could not have prevented the the assassination attempt on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Arizona). The comments actually came during an interview Boehner did on Fox News Sunday.

Being involved in the security business on a daily basis, I cannot think of a more irresponsible statement. Protective security measures are implemented everyday by numerous government agencies and corporate entities to prevent and/or minimize attacks such as the one launched January 8th in Tucson, Arizona. And guess what…those security measures work.

Studies have shown that most attacks and assassinations occur on “soft” targets, where little or no security measures are implemented. Now, far be it for me to sit at my desk and “armchair quarterback” what could have been done to prevent or lessen the horrific events in Tucson, but had some sort of professional security measures been in place, Jared Laughner may have decided not to carry out such a horrific attack or the catastrophic damage he inflicted could have been greatly reduced.

Politicians do face a higher risk to due increased exposure, but it does not mean that protective security measures cannot be implemented in such a way to reduce potential threats without impeding or disrupting their day to day business operations. Dignitary Protection Group, LLC specializes in tailor-made mission specific security measures to minimize your personal or business risks. If you are in need of professional security services, contact DPG for a free consultation.

The event where the shooting took place was called “Congress on Your Corner” and was taking place at a Safeway supermarket in the northwest portion of Tucson. According to Giffords’ official website, the event was designed to allow residents of Arizona’s 8th Congressional District to meet their congresswoman one-on-one and discuss with her any issue, concern or problem involving the federal government. The website also notes that Giffords had hosted numerous “Congress on Your Corner” events since taking office in January 2007.

While security preparations for this specific event aren’t known, it does bring up a topic I have written about multiple times. That of security for politicians and elected officials.

With the polarization that politics creates seemingly on the rise, it should be no surprise that threats toward politicians would follow suit. For the most part, politicians travel with little to no security, though there are some exceptions. Most notably are the President and Vice-President who are protected by the U.S. Secret Service. Cabinet members are generally protected by law enforcement officers from their respective departments/agencies. And state Governors and Mayors of most major cities have varying levels of security provided by specialized police units.

But when it comes to those elected to the House and Senate, only the speakers of those bodies are generally afforded full-time protection and it’s provided by the U.S. Capitol Police. Other members do get protection in response to specific threats, but it’s rarely permanent.

Given the increasing level of frustration among citizens with the political process and government in general, I have advocated for an increased focus on not only the security of individual politicians, but also of the public events they often hold. Unfortunately many politicians, and their handlers, shy away from security for a variety of reasons. Some simply think they are immune and take the “it won’t happen to me” position. Others don’t want to be thought of as being unapproachable or wasting tax dollars.

Whatever the reason…I find it naive and quite foolish. Professional protective security companies are available to assist politicians and elected officials with ongoing threat, vulnerability and risk analysis, coupled with close protection, travel security and special event security. All of this can be done in a balanced way so as not to unduly impede the protectee’s efforts to do their job.

If any good can come of this tragic event, I hope it will bring security to the forefront so that incidents like this can be minimized.

With the business world being spread out nationally, and even internationally, executives are traveling more than ever. Those travels can often times put them into unsafe geographical areas. And it doesn’t just have to be a crime-ridden city or foreign country. It can be in small-town USA.

What if there’s an emergency? Maybe a terrorist attack or even extreme weather or a natural disaster. Could you immediately locate your key executives and communicate with them? Do you have a plan to provide them additional security or a safe haven if necessary? What would you do to safely and efficiently evacuate them from the area?

When the need arises, you should be able to pinpoint the location of your key personnel within a very short period of time. It shouldn’t be a “Where’s Waldo?” moment with your company’s future potentially hanging in the balance.

I’m constantly amazed when I ask a client where a specific executive is at that given moment and they can’t answer the question with any specificity. In one instance, it took the Director of Security nearly 4 hours to figure out exactly where the CEO of his company was. Turns out the boss was halfway across the state at a meeting of which the security department had no knowledge.

