V.I.P.A Tactical Training

In the close protection and Self-protection industry we are always talking about 'Situational Awareness' as part of our first line of defence. While out driving, walking down the street or at our place of work, we should always be aware of our surroundings, the people around us, the atmosphere, the traffic and so on. Easy when you know how, but there is one job where being situationally aware is just not possible, the outside broadcast being given by a reporter / Journalist /correspondent who is out in public, on the street in front of a camera; reporting on whatever news event is being covered in sometimes hostile environments or hostile situations.

Their whole focus is 100% on the camera or on the person being interviewed while the cameramans job is to concentrate on the person giving the broadcast or to film the events as they unfold.

Listed below are some of the countries where journalists have been attacked and these attacks are not isolated incidents. In some cases what at first may seem like a peaceful environment can quickly turn into a life threatening situation. In some cases it has, with journalists being killed, robbed and violently or sexually assaulted.
UK
USA
Sweden
China
Germany
Egypt
Thailand
Belgium
Australia
Canada
France
South Africa
Venezuela
Iraq
Afghanistan
Saudi Arabia

In all of the above countries; not only have local reporters been attacked but also western reporters have come under attack also, both men and women. Not only have we seen these attacks but also the real possibility of an attack occurring just by the presence of a reporter and camera crew in the area.

The antics of som emenbers of the public in the presence of a TV camera can at times seem funny to those watching at home but can be worrying for both reporter and crew who need to be professional and concentrate on the job at hand.
We have seen these antics on streets with only a few people around to large sporting events, marches and demonstrations. Who is to say if wnd when the clowning around will not turn suddenly violent.

We have seen investigative reporters become victims from asking probing questions to those under some form of investigation or for simply asking a question to the wrong person on the street..

In 2015 110 journalists were killed while doing their job, only 11 of these were killed in Syria and 12 killed in Iraq with the rest being killed in 'peaceful ' countries. These were also found to be due to deliberate violence targeted towards journalists.
In 2016 there were 115 journalists killed while doing their job and so far this year 22 have been killed. From 2016 it has been found to be the most dangerous times to be a journalists with over 400 reports of violence or threats of violence throughout the EU. It has also been found that many do not report either threats or actual acts of violence.

In countries where journalists are reporting on political, social or religious upheaval or activities there is a very real threat of imprisonment as has been seen with last year with over 400 journalists detained.

Looking at our Threat Level Continuum:
Nuisance Person
Hostile / Friendly Crowd
Missile Thrown
Unarmed Physical Attack
Armed Physical Attack - Edged & Blunt Trauma Weapons
Close Range Gun
Long Range Gun
Bomb & Grenade Attack
Vehicle Ambush

You can see when protecting journalists how you could easily find yourself faced with a single threat and very quickly find yourself protecting them from various threat levels simultaneously.

Depending on the actual threat, perceived threat, location and players involved, good local ground knowledge and a sound escape & evasion plan may be a must, should the situation deteriorate at a rapid rate of knots.

If the situation on the ground deteriorates as in the riot pictured above; I hope your skill sets are up to the task at hand.

See our course dates page for up and coming Close Protection Combat Systems training courses.

Stay Dangerous

Rock

A bodyguard; after we had been out walking with the Principal asked me a question, 'While out walking do you ever find that your mind wanders'? After my initial shock, my one word answer, NO!

As I walked away in disbelief I started to wonder how often this guy or any other guys for that matter
are actually observing their surroundings?

It takes disciple and a lot of practice, not to mention being fit enough for long, possibly boring hours, to keep switched on and alert as to what is or is not happening in your arc/area of observation.
On the other hand; on a busy day out in public, it takes discipline, lots of practice, mental toughness and alertness and in these situations; being 'calm' enough to actually observe, see, know what it is you are looking at and respond correctly should the need arise.

Its not just being a suit filler and standing looking tough, your observation discipline  is what enhances your situational awareness.

The above photo of the Duchess of Cornwall surrounded by female Saudi bodyguards raises a lot of talking points, but as we are discussing observation I think this photo gives a pretty clear picture of where you should not be looking!

We've seen recently how a lack of observation discipline and situational awareness has let two operations down, namely the attacks on Gigi Hadid and Kim Karsashian.

Look at the photo below of the assassination attempt on President Reagan. The attack comes from the right hand side in front of the forward police officer who is observing the President and not his arcs.

Now I've talked about this in the past in under the headings 'Arcs of Observation for the Close Protection Operator' and in 'Ground Appreciation' both dealing with different aspects of observational skills.

These skill are important when working in familiar settings but if you are travelling frequently then becoming familiar with your new surrounding fast; is essential. Not just the look of the place, the street layouts, routes etc. But the feel of the place, the people, the atmosphere.

Your recce reports along with your vulnerable point study, intelligence reports, direct / indirect threats, crime and terrorism in you are of operations will dictate your mode of transport, foot formations and what response plans, your 'Actions On' will be in the event of a 'Contact'. Information from all of these background activities will make observation in your arc of responsibility that much more focused.

These skills are not under the sole ownership of the close protection fraternity, they are essential for military personnel, law enforcement personnel and of course the citizens on the street.

So how are your observation skills? Do you know how to look, and then see what you are looking at? How is your body language knowledge, your criminal and terrorist profiling capabilities and do you know their M.O?

For your own protection, your family's protection and the protection of your Principal I hope your 'MIND IS NOT WANDERING' and your eyes are not 'WIDE SHUT'

If you want to learn more then get in touch at paul@vipatacticaltraining.com 

Stay Dangerous

Rock