Course Guidelines
The Level 3 qualification is for anyone intending to work as a Close Protection operative in the UK.
Participants will learn a range of skills including threat and risk assessment, operational planning, vehicle and foot drills, reconnaissance, search procedures and physical intervention to equip them with the skills, knowledge, and certification necessary to become proficient Close Protection Officer.
The 18 day course consists of seven units covering all aspects of the role to equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to prepare you for working in the field.
Holders of the SIA Level 3 Close Protection Licence are also entitled to work as Door Supervisors and Security Guards with this qualification.
What the Course Covers
Principles of working as a close protection operative
Working as a close protection operative
Application of conflict management
Principles of terror threat awareness
Application of physical intervention skills
Principles of working as a door supervisor for close protection operatives
Application of physical intervention skills for close protection operatives
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Course Breakdown
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of a close protection operative
1.1 State the purpose of close protection
1.2 State the purpose of close protection training and licensing
1.3 Describe the different roles and responsibilities within a close protection team
1.4 Explain the required standards, behaviours and ethics that apply to a close protection operative
1.5 Identify who is likely to require protective security
1.6 State a range of tasks that a close protection operative may undertake for their principal or whilst working alone
1.7 Explain the difference between a client and a principal within the role of close protection
1.8 Explain how to communicate with the principal and others
1.9 Identify the types of equipment likely to be used by the close protection operative
1.10 State why continuing professional development (CPD) is necessary for a close protection operative
1.11 State the role and responsibilities of protection team members when responding to a threat to your principal
1.12 State what actions you are able to take to deal with dealing with incidents
- Understand current law and legislation within a close protection context
2.1 State the main aims of the Private Security Industry Act
2.2 Identify the main regulatory functions of the Security Industry Authority
2.3 State the purpose of SIA licence integration
2.4 Identify the parts of civil, criminal and common law that have an impact on the role of a close protection operative
- Understand the importance of threat and risk assessment
3.1 State the definition of risk to the protected person(s)
3.2 State the importance of threat and risk management within a close protection context
3.3 Identify threats to a principal within a close protection context
- Understand the importance of threat and risk management
4.1 Describe the difference between a threat and risk assessment for protected person(s) and venues and why it is necessary to conduct both
4.2 State the importance of profiling the protected person to establish the level of threat and associated risk
4.3 Identify the variations in threat assessment and risk management when a principal is arriving and leaving a location
4.4 Explain how close protection operatives gather intelligence for operations within the UK
4.5 Explain how decision-making models can be used within a threat and risk assessment process
4.6 Outline the UK’s Threat Level System
- Understand personal and professional skills within a close protection environment
5.1 Identify the personal and professional skills required of the close protection operative
5.2 Explain effective personal and professional relationships
5.3 Explain what being assertive promotes and with whom
5.4 Explain the importance of etiquette, dress code and protocol
- Understand the importance of teamwork within a close protection environment
6.1 Identify the attributes of an effective team
6.2 Explain the importance of personal and team preparation
6.3 Explain why details of attacks and use of force must be recorded
- Understand surveillance, anti-surveillance and counter-surveillance methods
7.1 State the purpose of surveillance
7.2 Describe the range of basic surveillance applications
7.3 State the purpose of anti-surveillance
7.4 Describe a range of basic anti-surveillance applications
7.5 State the purpose of counter-surveillance
7.6 Describe a range of basic counter-surveillance measures
7.7 State the purpose of Technical Surveillance Counter Measures (TSCM)
7.8 Identify likely sources of unwanted attention
7.9 Describe the equipment used in surveillance, its capabilities and limitations
- Understand search procedures within a close protection operation for people, vehicles andbuildings/venues
8.1 Explain the reasons for a search
8.2 Explain the law in relation to control of access and searching
8.3 Explain the procedures for, and implications of, searching buildings, vehicles and people
8.4 Explain how to deal with unauthorised / dangerous items
8.5 Explain the use of a range of resources available to assist in a search
8.6 Explain the process for sanitising and securing a location prior to and after use
8.7 Identify methods used to secure a vehicle, building or location
8.8 Identify the skills required to search people in different environments
- Understand close protection foot drills
9.1 State the responsibilities of a close protection operative on foot
9.2 Identify the team roles within a close protection team whilst on foot
