The Stalker Issue
Someplace today in the world someone is the victim of a stalker. Statistics tell us that 1 in 12 women and 1 in 46 men will be the victim of a stalker sometime in their lives. Additionally we know that it is not just celebrities, politicians and the wealthy that fall victims to stalkers; only about 41% of the women and 37% of the men who are victims of stalkers will file a police report. This is where private security professionals, in particular those working as Personal Protection Specialists come in. These professionals are in a position to help the victims of stalkers identify, document, and assist in reporting the stalker while providing guidance and security to the victim.
Twenty-one percent of stalking victims were assaulted by their stalker with 43% having received some sort of threat of violence. Each victim of a stalker has reported both some lost income and loss of work days due to the stalker. More than half the victims have lost 5 or more days of work as a result of the stalker.
Who faces the highest risk of stalkers? Women, but men were as likely to be victims of harassment as women with 3 of 4 victims knowing their stalker in some capacity. Thirty percent of the victims had an intimate relationship with the stalker at one time while 45% were known to them: friend, roommate, acquaintance, or relative. Less than 10% of stalkers were strangers.
How are these people being stalked? Cyber-stalking is on the increase with 82% of the victims reporting some form of cyber-stalking with instant messaging being the highest. Forty-six percent report some type of video or photographic monitoring by the stalker with around 11% saying they were tracked by GPS.
How can we in the private security industry provide assistance to these victims of stalkers? Let’s look at our training to start. Most PPS training programs include topics on residential security, surveillance and surveillance detection, threat assessment and special events planning. A fair majority of the quality programs address stalking and some even include training on detection of listening devices and cyber-crimes. We need to take this training and make use of it. While the victim of a stalker may not need a full time bodyguard, we can help them in many ways.
Recently I had a client who was being harassed by the estranged father of her custodial grandson. We provided a security survey of the residence, some surveillance after the grandson was either with the father or dropped off at the home and even some over watch while both the father and grandmother were at the same function at the same time. Did it help? Yes, it appears that the father was told that he was being observed and not wishing to lose visitation decided that the harassment was not worth it. Was this a big financial gain for me, no, but was there some satisfaction? Yes.
So while not all of us in the protective security industry are assigned to a detail, this is one avenue that we should be looking at both to help keep the victims of stalkers safe and fine tune the other skills which we may not use on a protective detail.
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Saturday, March 26, 2011
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Training for the future.
Training for the future.
I today's economy, for one to advance in the security industry, and in particularly the executive protection industry, one must show the client value. How can we show our clients or even potential clients or employers value?
To me this value is in training, providing quality training programs that will provide my client, the student, with the skills and knowledge necessary to enter the executive protection industry or even to advance in it. There are many training programs out there, some good and some not so good. All I ask is that I be given the opportunity to show the The Bodyguard Academy and MI Security Training can provide that quality training that the industry demands.
Michigan is one of the states that has no detailed training requirements or licensing for those who wish to work in the executive protection industry. As long as one is only protecting the 'body' of the client and not the property of the client, there is no need to have a security guard license here in Michigan. But with this requirement of no training, who would you prefer if you were the client, an untrained agent or one who has received training that meet industry standards?
To learn more about what Mi Security Training or The Bodyguard Academy can offer, contact us and lets talk.
I today's economy, for one to advance in the security industry, and in particularly the executive protection industry, one must show the client value. How can we show our clients or even potential clients or employers value?
To me this value is in training, providing quality training programs that will provide my client, the student, with the skills and knowledge necessary to enter the executive protection industry or even to advance in it. There are many training programs out there, some good and some not so good. All I ask is that I be given the opportunity to show the The Bodyguard Academy and MI Security Training can provide that quality training that the industry demands.
Michigan is one of the states that has no detailed training requirements or licensing for those who wish to work in the executive protection industry. As long as one is only protecting the 'body' of the client and not the property of the client, there is no need to have a security guard license here in Michigan. But with this requirement of no training, who would you prefer if you were the client, an untrained agent or one who has received training that meet industry standards?
To learn more about what Mi Security Training or The Bodyguard Academy can offer, contact us and lets talk.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
As the world of security turns.....
Each day as follow the news, whether on-line, or through newspaper, television or radio, we hear of another breach in security. These breaches include such things as the bombs making it onto commercial aircraft, a man impersonating an older gentleman, passengers on commercial air flights acting suspicious -- they all should raise concern.
