PROTECTION NEWS-2

Princess Diana may be dead and buried but her bodyguard is alive and well in the oil-rich swamps of the Nigerian Niger-Delta. Trevor Rees-Jones was the sole survivor of the August 1997 auto crash that killed the Princess of Wales, Princess Diana, and her boyfriend Dodi Fayed in Paris.

Rees-Jones, who could not save the life of the princess, now makes a living guarding British oil workers against hostage - taking militants in the Niger Delta. He has been a contractor with Control Risks Group (CRG) for more than two years, where he earns £300 per day [approx. N2.5 million a month] as a shift worker. Rees-Jones lives a quiet life in Nigeria. Of course, the creeks of the Niger Delta cannot measure up to the glamour of Paris, his previous home.

A security consultant says that Rees-Jones is probably chased by ghosts from his past. "I've seen him a few times but he rarely speaks and seems like a haunted man. Trevor keeps to himself and barely speaks to any of the other security
guys," he says. Rees-Jones' demeanour could also be a result of the health complications from the auto crash. He suffered severe head injuries which probably led to a memory loss.

Rees-Jones could not recall the events that led to the crash. He has also had a series of maxillofacial surgeries. It seems that CRG has discovered the same skill that got Rees-Jones the plum job of guarding the princess. It has been said of him that: "CRG seems to rate him highly as he is good at his job and there has never been an incident while he has been heading security."

Gunmen abducted John Solecki,

head of the UN refugee agency in Quetta, on his way to work Monday.
By Issam Ahmed | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor

from the February 03, 2009 edition - http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0203/p12s01-wosc.html
Pakistan: UN official's kidnapping highlights security threat

Lahore, Pakistan
An American UN official was kidnapped and his driver was shot dead by gunmen in southwestern Pakistan on Monday, in a further example of the deteriorating security situation in the country. John Solecki, head of the UN refugee office in the city of Quetta, in Balochistan Province, was on his way to work with his driver, Syed Hashim, when their vehicle was intercepted, according to Pakistani officials.

Foreign Ministry officials denounced the abduction as a "dastardly terrorist act." The government has moved to seal the city with paramilitary forces, checking vehicles as they exit the city. Officials say the motive behind the kidnapping remains unknown. So far no group has claimed responsibility, leaving analysts to speculate whether the kidnapping was orchestrated by religious militants, regional nationalist groups, or common criminals.

Quetta is the capital of Balochistan, which borders Afghanistan and Iran. Separatist groups in the province have been conducting a low-level insurgency for decades, though the Baloch groups are not known to target foreigners. Afghanistan has also accused Pakistani intelligence agencies of harboring Taliban leader Mullah Omar in the city of Quetta since he fled Afghanistan in 2001, a claim Pakistan rejects.

The incident has rocked government officials who see the kidnapping as an attempt to destabilize the coalition government, which has been in place since elections were held last February. Lashkari Raisani, president of the ruling Pakistan People's Party in Balochistan, says: "It's totally shocking. We couldn't imagine a thing like this could happen here."

Citing police sources, Mr. Raisani says the kidnappers may have been "Baloch-speaking" – indicating that the generally Pastho-speaking Taliban may not be involved – but he added he could not be sure. "They are well-organized, and I think it was orchestrated by those who have an interest in destabilizing the province and the democratically elected government," he says.

Kidnappings occur more in northwest

Balochistan, though a dangerous region, has thus far been spared the extreme violence prevalent in the neighboring North West Frontier Province (NWFP), which has seen a spate of foreigners kidnapped in recent months. Last year an Iranian diplomat was abducted in the city of Peshawar in the NWFP, while American aid worker Stephen Vance was shot dead in November.

The top US diplomat in the northwest, Lynne Tracy, narrowly survived an attack on her vehicle in Peshawar in August.Pakistani Taliban militants were believed to be responsible for the kidnapping of a Chinese engineer, a Polish engineer, and two Afghan diplomats. All of them were abducted in the northwest and are still being held. Last October, after a suicide truck-bomb attack on the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad killed 56 people, including six foreigners, the United Nations ordered the children of foreign staff to leave Pakistan.