9.3 Explain the importance of a flexible approach to protection whilst on foot
9.4 Explain the range of communication techniques to be used whilst on foot
9.5 Explain the purpose of effective body protection for the protected person
9.6 Explain the purpose of foot evacuation of the protected person(s)
9.7 Explain the considerations when evacuating a protected person(s) on foot
9.8 Explain the need for foot route selection and planning
- Understand venue security operations and requirements
10.1 Identify a range of venue-related security operations
10.2 Identify common factors that may influence security procedures at a venue
10.3 Explain the importance of communication within a venue
10.4 Explain the use and maintenance of communication equipment and other technology
10.5 State the importance of identifying communication black spots within a venue
10.6 Identify common countermeasures to employ in venuebased close protection operations
10.7 Identify in-house resources available to support venue security and the associated benefits
10.8 State common contingencies that may be employed in venue-based close protection operations
- Understand the importance of planning, route selection and additional licence considerations
11.1 State the purpose of route selection and planning
11.2 Explain the importance of assessing risks associated with route selection
11.3 State the considerations to be made when selecting modes of transport for primary and secondary routes
11.4 Identify a range of technological and non-technological tools for use in route planning
11.5 Identify the advantages and disadvantages associated with the use of technological tools in route planning
11.6 Identify the advantages and disadvantages associated with the use of non-electronic maps
11.7 State the factors to be considered when planning and timing a route
11.8 Produce a primary and secondary route plan using paper based and technology based resources
11.9 Explain the legal requirements for driving a principal within London
- Understand reconnaissance within a close protection environment
12.1 State the purpose of reconnaissance
12.2 State the issues to consider when conducting a reconnaissance
12.3 Outline the role of a Security Advance Party (SAP)
12.4 Explain the difference between discreet and overt reconnaissance
12.5 Conduct reconnaissance activity
- Understand the importance of operational planning
13.1 State the purpose of operational planning
13.2 State the importance of threat and risk assessment in operational planning
13.3 State the importance of time and resource management
13.4 Identify the relevant agencies that may need to be contacted when planning operation
- Undertake a dynamic risk assessment
1.1 Explain the concept of a dynamic risk assessment
1.2 State the need for on-going assessment, response and contingency plans
1.3 Carry out a risk assessment
1.4 Explain how to assess the risk involved in using physical skills, particularly in relation to the threat
- Demonstrate use of surveillance, antisurveillance and counter surveillance
2.1 Use basic surveillance, anti- surveillance and counter surveillance techniques
2.2 Identify signs of potential attack to a principal
- Be able to search people, vehicles and venues
3.1 Demonstrate how to deal with unauthorised / dangerous items
3.2 Carry out methodical and detailed searches on people, places and property
- Demonstrate close protection foot drills
4.1 Demonstrate effective body protection for the protected person
4.2 Demonstrate foot evacuation of protected person(s)
4.3 Demonstrate providing protection when operating on foot
- Be able to demonstrate venue security skills
5.1 Work with in-house security teams
5.2 Conduct a venue search and identify the measures required to maintain a secure environment post search
- Be able to manage transport arrangements within a close protection environment
6.1 Explain how to manage mobile security
6.2 Identify the need for mobile security
6.3 Identify why choosing the correct mode of transport is essential within a security context
6.4 Describe the risks associated with all modes of transport
6.5 Identify the need for alternative transport plans
6.6 State the impact the mode of transport may have on the capabilities of the close protection team
6.7 Identify the potential consequences on the close protection team in relation to transport arrangements
6.8 State the checks that must be completed when selecting modes of transport
6.9 Complete risk-based contingency planning
6.10 Carry out incident management follow-up
6.11 Demonstrate embus/debus techniques
- Be able to prepare and carry out a close protection assignment
7.1 Develop an operational plan
7.2 Implement an operational plan
7.3 Conduct an operational briefing, handover and debriefing
- Be able to deal with a range of incidents within a close protection environment
8.1 Demonstrate how to deal with a range of incidents within a close protection environment
8.2 Explain the personal responsibility of a close protection operative when dealing with an incident
8.3 State the importance and role of standard operating procedures (SOPs) within a close protection context
1 Understand the principles of conflict management appropriate to the role
1.1 Identify situations that can lead to conflict
1.2 State how positive and constructive communication can be used to manage conflict
1.3 Recognise why it is important to be familiar with policies and procedures relating to workplace violence
1.4 Identify the stages of escalation in conflict situations
1.5 Recognise the stages of the attitude and behaviour cycle
2 Understand how to recognise, assess and reduce risk in conflict situations
2.1 Recognise the potential risk posed in a conflict situation
