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Book of the Month

Book of the Month

The Book of the Month for July is Gavin de Becker’s bestselling book “THE GIFT OF FEAR.”

De Becker’s book was published in 1997, (387 pages, Hardcover) and made the New York Times bestseller list for four months. Since that time, it has been published in 13 languages and in 2006 an abridged Audio CD was produced. (FYI For those of you who don’t like to read!) It has been endorsed by every major women’s magazine, and has been featured numerous times on the Oprah show and other television programs. Time and Newsweek has also run stories on the book.

The book’s primary purpose is to demonstrate through stories (drawn from De Becker’s life and his decades studying violence) that violent acts are NOT random and unpredictable. He believes there are distinct warning signs–we just need to learn to see them and appropriately decipher these signs.

Specific topics “THE GIFT OF FEAR” addresses:

* Recognize the survival signals that warn us about risk from strangers

* Rely on their intuition

* Separate real from imagined danger

* Predict Dangerous Behavior

* Evaluate whether someone will use violence

* Move beyond denial so that their intuition works for them

ALSO included are “higher-risk” situations and solutions:

What is the best way to respond to threats?

* Will the employee I must fire react violently?

* How should I handle the person who refuses to let go?

* What are the dangers posed by strangers?

* How can I help my loved ones be safer?

This book is a must-read for anyone in the Executive Protection field, and one to share with clients so they can help you to protect them!

Bodyguard Commits Suicide After Wife Leaves

In The News

IN THE NEWS

July 4th, 2008

After a series of violent fights, one of the senior bodyguards to the Duchess of Cornwall shot himself. When his wife of 20 years left him, Sgt. Richard Fuller sent a text message to his wife, saying he “could not live without her.” Fuller was 55 and the father of four adult children.

Two weeks into the couple’s trial separation, Fuller shot himself with his hunting rifle at his home in Bremhill, Wilts

Fuller had been in charge of security at Raymill House, the six-bedroom home in Wiltshire the Duchess bought after her divorce from her first husband. Fuller had a commendation for bravery in an exemplary career that spanned 29 years. He was a trained armed response officer with Wiltshire Police.

According to the inquest, a complaint had been made against him in 2006 claiming he’d used excessive force during an arrest. He was acquitted of the charge, but the incident caused depression and weighed heavily on the man. He felt he was “losing control” of his personal and professional lives, and was prescribed anti-depressant drugs by the psychiatrist who was helping him.

The separation in February was the couples 2nd, the first was in January last year, due to Fuller’s aggressive behavior towards his wife. Mrs. Fuller spent time at their home to prepare meals and tend to their horse.On

March 9th, just two weeks after the 2nd trial separation, Mrs. Fuller, received the text message from her husband. Alarmed, she contacted a colleague in the police department and they found him dead of gunshot wounds in his bed.

As is customary, all guns were removed from his home after he took time off work with depression, and Fuller’s firearms permit was revoked in January 200.7. However, the permit was reinstated in May that year.

Mark Johnson, Sgt Fuller’s son from his first marriage, expressed concern at the inquest. He felt given his father’s mental state, he didn’t understand why the police had allowed his father to keep guns. After the inquest, Superintendant Matt Pullen of Wiltshire police stated “Because of the critical nature of a firearms officer’s duties, they are subject to constant, rigorous and regular checks, and there was no breach of any of these processes.”

 

The Price of Going Without Personal Protection

Executive Protection Articles, In The News

According to the Associated Press, Javon Walker was beaten and left unconscious on a street in Las Vegas. The Oakland Raiders wide receiver had been partying, and was found a little after 7:00 a.m. He was hospitalized with “significant injuries.” A large amount of cash and some jewelry were taken.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This goes in the “what was he thinking?” file. Walker is rumored to have dropped $15,000 on the party the evening prior to discovering him unconscious on the street. He has a six-year, $55 million contract with the Raiders, where was his security?

I shudder to think just how bad this whole situation might have turned out. What if he had been permanently injured or crippled by his attackers? His career would be over. The cost to hire a few bodyguards for the night is so minimal for a man with his affluence–it’s laughable. It’s like you or I purchasing a pizza! Given the average cost of a visit to the emergency room, the surgery, medications, and the stay in the hospital, he has far surpassed the cost of hiring personal protection.

Perhaps he felt his size as a ball player would intimidate any would-be attackers, and so he didn’t feel the need for protection? I’ve no idea, I’m speculating. I’m guessing it was a group of men who attacked him, and even the biggest of men can’t thwart an attack by 2, 3 or 4 guys!Â

Beyond preventing a physical attack, Walker needs to think about public perception. Having a bodyguard or two on hand would have meant that someone had his back. After a night of heavy partying, his security would have arranged to get him home safely. Being found unconscious on a street after a party paints a very negative picture of the man. Let’s be honest here, we’re all thinking he must have been extremely intoxicated and disoriented, and clearly, he was unprotected.