Solecki: out and about

According to Saleem Shahid, a correspondent based in Quetta for the Pakistani English-language daily, Dawn, Mr. Solecki – who has lived in Quetta for about two years – regularly traveled around without security detail. "I would see him regularly in the bazaar. Once he came to tell me about his travels outside the city to witness the sport of buzkashi," a polo-like sport, says Shahid. A UN statement condemned the attack and said all measures were being taken to secure Solecki's release.

Lawmaker Wants Inaugural Events' Security Checked

By Aaron C. Davis
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 4, 2009; Page A04

The chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security has requested an independent audit of security surrounding Barack Obama's inauguration after several top donors said they were not screened for firearms or explosives between the time they left a public street and entered areas near the president.
Six donors told The Washington Post last month that after a security screening early Jan. 20, they mingled with the general public before being allowed to board "secure" buses that took them to seats near Obama at the Capitol and later to bleachers next to him at the White House.
In a letter Monday to Homeland Security Inspector General Richard L. Skinner, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) said the allegations raised "significant concerns" about inaugural security led by the Secret Service. He asked Skinner to "investigate and identify" any security deficiencies.

"It would appear that any enterprising terrorist or other criminal could have easily infiltrated even the most secure areas on Inauguration Day with potentially disastrous results," Thompson wrote. Ed Donovan, a spokesman for the Secret Service, said the agency has been working with D.C. Police, the U.S. Park Police and other law enforcement agencies since the inauguration to complete a review that is standard for the agency following major events. "Although we have not directly received the information referenced in the Washington Post article, we will look at the areas reported," Donovan said in an e-mail.

He also said the agency will cooperate with any inquiry conducted by the inspector general's office. "Although protection agencies from around the world come to us for guidance, we have never relinquished our commitment to learn and improve upon our security protocols," Donovan wrote. The audit would be the Homeland Security inspector general's first probe of Secret Service operations involving protection of a president, aside from technical audits of computer systems in 2005. In an interview, Thompson said he wants someone with broad authority to review all aspects of local, state and federal homeland security efforts to determine whether breakdowns occurred and, if so, whether they were the responsibility of the Secret Service or another agency.

"This is not to point blame," Thompson said, noting that without a single arrest on Inauguration Day, security apparently was effective. Thompson said he was also concerned that VIP guests were quick to post online accounts of what they viewed as lax security. Donors faulted the security for private meetings with Obama and Vice President-Elect Joe Biden in the days before the inauguration. One said ticket inspections were so lax that no one noticed when, at a breakfast the morning before the inauguration, he brought in a guest whose name had not been submitted for a background check to take pictures with Biden.

Donovan said the Secret Service neither issues nor checks tickets. It is the responsibility of the event host to handle such matters, he said. Donors questioned the ticket checks at events hosted by the Presidential Inaugural Committee. Josh Earnest, former communications director for the committee, said the ticket checks were for crowd control, not security. Asked about The Post report during a TV interview Monday, Obama expressed confidence in the Secret Service. "These guys and gals are unbelievably professional," he said. "They know what they're doing. And I basically do what they tell me to do."

Crime in Mexico Fueling Armored Vehicles,
Micro-Chips and Bodyguards

The Miami-Herald has another article on how crime is affecting Mexicans of all economic levels in Mexico and the steps they are taking to combat the epidemic of crime. You can read the article yourself but here’s some highlights:

Investment in crime prevention in Mexico reached $18 BILLION USD in 2007. That figure is expected to show an increase when the 2008 investment numbers are released particularly since crime in Mexico worsened in 2008 over 2007.
Kidnappers in Mexico believe they can net between $15k and $22K within a week. One sad story that illustrates how ruthless these kidnappers are involves a five year old boy from a poor family who was killed when the kidnappers injected acid into his heart because the kidnappers feared getting caught. Inhuman.
Demand for armored vehicles is growing annually. In 2008, there were between 1,700 and 1,800 new armored vehicles produced.
The Mexican bodyguard industry, Mexican Society of Bodyguards, is advocating tougher standards on certification of bodyguards and greater regulation of the bodyguard industry. I’m all for this despite my inherent dislike of encroaching government regulations. The bodyguard industry in Mexico leaves a lot to be desired and new standards of training and certification will go a long way to improve that industry. Bodyguards in Mexico are notoriously under paid and regarded with a great deal of disdain but it’s understandable. The average bodyguard in Mexico has no formal training and it shows. Bodyguards in Mexico are often viewed as nothing more than security guards in civilian clothes and are frequently expected to do personal service tasks as opposed to protective tasks. Part of the reason for that perception may lie in the lack of professionalism they exhibit and their inability to perform basic body guard duties. Mandatory training, retraining and certification standards will save lives, provide for decent wages and instill professionalism in an industry that sorely needs it in Mexico.

