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Dignitary Protection - Management and Organization

NCJ Number
106117
Date Published
1987
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Police instruction on the management and organization of dignitary protection encompasses initial security assessment, proactive avoidance of attacks, personnel selection, working with the protectee, security team coordination, command and control, and conceptualization of operational plans.
Abstract
The initial security assessment consists of an evaluation of the protectee's level of threat exposure; the compilation of information on protectees and their environments; the development of likely 'threat models;' and the identification, selection, and implementation of protective countermeasures. In dignitary protection, officers must focus on the proactive avoidance of attacks rather than reactive response to attacks. The skills of selected protective personnel should include expertise in facility security measures, the detection of surveillance devices, munitions countermeasures, and the secure movement of protectees on foot and by vehicle. Since an effective protection plan requires the cooperation of the protectee, the protectee's willingness to abide by various security measures should be determined. The coordination of a security team usually requires the management of personnel from various jurisdictions and agencies, and command and control requires a communications system commensurate with the size and composition of the operation. The conceptualization of operational plans involves the documentation of security measures at various locations, a description of the responsibilities of subordinate personnel, and the development of contingency plans. Questions and answers on the material and 1 suggested reading.