Thread: Executive/Dignitary Protection

My department is looking at starting an executive/dignitary protection unit because of the increasingly regular visits of these types of folks to our campus (2 former presidents for graduation last spring, republican debate a few weeks ago, etc...). We've been looking into training for the officers that will be assigned to the unit, but most of what we're finding is done by private companies (and very expensive!).

I'm looking to see if anyone knows of any government run training schools for this type of activity. Obviously I know the USSS has training in this area, but I don't know if they have anything for local police to go through. I've looked at the FLETC website, but didn't see anything that seemed to fit the bill.

In the event that there is a lack of government training, are there any particular private training companies that anyone recommends?

Any help will be appreciated! Thanks!

The Diplomatic Security Service occassionally offers training to state and local law enforcement agencies that support us on protective assignments. This is normally coordinated through the nearest field office. If you would like more information, just hit me up via PM.

Geo

FLETC's Protective Service Operations Training Program (PSOTP) might fit the bill, but I don't believe it's offered very frequently.

As politically inexpedient as it might be this week, Blackwater does a number of protective operations courses.

Originally Posted by DennisNJ

FLETC's Protective Service Operations Training Program (PSOTP) might fit the bill, but I don't believe it's offered very frequently.

That's a brand new course that has only been run once, maybe twice. It's an evolving program that is good in some areas, not so good in others, and missing some key aspects entirely. It should get better over time, but was designed by and for Cabinet level protection details (minus USSS and DS), and the biggest obstacle will be getting a seat in the class since priority is those agencies. I can think of a few other protection detail training programs, but don't know any that open up to outside agencies. USCP may run its own dignitary protection course, as does USMS and a few other agencies, but I don't know of any that are open to outside agencies or non-Feds.

You might want to reach out to whoever protects the Governor in your state, as they are usually well connected to other states and may have suggestions for training if they do not run a course themselves.

I'll second DennisNJ's suggestion about Blackwater. I have heard very good things about their protective services training from people who already had a lot of training and experience in that field.

[QUOTE=DennisNJ;479089]FLETC's Protective Service Operations Training Program (PSOTP) might fit the bill, but I don't believe it's offered very frequently.
[QUOTE]

They've been trying to run this class at FLETC North outside of DC. You might check FLETC Cheltenhams website and see if it is offered anytime soon. They were having trouble getting the classes going.

I know for a fact that our field office put several campus police officers through a course within the last couple of years.

I went through our dignitary protection course a few years ago. -- PM me and I'll give you the number for our Intelligence Division , Executive Protection liaison guy. -- On a side note; we protect foreign and U.S. heads of state, hand in hand with USSS -- foreign cabinet level folks hand in hand with the State Dept -- lower level folks on our own. --- I can tell ya 100% that we host folks in our various training courses from all over the world daily. -- My last few courses had cops from Germany, Italy, Canada, Washington State, etc...

Here is a manual the USSS put out a time back, it is a good starting point and reference.

http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/170612.pdf

Here's more detail about the Protective Service Operations In-Service Training Program (PSOITP) from FLETC's web site:

http://www.fletc.gov/training/progra...am-psoitp/view

There's a list of training dates at the bottom of the page.