That was simply unacceptable by any reasonable measure. Now that same company has a travel security plan that includes the tracking of executive vehicles via GPS transponders, as well as real-time reporting from the personal security details and executive drivers. With a plan in place and technology in use, that same security director can now instantly answer the question of where his key executives are with a few simple taps on his smartphone…and the company is in a much better position in the event of an emergency.

So, what can you do to help answer the question? Follow these tips:

Having a plan and knowing where your key executives are isn’t that difficult. And given the potential for financial disaster, it’s not that expensive either. And that expense pales in comparison to the financial disaster that could happen if one of your key executives was injured or, worse yet, killed.

Israel, who probably has more experience in dealing with terrorism and airline security than any other nation, utilizes a very effective means of identifying potentials threats: behavior. They are of the mindset that you will never develop accurate enough search and screening methodologies to detect physical devices, so instead they focus on the people delivering the devices. The U.S. Marine Corps learned this lesson in Iraq and Afghanistan when technology provided less information about threats than did marines who were experienced in reading the environment they were in. These experiences lead to the development and implementation of the Combat Hunter program to train marines to read and understand environmental cues.

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has, to a far lesser degree, implemented a similar program in U.S. airports with trained Behavioral Observation Officers. Unfortunately, according to documents released on the internet, these TSA officers receive minimal training which is heavily weighted towards recognizing facial micro-expressions. While this is an important piece of the behavioral detection puzzle, it is still just a piece, and can result in being so focused on seeing a tree that a forest passes by unseen.

The TSA may unwittingly be increasing the risk of missing a terrorist by its recent implementation of full-body scans and more aggressive pat-downs. These techniques are being met with anger, fear and other emotions by the public who resent the invasion of their privacy, thus leaked behavior in a terrorist may blend in, or go unnoticed because such a large number of people are giving off behavioral cues.

While we may believe that humans are highly evolved logical and rationale beings, the reality is that we are emotional creatures. Even in cold, calculated crimes, there is an underlying emotional component present. Our subconscious mind controls far more of our behavior that we might like to admit – and leaks far more information about our intentions than we think.

Unfortunately, academic studies show that most people, including experienced law enforcement professionals, cannot correctly discern leaked behavior from others. However, one group consistently out performs all others in these studies with their abilities: U.S. Secret Service Agents. Why are they better than everyone else? At least part of the explanation is that protective agents are in the business of observing people (and thus behavior) as they, like Israel and the U.S. Marines, learned long ago that technology has limitations in threat detection.

Now is the time to learn the lessons from the Israeli’s, the Marines and the Secret Service: that reading environmental cues is probably the most effective key to detecting threats. Modeled upon the Combat Hunter and Secret Service programs, the Cognitive Use of Environmental Signals^SM (CUES^SM) family of courses provide experiential training to protective agents and other select groups in using the greatest technology in existence – the human brain – as a threat detector.

While that issue is a huge concern, an equally important issue is that of licensing. In most states, and in Indiana specifically, a state license is required of anyone offering private security services. Unfortunately not all providers have the necessary licensing…and almost assuredly lack the liability insurance that is required to obtain a license. This puts you and your business at great risk for legal issues.

So, as a business owner, what should you do? A number of businesses think the answer is to hire off-duty polce officers. And while they can be valuable in a variety of situations, licensing is still an issue. Contrary to popular belief, police officers are not exempt from the licensing laws…unless they are working as an employee of the business where they are providing security. If they are being paid as a contractor, then they need to be licensed by the state.

With that in mind, before entering into any agreement with a security provider you should follow these simple steps:

• Ask for and obtain a copy of the provider’s State issued professional license
• Verify the license’s status with the issuing agency
• Inquire as to any previous or pending disciplinary action
• Ask for and obtain a copy of the provider’s liability insurance certificate
• Verify the insurance certificate with the issuing underwriter

Dignitary Protection Group, LLC is a licensed, insured and professional security agency. We provide a variety of security and related services…and even employ a number of law enforcement officers working in an off-duty capacity. If you’re serious about your security, DPG can help.

For more information, contact Doug Runyon at (800) 270-8342 ext. 711.