Here’s a second article by Sandra Adiarte, pictured. She’s among the invited speakers at DISPAX World 2024, a two-day conference on November 20 and 21 on unruly airline passenger management and restraint.
Successful close protection (CP) services build on a professional mindset characterized by discipline, vigilance, and adaptability. CP personnel remain calm under pressure, think critically in dynamic situations, and prioritize proactive prevention over reactive responses. The correct training methods learned, practiced, and rehearsed in a team environment, when applicable will help maintain the edge necessary for optimal performance.
However, there is often some confusion among my friends and clients in the field over what is the “correct training” to take when children may be your primary or secondary responsibility. When including the presence of children in risk assessments, some of the factors influencing the levels of risk can be under-estimated.
• the relationship between the child’s safety and their behaviour may affect that of other members of the party,
• how knowledge of these nuances can be communicated to team members, parents, and concerned adults.
• how to communicate the challenges identified to the client to mitigate immediate risks whilst emphasizing the differences
• should you need to review your debriefing methods to better include the specifics of younger protectees
This, of course, is just a short list aiming to show that these and other similar elements need to be addressed prior to an unforeseen event. It might be natural to include this, for some protectors but for others, it could be a completely alien experience.
Are you ready, and is your team ready? Today? Now?
Since this series is all about moving “Beyond the Basics “, it will offer you insights, tips, and things to think about that you may have not previously considered. Here are ten questions to stimulate that thought process:
1. Do you like children?
2. How much experience do you have with children and teens?
3. What is your biggest concern when working around children in different age groups?
4. What are your experiences with related caregivers and parents?
5. How aware are you of the psycho-physical impacts on the styles of interaction with children?
6. Where do you see the potential risks when working around children?
7. When was your last First Aid Course including First Aid for children?
8. Do your protection strategies work in both the physical and the digital sphere?
9. Which cases have you experienced where the presence of children or teenagers has affected risk levels remarkably or unexpectedly?
10. In what ways can we assess the status of the development of a child, and how does it affect the assessment of risk?
Professionals and beginners can benefit from evaluating their thoughts on this. By embracing a fresh start, beginners, and experienced protectors, can elevate the quality of their work by integrating diverse perspectives, best practices, and the highest standards into their approach towards security management.
Beginners in the security management profession benefit from approaching their role with a fresh outlook, as it allows them to embrace new ideas and concepts with curiosity and openness and it encourages them to challenge existing norms and seek innovative solutions to complex security challenges.
Professionals can build on their existing experiences and integrate the refreshed perspective to continue providing excellent services. This renewed motivation and commitment to continuous learning empower beginners to establish a strong foundation for their career in security management. For the full-fledged protectors, it is a mindful and critical refresher to keep them on a path of success and continuing professional growth.
The mindset of a protector, as I have been told, is defined by unwavering dedication to their mission and the safety of those under their protection. Motivated by a deep sense of responsibility and duty, protectors approach their mission with strong determination, aiming to ensure the well-being and security of their clients. Their exposure to imminent risks and their commitment to excellence drive them to constantly refine their skills, adapt to evolving threats, and remain vigilant in the face of adversity. They face numerous challenges both during their training and later in their daily duties.
Training requires mastering a wide range of skills, including risk assessment, defensive driving, and first aid, while also honing situational awareness and tactical thinking. Additionally, officers must maintain peak physical fitness and mental resilience to effectively handle high-pressure situations. In their daily missions, officers must navigate diversified environments, adapt to changing levels of risk and different threats, and prioritize the safety of their clients above all else, especially when families with children are involved. In all these aspects, the presence of young children or juveniles has the potential to project effects on all involved. Most importantly, in three areas of interaction: with the parent, with the main caregiver, and with the protector. A one-size-fits-all approach will elevate the risk of failure, unwittingly delivering average services.
In my regular interviews and professional encounters with security personnel and providers of security training and protection services I have had the opportunity to hear some stories regarding their professional experiences. Some shared their successes and some their almost failures. Relating to core topics taken from these told stories we will be looking at these from different perspectives. I will be adding my professional view as a researcher within the behavioral sciences, as an educator, as a therapist, and as a consultant.
In the following articles, we will explore several key components of successful security management around children by looking at probable risks, approaches, and practical methods. The aim is to stay ahead of the curve, prioritize continuous learning and self-improvement, constantly seek to enhance skills, and stay ahead of emerging threats.