The Athenas: Mexico’s National Female Bodyguards

In yet another sign of the worsening security conditions in Mexico, the first all female police bodyguard unit has been established as a branch of Mexico’s Federal State Security Agency. The bodyguard detail is known as “Las Ateneas” (the Athenas) after the Greek Goddess of War, Athena.

The 20 member unit is comprised of female Mexican police officers who have received specialized body guard and law enforcement training such as first aid, firearms and defensive driving. The Athenas specialize in low-profile missions to include surveillance and bodyguard assignments. An Athena is paid about $138 per week, a paltry sum when compared to what a female bodyguard in the U.S. or Europe would make in a similar position however its within the range for police salaries in Mexico.

Cusaem, the parent organization of the Athenas is itself a unique organization. Although Cusaem is a government agency, it services primarily commercial clients, particularly major corporations. The commercial entities pay for the police services they receive from Cusaem.

So far the Athenas have proven to be quite popular, with demand for female executive protection agents up 12% in 2008 which is expected to grow even more in 2009.

Demand for female bodyguards has increased worldwide as well particularly in some countries with traditional perspectives on the role of women in their societies. India for example, has recently experienced a surge of demands for female bodyguards. Requests for female bodyguards from wealthy Middle East families visiting Europe and the U.S. has also increased in the past few years.

With all of the crime and instability in Mexico these days, the Athenas should see plenty of demand for their services.

Diplomatic Courier Honored With U.S. Department of State Award for Heroism

Bureau of Diplomatic Security
Washington, DC
February 17, 2009

Diplomatic Courier Displayed Valor Under Life Threatening Circumstances

Tomas A. Perez, a native of Austin, TX, and a Diplomatic Courier for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security, has been named a recipient of the Department’s “Award for Heroism.” Diplomatic Courier Perez, 35, was honored for outstanding performance under unusually difficult and dangerous circumstances. The awards ceremony was held on February 17, 2009, at Diplomatic Security Bureau headquarters in Virginia. Diplomatic Security’s Assistant Secretary, Ambassador Eric J. Boswell, presented Perez with a medal set and a certificate signed by the Secretary of State.

Perez routinely accompanies diplomatic pouches to diplomatic posts abroad, ensuring that equipment and materials arrive securely in support of the U.S. Department of State’s mission. However, on May 25, 2008, Perez went above and beyond the call of duty when, following an airline crash, he ensured that the diplomatic cargo he was protecting, as well as other passengers aboard the plane, were safe.

That morning, Perez was strapped into the jump seat aboard an American Kalitta 747-200 cargo aircraft, ready for takeoff from the Brussels airport. As the aircraft sped down the runway, Perez heard a loud noise. At that point the pilot aborted lift-off and tried to bring the aircraft to a safe stop. But as the landing gear failed, the airplane skidded the length of the runway and plunged into a field, causing the fuselage to break apart. The aircraft’s nose section, which included the cockpit with four crew members and Perez, broke off from the rest of the plane and dropped to the ground, stopping just twenty-six feet from high power lines and railroad tracks.

Despite sustaining minor injuries, Perez jumped into action, trying to help his fellow passengers. After several attempts to open two jammed doors, and as the cockpit filled with the smell of toxic jet fuel, Perez was able to locate and open a hatch so he and the crew could escape. Perez led the hesitant crew to safety, teaching them how to use body friction against the side of the slide to slow their steep descent.

Once the crew was safely on the ground, Perez quickly alerted authorities at the U.S. Department of State of the accident and his need for support. Mindful of his training as a Diplomatic Courier, Perez refused medical treatments so that he could maintain round-the-clock visual surveillance of the three containers full of diplomatic pouches – an amount big enough to fill an 18-wheeler cargo truck. Crews from the U.S. Embassy in Brussels and the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt flew in to take shifts guarding the cargo continuously for eight days while HAZMAT personnel cleared the leaking jet fuel and investigators combed the crash site.