I am an active reader of the intelligence briefing that Stratfor; (http://www.stratfor.com/); puts out. The founders of this, both former State Department Diplomatic Security Special Agents who worked Protective Intelligence, have done a great job of providing assessments of key topics affecting security. As security professionals -- and I am talking about all forms of security -- we should all be reading these briefings.
There has been a lot of activity going on and we need to keep abreast of what is happening, not just in our own little world. What happens in New York City or Chicago may have a dramatic affect on Kalamazoo, Michigan or Biloxi, Mississippi. Just because you are providing security at the mall (Al Qaeda has stated these are targets), or a small office someplace does not mean that something could not happen there. Incidents of workplace violence can occur anywhere. Suspicious packages can be found in our client sites any time of the day. Does that mean every one of them should be handled by the bomb squad? Maybe, especially if your site has had an increase in unusual activity.
The FBI reports that violent crime is down but that membership in gangs has increased. Every community in the United States has been affected in one way or another by street gangs: MS-13, Crips, Bloods, La Familia Michoacan, Latin Kings; however, major players in the gang world are not the only ones we need to worry about. What is the gang activity in your neighborhood?
While the security industry was never considered by many for full time employment, we are still seeing an increase in employment positions nationwide. Many are still part time positions with many of the full time jobs being located in larger cities. After 9/11 we saw an influx of positions, but yes, we have seen some of those positions go away with many security companies fighting with clients to put those positions back in place. What are the first jobs cities look to cut: fire, EMS, law enforcement and teachers. In industry the first to see funding cut is security. We are constantly doing more with less. Unfortunately it is not until after something happens that they look at security and ask why and what happened. We need to constantly document suspicious activity and report it.
Keep up the good work and stay safe.
I am an active reader of the intelligence briefing that Stratfor; (http://www.stratfor.com/); puts out. The founders of this, both former State Department Diplomatic Security Special Agents who worked Protective Intelligence, have done a great job of providing assessments of key topics affecting security. As security professionals -- and I am talking about all forms of security -- we should all be reading these briefings.
There has been a lot of activity going on and we need to keep abreast of what is happening, not just in our own little world. What happens in New York City or Chicago may have a dramatic affect on Kalamazoo, Michigan or Biloxi, Mississippi. Just because you are providing security at the mall (Al Qaeda has stated these are targets), or a small office someplace does not mean that something could not happen there. Incidents of workplace violence can occur anywhere. Suspicious packages can be found in our client sites any time of the day. Does that mean every one of them should be handled by the bomb squad? Maybe, especially if your site has had an increase in unusual activity.
The FBI reports that violent crime is down but that membership in gangs has increased. Every community in the United States has been affected in one way or another by street gangs: MS-13, Crips, Bloods, La Familia Michoacan, Latin Kings; however, major players in the gang world are not the only ones we need to worry about. What is the gang activity in your neighborhood?
While the security industry was never considered by many for full time employment, we are still seeing an increase in employment positions nationwide. Many are still part time positions with many of the full time jobs being located in larger cities. After 9/11 we saw an influx of positions, but yes, we have seen some of those positions go away with many security companies fighting with clients to put those positions back in place. What are the first jobs cities look to cut: fire, EMS, law enforcement and teachers. In industry the first to see funding cut is security. We are constantly doing more with less. Unfortunately it is not until after something happens that they look at security and ask why and what happened. We need to constantly document suspicious activity and report it.
Keep up the good work and stay safe.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Out Side The Box
If I was to ask any security professional this one question, what do you feel would be his or her response?
“Do you feel the training you received for the current security position was sufficient?”
As a trainer I have asked this question to many of my students over the last 10 years and have received many varied responses. Some of the comments have been good while were quite disheartening. Having been a trainer for a large company in the Metro DC area working on a government contract, new hire and in service training was rather regimented with the need to follow the lesson plan and schedule. Occasionally we would add to and enhance what was required. With a staff of three other trainers we brought to the training programs different backgrounds and experiences. It was when we followed the lesson plan to the word that we seemed to get bad critiques.
I am a firm believer that in adult education you need to incorporate hands on training along with lecture. As we get older we find it harder to sit and listen to the same lectures over and over. Bringing in some hands on training, something as simple as making the student look up a section of the penal code, doing handcuffing practicals, escort formations are some examples. Trainers need to remember that the mind can only input as much as the bottom can withstand. So with this in mind, lets get our students up and doing something. While new hire or entry level training does require a lot of lecture type teaching, nothing says that in-service needs to also.
One of the main components of the training I provide is lots of hands on. Not only do they learn how to do something, but they do it. It does no one any good to see a power point presentation on conducting counter-surveillance, we need to get them into the street and practice what we have taught them, reinforce our teaching points. I even do this with investigator classes; have them bring their lap tops to the classroom, have them Google the student next to them, make them follow along as you perform a criminal background check on line using one of the free databases.
