Vehicle-based incidents are one of the biggest risks to our clients during bodyguard and executive protection assignments. There are reckless and hazardous civilian drivers out there as well as undisciplined pedestrians crossing the roads illegally that cause the majority of accidents.
The security drivers we utilize during road movements for our clients must be top notch to detect and avoid potentially dangerous situations while delivering them to their destinations safely. The most important rule for our security drivers, without fail, is the need to maintain awareness every day. Their knowledge, preparation and route planning should be brought to bear each day as well.
Advance agents should ride along with the security drivers during rehearsals and motorcade drills. If utilizing an unfamiliar security driver ensure they are smart and capable people. Observed his or her competency in motorcade driving procedures and they are in accordance with your EP requirements.
To include safe motorcade formation, emergency procedures, route analysis and selection surveillance detection and evasive maneuvers. If the security driver does not meet your requirements, a replacement driver should be obtained swiftly and surely.
Detail Leaders or the number two man or woman should have meetings with their security drivers each day prior to the start of the assignment. Not just a quick situational brief, but a detailed route analysis, as well as dry runs and road condition reports. Keep in mind the better the plan, the more likely its success.
Most security environments mandate a minimum of one client car and a security follow-up car.
Additional vehicles may be furnished for use by the official party, but should not follow the two car motorcade alignment. This may appear simple but its important, as the other vehicles are not being driven by trained security drivers and could cause an accident involving the client or security car.
Historical attacks against well-known clients regularly occur during road movements. Large motorcades become more visible and predictable, and a predictable client is much easier to assault. Deliberately avoid being high-profile get your client from point A to point B while staying off the radar. Avoiding predictability and keeping your client under an envelop of anonymity during road movements. Keep safe and God speed.
Doc Rogers is the author of Corporate Executive Protection – A Manual for Inspiring Corporate Bodyguards and president and CEO of International Corporate Executive Protection Ltd. Doc has earned a Ph.D. in Security Administration from Southwest University and he is SE Asia’s leading expert on executive protection and corporate security. To learn how to make a full time living as a corporate bodyguard visit the websites below for more information.
http://www.trafford.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?Book=182707
http://www.amazon.com/Corporate-Executive-Protection-Inspiring-Bodyguards/dp/1425135927