In presenting the award, Ambassador Boswell stated “Andy Perez is a real hero in the classical sense: he protected other people; he upheld his duty by protecting diplomatic cargo; he performed above and beyond the call of duty, in the finest spirit of selflessness and devotion to a greater cause.” Perez is the son of Margaret Fitch and Edward Perez of Austin, Texas. He is a 1991 graduate of the AmericanInternationalSchool in Salzburg, Austria. Additionally, Perez studied International Economics and Computer Science at the University of Texas at Austin and graduated in 1997.

In 2005, Perez became a Diplomatic Courier and initially worked in WashingtonD.C. Currently he works in Germany’s Frankfurt Regional Diplomatic Courier Division. This is not the first time the U.S. Department of State has honored Perez. In 2007 Perez received the Meritorious Honor Award for outstanding efforts in office modernization and dedication to the mission of the U.S. Diplomatic Courier Service.

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security is the U.S. Department of State’s law enforcement and security arm. The special agents, engineers, and security professionals of the Bureau are responsible for the security of 285 U.S. diplomatic missions around the world. In the United States, Diplomatic Security personnel investigate passport and visa fraud, conduct personnel security investigations, and protect the Secretary of State and high-ranking foreign dignitaries and officials visiting the United States. More information about the U.S. Department of State and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security may be obtained at www.state.gov/m/ds.

Disturbed Woman Lunges at the Pope

Woman Lunges At Pope Benedict. This video depicts a deranged woman lunging at Pope Benedict following Midnight Mass at St. Peter’s during Christmas 2008. Apparently the woman is a psychiatric patient who lunged at the Pope with the intention of biting the Pope on the neck. The woman was quickly taken into custody and held for further observation.

When to Initiate Surveillance Detection in Executive Protection

Surveillance Detection should be a standard and on-going component of executive protection. However there are times when changes to the type of surveillance detection provided a protectee can vary. There are three general criteria which might assist in determining when to implement, or modify surveillance detection coverage used to support executive protection:

Known Threat-Whenever there is a known or specific threat to a protectee, surveillance detection should be implemented and function as a stand-alone element. This is usually manifested by the use of a full-time or mission specific surveillance detection detail.
Impacting Event-An impacting event is any event in which the threat is not directed at your protectee but may nevertheless affect your protectee. For example, whenever a terrorist attack occurs in the proximity (i.e. region or country) to your protectee. The November 2008 Mumbai attacks is one such example. If you had a protectee in India or Pakistan, it would have been appropriate to implement surveillance detection as a protective measure.
Prevention-Surveillance detection can be implemented as a preventative measure in the absence of a specific threat or impacting event. In this case, surveillance detection is implemented as part of the overall threat management process. The objective of preventative surveillance detection is to determine whether any hostile surveillance exists, confirm trend analysis or support the protective intelligence function. While surveillance detection should be a regular part of any protective mission, not every protective detail has the ability to deploy a full-time detail or even a part-time surveillance detail preferring instead to implement surveillance detection within the confines of the existing team. In such cases, surveillance detection is initiated as a separate function albeit on a limited, temporary or random basis using existing resources.
Regardless how and when you implement surveillance detection and what you use to trigger the use of surveillance detection assets or resources, surveillance detection is vital to safeguarding your protectee. Some level of surveillance detection is far better than none at all.

In Mexico, bulletproof vehicles becoming a workplace necessity

Michelle Roberts
ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN ANTONIO, Tex.–The drug violence in Mexico has gotten so bad that booming numbers of Mexican and American professionals are having their cars fitted with armour plates, bulletproof glass and James Bond-style gadgets such as electrified door handles and push-button smokescreens.

Until recently, it was mostly movie stars, business moguls and politicians who took such precautions. But now, industry officials say, the customers include factory owners, doctors, newspaper publishers and others who fear killings, kidnappings and carjackings by drug dealers or people in their debt.The customers "don't have to be very big," said Mark Burton, CEO of International Armoring Corp. of Ogden, Utah. "This becomes almost a necessity."One San Antonio company said it expects a 50 per cent increase in business this year.