I hope that other celebrities and sports figures heed this story.

 

Myths about Celebrity Protection

Featured Articles, Insider Tips

I’m sure that my colleagues would agree that there is a certain “mystique” to the Bodyguard and Executive Protection industry. It is a world that can be somewhat shrouded in secrecy, and unfortunately, impressions of this business can be formed based on what the public sees on television and in the movies. In the interest of getting to some truth about this business, I thought it would be interesting to share some real world information that might help those who are interested in this career to understand that what is portrayed in the media is not always the whole (or realistic) picture.

Just to be clear, there are several terms that are used and are somewhat interchangeable for “Executive Protection Specialist.” They include: CPO (Close Protection Operative), and also “Bodyguard.”  Wikipedia describes a bodyguard or EPS as: a type of security guard or government agent who protects a person—usually a famous, wealthy, or politically important figure—from assault, kidnapping, assassination, loss of confidential information, or other threats.

[Read more…] about Myths about Celebrity Protection

True Bodyguard Stories #7 Nobody’s Thug

True Bodyguard Stories

Nobody’s Thug

Back in the mid-90s, I was working with a partner in Los Angeles. We got the call to work a detail for a wealthy V.I.P. who needed two bodyguards for a night out at one of the swankiest nightclubs in the city. My partner and I were responsible for driving this gentleman and his entourage of 15 people to the venue, and the job was fairly routine, as these jobs go; escorting his guests to the restroom, getting the server when the cocktails were running low, keeping his area of the V.I.P. room secure.

Everything changed when a friend of mine showed up. She and I had met at the gym, and both knew some of the same people in the acting world. It just so happened her photo spread had just appeared, and she was Playboy’s Playmate of the Month. She came by to say hello, and immediately after she walks away, my client asks “who was that?” He was rather forceful guy, clearly accustomed to getting what he wanted. “I want to meet her,” he insisted. So, I thought to be polite, I’d make an introduction. I brought her around to his table, and of course she was her usual nice, friendly self and she’d become something of a celebrity so she was obliging a fan.

After a few minutes of chatting, and a glass of champagne, she excused herself and returned to her friends. My client walked up to me and said “I want her.” He seemed to mistake her charm and politeness for interest in him. I explained that she was there with her boyfriend, a New York actor of some note, but that didn’t dissuade this guy. “How much do I have to pay you to kick his ass?” I was taken aback. I’d never had a client make such a ridiculous request.

[Read more…] about True Bodyguard Stories #7 Nobody’s Thug

Just Say No

Executive Protection Articles

Bodyguard Careers has addressed this topic before on this site (A SLIPPERY SLOPE: Balancing Ethics With Discretion as a Bodyguard) but I think it is worth another examination, given a breaking news story. As many of you may already know, former Navy SEAL bodyguard Stephen “Otter” Otten has been sent to jail for refusing to cooperate with an investigation into his employer’s former company, Broadcom Corporation. The company is under investigation for illegally backdating stock options and falsifying reported income. The jailed man’s attorney stated on behalf of Otten that “SEALs don’t snitch.”

I don’t know about anybody else, but I’m not sure I’d be willing to go to jail for my employer’s (alleged) misconduct or indiscretions or illegal activity.

I am curious as to how it is that Otten would be in possession of any corporate information as regards Broadcom–or that Otten was even aware of any wrong-doing on the part of his employer. Perhaps he was witness to certain meetings, or heard conference calls, nobody knows for certain. My understanding is that his job was to protect his employer’s children.

I do know that over the long haul of my years as a bodyguard, I saw things that were questionable, and witnessed all kinds of behavior–but never felt that I was in a position of being held accountable or responsible for another adult’s actions. BUT I also learned when to draw the line and let my employers know that I was not going to participate in anything illegal.

I can imagine how a young person, who is being paid a hefty salary could be convinced by an employer to conduct themselves in ways that serve their employer, but harm themselves. Which is why it is vital that bodyguards not become “star-struck” with the celebrity they are paid to protect. It is important to remember that these individuals–no matter how famous, rich, or influential–are people who are subject to the same laws and will suffer consequences for illegal actions.

It is extremely important to let your employer know that you will not participate in illegal activities of any kind. As to morals, that is something of a “gray” area. Some clients will cheat. Some will lie. Some will want you to “cover” for them. At some point, you may be in a position where you will need to ask yourself if the paycheck is worth it. If you sign on to work with a client who is known to be involved in drugs, or risky behavior you have signed on to an assignment that could potentially land you in hot water. 

I think the wisest thing to do would be to remind your employer that just as you are keeping them safe and secure from harm, that you expect the same from them. Tell them in advance that you’re not willing to risk arrest. If you’ve been hired and it is clear that your employer is putting you in jeopardy you may need to resign. There is no “gray” area if it’s a choice between jail or a paycheck. The law is black and white.

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