2.2 Identify factors that can trigger or inhibit a range of responses in self and others
2.3 Identify a range of responses to conflict situations
2.4 Recognise the stages in de-escalating conflict
2.5 State the importance of positioning and exit routes
3 Understand the use of problem-solving techniques when resolving conflict
3.1 Recognise how to use empathy to resolve conflict
3.2 Identify the benefits of using problem-solving techniques
3.3 Recognise how win-win approaches work to resolve conflict situations
4 Be able to communicate to de-escalate conflict
4.1 Recognise verbal and non-verbal communication techniques
4.2 Explain how to deal with communication barriers in conflict situations
4.3 Identify different behaviour types
4.4 Demonstrate approaches to take when addressing unacceptable behaviour
4.5 Demonstrate ways to de-escalate conflict situations
4.6 Demonstrate working with colleagues to de-escalate conflict situation
- Understand terror threats and the role of the security operative in the event of a threat
1.1 Identify the different threat levels
1.2 Recognise the common terror attack methods
1.3 Recognise the actions to take in the event of a terror threat
1.4 Identify the procedures for dealing with suspicious items
1.5 Identify behaviours that could indicate suspicious activity
1.6 Identify how to respond to suspicious behaviour
- Understand how to keep vulnerable people safe
1.1 Recognise duty of care with regard to vulnerable people
1.2 Identify factors that could make someone vulnerable
1.3 Identify actions that the security operative should take towards vulnerable individuals
1.4 Identify behaviours that may be exhibited by sexual predators
1.5 Identify indicators of abuse
1.6 State how to deal with allegations of sexual assault
1.7 State how to deal with anti-social behaviour
- Understand licensing law relevant to the role of a door supervisor
2.1 Identify the licensing objectives
2.2 State the law in relation to refusing entry and ejecting customers
2.3 Identify police powers regarding licensed premises
2.4 State the rights and duties of licensees and door supervisors as their representatives
2.5 State the role of the designated premises supervisor (DPS)/premises manager (PM)
2.6 State the law regarding children and young persons on licensed premises
2.7 State conduct that is unlawful under licensing, gaming and sexual offences legislation
2.8 Identify acceptable forms of proof of age
- Understand queue management and venue capacity responsibilities relevant to a door supervisor
3.1 State the responsibilities of a door supervisor when controlling queues
3.2 Recognise the benefits of queue control
3.3 Identify the importance of following dispersal procedures
3.4 State why communication is important throughout the queuing process
3.5 State the responsibilities of a door supervisor in relation to crowd capacity regulations
Highfield Level 3 Certificate for Close Protection Operatives in the Private Security Industry 65
3.6 Identify how and when to monitor a queue for potential safety issues
3.7 State the factors to consider when ejecting or refusing entry to a person who may be vulnerable
- Understand the requirements of providing clear and concise instructions to the principal and team members in emergency situations
1.1 Identify situations where the principal’s personal safety is likely to be compromised
1.2 Recognise situations that do not compromise safety but are likely to cause embarrassment or delays to the principal’s schedule
1.3 Explain the importance of using agreed ‘intervention words’ and ‘non-verbal cues’between the principal and team
1.4 Explain the implications of ineffective communication in high-risk situations
- Know how to respond to a change in operational conditions from standard operatingprocedure(SOP) to emergency operating procedure (EOP)
2.1 Describe how to trigger a change of operational conditions
2.2 Explain the considerations when responding to heightened threat, risk, or incidents
- Know the responsibilities of the close protection team when there is an immediate physical threatto the principal
3.1 Identify the priorities for each role in the immediate close protection team when a physical threat is realised
- Understand the necessity for narrowing the concentric layers of protection when managing animmediate threat to the principal
4.1 Identify the purpose of narrowing the concentric layers of protection for a principal
4.2 Explain the considerations of the personal escort section (PES) team members within a protective formation
4.3 Explain the considerations of the personalprotective officer (PPO) within a protective formation
- Understand the implications of common and criminal law when using force on another person
5.1 Describe the requirements of common law to justify the use of force towards another person
5.2 Explain the requirements of criminal law to justify the use of force towards another person
5.3 State the importance of only using physical intervention skills as a last resort
- Know the positive alternatives to using physical intervention skills in a close protectionenvironment
6.1 Identify alternative methods of protecting a principal from assault which do not involve physical contact with others
- Understand associated threats as a result of an attempted assault or unwarranted attentiontowards a principal
7.1 Identify secondary potential threats to the principal and team
- Know how to apply physical intervention skills in a justifiable, ethical, and professional manner
8.1 Explain the legal, medical, and ethical implications of physical interventions within the context and boundaries of UK legislation.