The modifications typically cost $80,000 to $100,000, and they are being done not just on limousines, but on Toyotas, Hondas, pickup trucks and SUVs."I feel we need to be in a cocoon that is impenetrable," said a businessman who runs factories in Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and has gotten two Chevrolet Suburbans armoured since October 2007. He spoke on condition of anonymity, saying he fears for his family's safety after one of his sons was the target of a kidnapping attempt.The war between Mexican authorities and the country's cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine cartels has killed 1,000 people so far this year. Police, military officers and civilians from Cancun to Tijuana have been killed as the cartels battle for control of drug-trafficking corridors.

Customers get not only armour plating but tires that will run when flat and bulletproof glass, which bursts into a spider web pattern but won't break. Other customers buy a package that will turn a Ford F-150 pickup or SUV into something out of a Batman movie: A button releases a cloud of white smoke for escaping a pursuing car. If the assailant makes it through that, the driver can release spikes to flatten the pursuer's tires. And, finally, if the attacker makes it to the car, electrified door handles can give him a non-lethal jolt.

Jorge Valencia, who has been working in the security business in Mexico for most of the past two decades, said his company bought its first armour-plated car in the mid-1990s, but it was mostly for extra-cautious politicians.Nowadays, the danger is far greater, he said, noting that many kidnappings are happening in public places."The main streets in Ciudad Juarez have assassinations in the middle of the day," said Valencia, who did not want his company's name to be used for fear of putting his clients in jeopardy.

Pakistan: New Delhi sends 'commandos' to protect embassy

Islamabad, 10 March (AKI) - The Indian government has sent a special unit of trained commandos to Pakistan to protect top diplomats and secure its embassy in Islamabad. There is growing international concern about Pakistan's political instability and a surge in militant attacks, such as the deadly attack that targeted the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore last week.

A senior Indian official revealed on Tuesday that the 16 Indian commandos were transferred to the embassy in Islamabad last month."They will perform VIP security duties after assessing the situation there," N.R. Das, head of India's elite Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), told the media.He said the commandos were in charge of protection of diplomats at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and would now do the same in Pakistan.

The CISF provides security for 269 industrial locations throughout India, including power plants, defence production facilities, airports and oil refineries.The security personnel are trained in commando skills and unarmed combat.Das said the security of the Indian Embassy was handled by the Pakistan government.

Six Pakistani policemen and two civilians were killed when gunmen opened fire on the Sri Lankan cricket team and team officials in Lahore last week. Six members of the Sri Lankan team were also injured in the attack, the first on a national team since the massacre of Israeli athletes by Islamic militants at the Munich Olympics in 1972.

Report: Few 'Crowd Management Tools' at Inauguration

Alison McSherry, Emily Yehle
Roll Call, Inc.
2009 Mar 24

A long-awaited security review of the 56th presidential inauguration was released Monday by the Secret Service, revealing that large crowds and inadequate tools to manage them were among the problems that shut hundreds of ticket holders out of the festivities. The inauguration went down in history books as the largest public gathering in Washington, D.C.'s history - with a total of 1.8 million attendees.

But the event was marred by complaints from those who had received blue and purple tickets - which granted access to the Capitol's West Front - but were refused entry. At one point, officials directed thousands of people into the Third Street tunnel, where they waited fruitlessly for hours in a scene that some have described as chaotic. Hundreds of ticket holders were stuck waiting in line to enter the ticketed area while the inauguration began, while others accepted defeat and returned to their homes or hotels.

In a statement released Monday, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, admits that a lack of "crowd management tools" contributed to shutting out hundreds of ticket holders.

The Secret Service worked with other law enforcement agencies such as the Capitol Police to complete the report, which makes more than a dozen recommendations. Among them: List a Web site and toll-free number on all tickets to provide up-to-date information; put up better signage; install informational kiosks; and create a Crowd Management Subcommittee. Many of the recommendations focus on ways to ensure that only ticket holders stand in line for the inauguration's ticketed sections. Many of the problems at Obama's inauguration arose because officers had to sort through thousands of people who didn't have tickets, according to a summary of the report.

