Bodyguard Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

As a CPO, your clients could include politicians, heads of industry, TV, film and music celebrities, and royalty. Your work would typically include:

• protecting clients from threats, for example from terrorists, political opponents, stalkers or over-enthusiastic fans
• checking out premises before clients arrive
• planning and research to identify and prevent potential threat or disruption
• staying constantly alert to react to threatening situations
• accompanying clients on business and social visits
• driving clients to and from venues.

You could specialise in a particular area, such as residential security or defensive and evasive driving techniques.

Hours

You may have to work long shifts including evenings and weekends as part of 24-hour protection. Your work could be at indoor or outdoor venues, such as conferences, political meetings and rallies, and corporate and social events.

There is likely to be a lot of travel, and you may have to spend time away from home, sometimes overseas.

Income

Most close protection officers are self-employed. Earnings depend on the client or company, the length of the contract, the officer's experience and the risks involved.

Daily rates for CPOs in low risk areas can be around £100 to £150 plus expenses.

CPOs with high levels of responsibility or working in high risk areas can earn around £500 a day.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

You must be at least 18 years old, and would need to be physically fit, have good eyesight and hearing, and have a presentable appearance. A driving licence is essential.

It may be useful if you have knowledge of one or more foreign languages.

To work as a contracted CPO in England and Wales you are required by law to have a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence. To get a licence you will need:

• identity and criminal record checks
• an SIA approved Level 3 qualification in close protection
• a recognised first aid certificate.

The following close protection qualifications have been approved by the SIA:

• Level 3 Certificate in Protective Security, awarded by Buckinghamshire New University
• Level 3 BTEC Certificate in Close Protection, awarded by Edexcel, City and Guilds or Buckinghamshire New University.

Course timetables and fees may vary, so you would need to check with individual training providers.

See the SIA website for full details of the licensing process. You can also search for training providers in your area.

• Security Industry Authority (SIA) – licensing
• Security Industry Authority (SIA) – training provider search

Most CPOs have a background in the Armed Forces or the police, although this is not essential. To work in the high risk, most highly-paid areas of the industry, you will usually need to have been in the Special Forces or specialist police units.

Training and development

Once you are working in close protection, you could do the Foundation Degree in Protective Security Management at Buckingham New University. Your Security Industry Authority (SIA) approved close protection qualification will give you credits towards the Foundation Degree. See the Buckingham New University website for more information.

• Buckingham New University - Centre for Crowd Management and Security Studies

You will need to renew your licence every three years. Currently you do not need to do refresher training or complete a new qualification to do this. See the SIA website for details.

• Security Industry Authority – licensing

Skills and knowledge

To be a close protection officer, you will need to have:

• quick reactions
• good powers of observation
• the ability to recognise potentially dangerous situations
• discretion and commitment to client confidentiality
• calmness under pressure
• the ability to adapt and improvise in response to situations
• decision-making and planning skills
• good written and spoken communication skills.

More information

Edexcel
www.edexcel.com

Security Industry Authority (SIA)
PO Box 1293
Liverpool
L69 1AX
Tel: 0844 892 1025
www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk

Buckinghamshire New University
Centre for Crowd Management and Security Studies
Tel: 01494 605162
www.crowdsafetymanagement.co.uk

City & Guilds
1 Giltspur Street
London
EC1A 9DD
Tel: 0844 543 0000
www.cityandguilds.com

Opportunities

You could work for state and private organisations, as well as private individuals.

You would usually be self-employed working on long or short-term contracts. These can be anything from a few days to several years. Most contracts are negotiated by close protection companies and agencies.

Networking is vital as close protection companies and agencies rarely advertise. They usually employ CPOs by recommendation or those with police or military experience.

You may be able to specialise in surveillance, driving or residential security. With experience, you could move into consultancy work.