- Be able to use non-pain compliant soft skills to prevent harm to a principal
9.1 Demonstrate soft skills to redirect others
9.2 Demonstrate soft skills to restrict a subject’s movements
9.3 Demonstrate non pain compliant skills to redirect others
9.4 Demonstrate non pain compliant skills to restrict a subject’s movements
- Be able to use defensive non-pain compliant skills to protect self from assault
10.1 Demonstrate skills to evade and protect self from blows
10.2 Demonstrate skills to protect self from choke holds and strangulation
10.3 Demonstrate skills to make space and withdraw self from perceived or actual weapon intended to cause harm
10.4 Demonstrate methods of disengagement of yourself from grabs and holds
- Be able to use non-pain compliant methods of protecting the inner cordon
11.1 Demonstrate methods of preventing subject from penetrating inner cordon
11.2 Demonstrate methods of applying a restrictive hold
11.3 Demonstrate method of removing a person
11.4 Demonstrate a two-person method of removing a person
- Be able to protect the principal from assault
12.1 Demonstrate a method of disengaging the principal from unwelcome embraces and holds
12.2 Demonstrate a method of protecting the principal from blows
- Understand physical interventions and the implications of their use
1.1 State the legal implications of using physical intervention
1.2 State the professional implications of using physical intervention
1.3 Identify positive alternatives to physical intervention
1.4 Identify the differences between defensive physical skills and physical interventions
- Understand the risks associated with using physical intervention
2.1 Identify the risk factors involved with the use of physical intervention
2.2 Recognise the signs and symptoms associated with acute behavioural disturbance (ABD) and psychosis
2.3 State the specific risks associated with positional asphyxia
2.4 State the specific risks associated with prolonged physical interventions
- Understand how to reduce the risks associated with physical intervention
3.1 State the specific risks of dealing with physical intervention incidents on the ground
3.2 Identify how to deal with physical interventions on the ground appropriately
3.3 Identify ways of reducing the risk of harm during physical interventions
3.4 State the benefits of dynamic risk assessment in situations where physical intervention is used
3.5 State how to manage and monitor a person’s safety during physical intervention
3.6 State the responsibilities of all involved during a physical intervention
3.7 State the responsibilities immediately following a physical intervention
3.8 State why it is important to maintain physical intervention knowledge and skills
- Be able to use physical skills to protect yourself and others
4.1 Demonstrate stance and positioning skills
4.2 Demonstrate skills used to evade and protect against blows
4.3 Demonstrate methods of disengagement from grabs and holds
4.4 Demonstrate non-aggressive intervention methods to stop assaults or fights
4.5 Communicate professionally throughout the physical intervention
- Be able to use non-pain compliant standing, holding and escorting techniques
5.1 Demonstrate how to physically prompt a person
5.2 Demonstrate low-level restrictive standing holds that can be used to escort an individual
5.3 Demonstrate low-level restrictive standing one and two person holds that can be used to escort an individual
5.4 Demonstrate transitions between disengagement techniques and escorting techniques
5.5 Demonstrate how to escort an individual on stairways
5.6 Demonstrate how to disengage safely
5.7 Demonstrate how to manage risk immediately following disengagement