As for the stagnant line in the Third Street tunnel, the report attributes that problem to the absence of signs or barricades prohibiting people from entering the tunnel and a limited law enforcement presence in the tunnel. It also confirms that several officers directed people into the northbound tunnel to "ease a dangerous overcrowding situation." The report suggests the JCCIC and the Presidential Inaugural Committee help with crowd management by using volunteers to pre-screen tickets and help visitors with directions. In the past, law enforcement agencies have taken on the full responsibility.

Feinstein acknowledged the disappointment of those who were barred from the event, saying, "While this review cannot change what happened, and may not satisfy all of those who were shut out of the event, it does provide a good assessment of both the successes and deficiencies of the planning for 2009." In the days after the inauguration, as more and more complaints surfaced from ticket holders, several Members got involved in the brouhaha and penned letters of frustration.

In one such letter sent to Feinstein in January, Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) wrote, "My office has received many calls and emails from constituents expressing their disappointment and heartbreak over not being able to witness this momentous occasion. And to be clear, these are individuals who did everything they were supposed to do." Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) echoed this sentiment. He wrote: "This was a failure in planning and organization and one that must be explained. Why was there no form of crowd control in the ticketed screening areas?"

In a statement released by his office, Van Hollen commended Feinstein for commissioning the report and acknowledging any wrongdoing on Inauguration Day. Now, he said, he is looking to the next swearing-in. "We cannot [undo] the past, and I understand the frustration and anger many still have for how they were treated, which was totally inappropriate," he said in a statement released by his office. "My hope and expectation is that all of the law enforcement agencies involved will study this report, learn from it and work to ensure that this type of breakdown never happens again."

A Democratic JCCIC aide said that the committee had not received any feedback on the report from Members, but that the report had not been widely circulated by press time. The report will be addressed at a joint hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittees on Homeland Security and the Legislative Branch slated for 2 p.m. Wednesday

Blackwater founder Prince steps down as CEO

Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater who used an auto parts inheritance to build the security firm into one of the world's most respected—and reviled—defense companies in the world, said Monday he has stepped aside as chief executive. Prince appointed a new president and chief operating officer in a management shake-up he said was part of the company's "continued reorganization and self-improvement." It comes just a couple weeks after changing its name to Xe, pronounced like the letter "z," in an effort to repair its severely tarnished name and reputation.

"As many of you know, because we focus on continually improving our business that Xe is in the process of a comprehensive restructuring," Prince wrote in a note to employees and clients. "It is with pride in our many accomplishments and confidence in Xe's future that I announce my resignation as the company's Chief Executive Officer." Joseph Yorio, recently a vice president at DHL and a former Army special forces officer, will serve as president, replacing retiring executive Gary Jackson. Danielle Esposito, who has worked within Xe for nearly 10 years, will be the new chief operating officer and executive vice president.

Prince, who will retain his position as chairman of the company but remove himself from the day-to-day operations, founded Blackwater in 1997, initially to provide training to law enforcement and military. But after Sept. 11, the bombing of the USS Cole and the start of the Iraq War, the company built a large presence in providing private security. The company's lucrative contract to protect U.S. diplomats in Iraq comprises about one-third of Xe's revenues, but the State Department announced it would not rehire the firm after its current contract with the company expires in May. The company has one other major security contract, details of which are classified.

Prince said in a January interview that losing the contract would be damaging. "It would hurt us," Prince said at the time. "It would not be a mortal blow, but it would hurt us." That said, executives have long bemoaned that the work in Iraq has cost the company. A 2007 shooting in Nisoor Square involving Blackwater guards drew outrage from politicians in Baghdad and Washington and demands that the company be banned from operating in Iraq.

Late last year, prosecutors charged five of the company's contractors—but not Blackwater itself—with manslaughter and weapons violations. In January, Iraqi officials said they would not give the company a license to operate. In the meantime, Xe has been expanding into other lines of business. It has built a fleet of 76 aircraft that it has deployed to such hotspots as West Africa and Afghanistan.

The firm continues to expand training for law enforcement, with a renewed focus on international clients. Last year, some 25,000 civilians, law enforcement and military personnel were trained by the company. Prince founded Blackwater with some of his former Navy SEAL colleagues. The company is headquartered in Moyock, about 150 miles northeast of Raleigh.

