I never thought much about cell phones as a significant component of executive protection but I came across this article at Forbes.com which made me reconsider how the right type of cell phone can really help executive protection and bodyguards.

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“They would kill him,” said British Nobel Prize winner Doris Lessing when commenting on what she believed would happen if Barack Obama won the U.S. elections. Ms. Kessing made her remarks during an interview with a Swedish newspaper over the weekend.

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The reverberations against private security contractors (PSCs) continues on Capital Hill. on Thursday February 28th, Senator Hillary Clinton announced her intention to co-sponsor legislation to “Ban Use of Private Security Contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan.” You can visit her website for the specific press release.

We’re a long way away from any substantiative change with PSCs in Iraq and elsewhere but there’s no doubt that significant change is in the wind for PSCs. Readers of this blog will note that I questioned the long term use of PSCs last year. I have nothing against PSCs or those who work with them. I look at it from a pure economic standpoint. PSC were never intended to be long term solutions. Unfortunately the security situation in Iraq and Afghanistan continues to be precarious and as such still requires the use of PSCs.

Continue reading "Legislation to Ban Private Security Contractors Introduced" »

According to an article in the Washington Post, Senator McCain has rejected Secret Service protection despite the fact as the GOP candidate he is entitled to it. Is this a questionable decision by McCain? After I read his comments, I have to say I wonder about his rational for doing us and whether he really understands either the role, capabilities and functions of the Secret Service or the threats that he faces.

Senator McCain is basing his decision on the lack of a threat stating that “The day that the Secret Service can assure me that if we’re driving in
the motorcade and there’s a guy in a rooftop with a rifle, that they
can stop that guy, then I’ll say fine,” he said. “But the day they tell
me, ‘Well, we can’t guarantee it,’ then fine, I’ll take my chances.”

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The Director of Secret Service Mark Sullivan told the House Appropriations Committee last week that the Secret Service is feelings the strains of unprecedented demands as a result of this year’s presidential campaign. The demands are largely the result of having to provide protection for two high profile presidential candidates, Senators Clinton and Obama. Senator Clinton was receiving Secret Service protection prior to the election by virtue of her position as the former First Lady. Senator Obama started receiving Secret Service earlier than most candidates in response to purported threats against him. We need only look at Pakistan and Benazir Bhutto to recognize the importance of protecting the integrity of our electoral process by protecting the presidential candidates. Senator McCain, as the de facto Republican candidate has declined Secret Service protection so far.

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Greetings,

It has been sometime since my last posting. So I thought I should take a minute and reconnect with everyone. Over the winter months I have been extremely busy with work. And as you guessed it, we’re in the busy season. As most of you know, Minneapolis is playing host to the Republican National Convention in September. Needless to say things have been extremely hectic around here.

Continue reading "Reconnecting...." »

Deadly Restraints
A common liability issue involving bouncers has been the use of restraints and control holds to remove or subdue a patron. Bouncers have used various forms of headlocks and choke holds on disruptive customers and caused serious head and neck injuries, asphyxiation, and even death. Handcuffs have been inappropriately applied and in doing so caused broken arms, dislocated shoulders, and have cut off circulation to hands causing permanent damage.

Nightclub patrons have died from positional asphyxiation after being handcuffed from behind and then laid face down on the floor or from other bouncers piling on top. You can't breathe very well in that position especially if the victim is overweight. In most cases the offending bouncers were discovered to have no formal training or experience using handcuffs or control holds and weren’t told about positional asphyxiation. Watching the Worldwide Wrestling Federation or Extreme Fighting on TV is not considered proper training in use of force for nightclub bouncers or security personnel.

Continue reading "Nightclub Training Part 3" »

Job Requirements
The very nature of a bouncer’s job is to be confrontational and serious incidents can develop if mishandled. Before being turned loose into a disagreement between customers, bouncers need to have had training and preferably prior experience. When hiring a bouncer you must look for someone with the proper attitude and demeanor. You don’t want someone who is hot-headed or likes to fight. Thorough pre-employment screening is necessary to determine an applicant’s suitability for the job. For liability reasons, ex-felons should not be employed or anyone with a history of violence. The physical aspect is only one attribute essential for the job. Bouncers need to learn how to approach people in a non-threatening and professional manner. They need to learn about criminal and civil law applicable to use force against another and their power to arrest. Bouncers must also be taught about the limits of their authority and the amount of force that can be lawfully and safely applied.

Continue reading "Nightclub Security Training Part 2" »

Nightclub bouncers and doormen have been known to physically eject obnoxious patrons with such force that they have suffered serious injury or occasionally a death. It always makes me wonder what led up to this violence and if excessive force was necessary? As a general rule, a bouncer should never lay hands on a nightclub patron, except in a self-defense or arrest situation. If you think about it, what other business type has to use bouncers to bodily eject paying customers into the street?

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According to a UPI report, security at an Obama campaign stop was relaxed yesterday at the instructions of the Secret Service. Dallas Deputy Police Chief T.W. Lawrence stated that the Secret Service ordered the Dallas PD not to check bags in order to speed up access and seating at the event. Needless to say, members of the Dallas PD had reservations about the instructions from the Secret Service but nevertheless, adhered to the order.

Continue reading "Secret Service Reportedly Eases Security at Obama Speech" »