An instructor I know in Virginia stressed to us fledging private investigators many years ago that the only way to learn was to do. Martha is one of those instructors who, when in front of a class, gains the respect and admiration of the students. She is not like many instructors out there, this lady not only can talk the talk., and she can walk the walk Having been a working private investigator, one of the guiding lights behind the Commonwealth of Virginia having some of the most stringent training requirements in the private security industry, this one is worth her weight in gold.
Thanks Martha!
So to all the instructors and trainers out there…..Go beyond the lesson plan, think outside the box. Get your students involved in their education. Make them not only think but do!
“Do you feel the training you received for the current security position was sufficient?”
As a trainer I have asked this question to many of my students over the last 10 years and have received many varied responses. Some of the comments have been good while were quite disheartening. Having been a trainer for a large company in the Metro DC area working on a government contract, new hire and in service training was rather regimented with the need to follow the lesson plan and schedule. Occasionally we would add to and enhance what was required. With a staff of three other trainers we brought to the training programs different backgrounds and experiences. It was when we followed the lesson plan to the word that we seemed to get bad critiques.
I am a firm believer that in adult education you need to incorporate hands on training along with lecture. As we get older we find it harder to sit and listen to the same lectures over and over. Bringing in some hands on training, something as simple as making the student look up a section of the penal code, doing handcuffing practicals, escort formations are some examples. Trainers need to remember that the mind can only input as much as the bottom can withstand. So with this in mind, lets get our students up and doing something. While new hire or entry level training does require a lot of lecture type teaching, nothing says that in-service needs to also.
One of the main components of the training I provide is lots of hands on. Not only do they learn how to do something, but they do it. It does no one any good to see a power point presentation on conducting counter-surveillance, we need to get them into the street and practice what we have taught them, reinforce our teaching points. I even do this with investigator classes; have them bring their lap tops to the classroom, have them Google the student next to them, make them follow along as you perform a criminal background check on line using one of the free databases.
An instructor I know in Virginia stressed to us fledging private investigators many years ago that the only way to learn was to do. Martha is one of those instructors who, when in front of a class, gains the respect and admiration of the students. She is not like many instructors out there, this lady not only can talk the talk., and she can walk the walk Having been a working private investigator, one of the guiding lights behind the Commonwealth of Virginia having some of the most stringent training requirements in the private security industry, this one is worth her weight in gold.
Thanks Martha!
So to all the instructors and trainers out there…..Go beyond the lesson plan, think outside the box. Get your students involved in their education. Make them not only think but do!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
The Need for Training
Do we need training for security officers, investigators and executive protection agents? Should training be required by state law?
Many states still in this Post 9/11 world have no reqirements for mandatory training for those entering the private security industry. Michigan requires that those wishing to be licensed as a private (professional) investigator either have a BA in Criminal Justice or be or have been a police officer. No other training required. Is there a difference between being a police officer and handling private investigations. Yes.
How about executive protection? Michigan has no licensing requirements for EP as long as they are protecting the person and not the property of the person. So what does this mean? That anyone can be a bodyguard. No background check required, no training required. Is this smart? Is this a good thing?
I started MI Security Training in the desire to bring professional training in security to Michigan. MI Security Training offers training for investigators, executive protection agents and security officers. All the training is based on training standards from states that have mandatory training for those who wish to work in the security industry.
Having worked in the private security industry in Washington DC, Virginia and Hawaii I am a strong supporter of the need for training. Would you want your doctor to be well trained? Then why not those you hire to handle your security.
Many states still in this Post 9/11 world have no reqirements for mandatory training for those entering the private security industry. Michigan requires that those wishing to be licensed as a private (professional) investigator either have a BA in Criminal Justice or be or have been a police officer. No other training required. Is there a difference between being a police officer and handling private investigations. Yes.
How about executive protection? Michigan has no licensing requirements for EP as long as they are protecting the person and not the property of the person. So what does this mean? That anyone can be a bodyguard. No background check required, no training required. Is this smart? Is this a good thing?
I started MI Security Training in the desire to bring professional training in security to Michigan. MI Security Training offers training for investigators, executive protection agents and security officers. All the training is based on training standards from states that have mandatory training for those who wish to work in the security industry.
Having worked in the private security industry in Washington DC, Virginia and Hawaii I am a strong supporter of the need for training. Would you want your doctor to be well trained? Then why not those you hire to handle your security.
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