Secret Service Protection for Bush Daughters Extended

The Washington Post reported that President Obama has extended Secret Service protection for Bush daughters Jenna and Barbara although the length of time for the additional protection has not been disclosed. Under existing rules, children of former presidents are eligible for Secret Service protection until age 16 however the President, has the authority to direct Secret Service coverage as he deems necessary. The justification for the extended Secret Service coverage was not provided.

Small politicans hire security bodyguards in India

By: Sanjeev Devasia and Varun SinghDate: 2009-04-12

IT'S not just headlining politicians who need security, but smaller ones too. In fact, they are taking on safari-clad security guards, bullet-proof vehicles as escorts, and gunmen to protect them. But while the biggies are provided security, the smaller lot has to hire them.

Each guard costs around Rs 30,000. Security agencies who had hoped to make money with the IPL say that they are now being approached by politicians instead. Jocelyn Pereira, general manager, Red Boy Security Private Limited, confirmed this."With the increase in threat, politicians want to play it safe. They want gunmen, escort vehicles and bodyguards for safety. I provide these. Maruti Gypsies give the security convey a good look and feel," he said.

However, an official from a security agency kept it straight. "By having gunmen and safari-suit clad bodyguards, politicians assume the people think them to be great political leaders. Many just show off and it does pay off. However, there are still many who require security after the terror attack."Haji Mohammed Ali Shaikh, a BSP candidate admits he has got boys from his area as security guards and that he gave them safaris to wear. "These boys are ready to give their lives for me. I have asked them to wear safaris because this makes them look powerful. It gives an impact and I do need security," said Haji.

Deepak Monga, deputy manager, Topsline, also confirmed that politicians have approached them for security personnel during elections. "Most politicians demand for the executive protection officer; these are the men who wear safaris and are well-trained. These guards are trained and are of the level of the commandos," he said. IPL shift
With IPL's shift to South Africa, the security agencies are one of the biggest losers. According to Pereira, he was charging Rs 2,000 per day for each security personnel. However, the politicians offer around Rs 30,000 per month per person.

A gunman can earn around Rs 1,000 to 1,500 per day during elections. This amount is about 50 per cent lower than what they would have earned during IPL. "IPL would have ensured us good business, but then the organisers decided to move it on grounds of security. They should have at least consulted us; we would have ensured that there were no issues with security. Even in the last season it was us who provided the maximum security."

Proposed Changes to TSA Regulations to Impact Executive Protection

A Challenge of Trade-Offs

Joseph W. Hemmer, CEO, Aviation Facilities Group, LLC

The ever fluid security demands of aviation travel continue to impact the travelling executive and the security umbrella provided by the executive protection specialist.

All security professionals recognize that there is a trade off of convenience for security. In an attempt to ensure the safe travel and return of many business leaders, as well as the leaders’ families, some companies mandate private airplane use for all business and some private travel.

There is now a call to attempt a balance of convenience for enhanced security protocols in corporate travel due to the increasing use of private aviation. As the vast number of security and safety vulnerabilities and risks associated with commercial air carriers and commercial operators become reduced or mitigated, terrorists and criminals may look across the airfield to the general aviation aircraft as a softer and more attractive target.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced proposed rule changes that will dramatically affect charter and corporate aircraft operations. Effectively, the TSA has proposed that all aircraft become subject to the same security measures now reserved for commercial aircraft. As many of us already realize, in an attempt to ensure the safe travel and return of many business leaders, as well as the leaders’ families, some large public companies mandate private airplane use for all business and some private travel.

Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP)

The multi-page proposal, full of industry anacronyms and references, is nothing short of mind-boggling to anyone not deeply involved in aviation security.In a nutshell and with regards to Executive Protection, the TSA proposal requires:

All charter, corporate and private aircraft owners/operators, with rated take-off weights exceeding 12,500lbs, secure TSA records checks and credentialing for flight crew personnel. This weight base incorporates the majority of executive charter and corporate owned aircraft. Based on the aviation industry’s familiarity with this definition and TSA’s belief that aircraft of this size pose a potential risk, TSA is proposing to require security programs for all operators of aircraft—General Aviation (GA) or otherwise—that have a maximum certificated takeoff weight (MTOW) of over 12,500 pounds, excluding certain governmental operations.

That all flights, including owner/operator private flights, complete formalized passenger manifest for filing with the TSA and that all passengers, be checked against TSA’s “Selectee” and “No-Fly” Lists each time they travel.

A provision is proposed to allow corporate and charter flight operators to implement a Master Passenger List (MPL) for frequent travelers, subject to review and approval of the TSA on a recurring basis, however, the details of how such a program would work are not yet clear.

The proposal would apply the TSA’s List of Prohibited Items to all corporate, charter and private aircraft. Firearms, tools and specialized equipment could no longer be transported within the passenger cabin area.

As with commercial air travel presently, the proposal requires that firearms be turned over at the airport or Fixed Based Operations (FBO) check-in counter for transport either in a “non- accessible” external luggage hold or in a ‘lock-box’ within the crew cabin and under the control of Captain/In-Flight Security Coordinator (ISC).

The proposal also requires that FBO’s such as Signature™ and Landmark™ implement stricter record keeping and reporting requirements, baggage screening procedures and facility security protocols for all private, charter and corporate flights.

Additionally, the TSA through cooperation with the Department of Transportation (DOT) proposes to designate some 320 airports as ‘retriever’ airports subject to additional physical security requirements, specific personnel training, record retention and notification requirements. TSA is proposing to require these additional airports to adopt security programs, because these airports serve aircraft operators that either currently must carry out a security program or would be required to have a security program under the proposed rule.

Implications to EP

The implementation of these rules will require EP personnel to focus more attention and preparation to air travel, even upon one’s own aircraft. Gone are the days of showing up at the FBO, driving through the gates, making plane-side arrivals and departures and direct loading of one’s luggage.

EP personnel will have to ascertain and verify weapon carrying restrictions and understand the security requirements and prohibitions in retaining possession of a weapon while in the cabin of the aircraft, as well as, the procedure for surrendering and retrieving a weapon.

In the future EP personnel are going to have to make a greater cooperative effort with their respective FBO’s in order maintain successful flight operations.

Arrival and Departure procedures are going to have to be better coordinated with FBO personnel with regards to passenger lists, baggage screening procedures, ‘prohibited item’ transport and passenger loading procedures.

Previously exempt corporate and private flight crews are going to be subject to TSA records checks and credentialing. Not all of these crewmembers may be able to secure such credentialing because of the ‘Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) requirements.

In effect, EP personnel who fail to become well versed in the TSA’s regulations and the corresponding changes at their local airports and FBO’s are inviting disaster.

The TSA has recently extended the comment period with regards to the proposed rules change. Many groups, including the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), are formulating a coordinated response to the TSA voicing their concerns.

Additional information is available from the TSA website www.tsa.gov reference 9110-05-P LASP Proposed Rulemaking or the NBAA website and discussion forum at www.nbaa.org.

I encourage all EP personnel, even those that only occasionally use private air travel, to familiarize themselves with these rule changes and discuss their implications with their FBO’s well in advance of EP operations involving air travel.

Joseph Hemmer is the Chief Executive Officer of Aviation Facilities Group, LLC and a former Director of Aviation Security for an international private airline.

Stephen Munn is the Chief Operating Officer of Aviation Facilities Security Group, LLC and a former Special Agent of the Diplomatic Security Service, USDOS.

“How Not To Get Boss-Napped”

The “Boss-napping” trend in France has spurred a new industry which provides advice to executives on how to avoid and prevent becoming a victim of “Boss-napping.” All of this stems from a peculiar French tradition in which laborers resort to kidnapping their “Boss” whenever labor negotiations fail and holding the boss until an agreement can be reached.

It’s a tradition that’s been around for 30 years and is considered an accepted practice in French society. However as more businesses fail and more French workers lose their jobs, boss-napping has increased as of late, putting more executives at risk. Executives who find themselves held hostage by employees are rarely harmed however it’s a crime nonetheless.

Most of the tips coming from consultants who specializing in countering the boss-napping threat are basic personal safety and workplace violence prevention tips combined and common sense such as monitor employee sentiment before labor negotiations, hold negotiations somewhere other than work and carry a pre-programmed cell phone with numbers for family, police and other contacts in the event the executive is threatened or held hostage.

“Boss-napping” might be an accepted practice but regardless what you call it, kidnapping is a crime even in France and acquiescing to such practices only opens the door to a great potential for violence.

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