Bodyguard services Overseas

In an increasingly complex global landscape, the need for Bodyguard within international deployments has become paramount not just for the prevention of K’n’R situations or local street-based conflict de-escalation but for major and more important risk mitigation strategies. These highly skilled Bodyguards play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of groups of employees travelling abroad with the intent or mission to carry out on behalf of their company, often with little to no consideration for their safety during their travel. It isn’t that your employees or staff are operating in high-risk environments every day.  But for the times when things head south and there is an imminent risk to their lives and safety, are you going to be able to hand on your heart state to the board when the investigation starts that you provided them with every protection they needed?

This article explores the importance of having an embedded security specialist and shares a real-life incident that highlights the critical nature of their role.

 

The Role of your bodyguard services: 

Our bodyguard specialists bring specialised knowledge and expertise to international deployments through years of training with government agencies, private enterprises and field-based deployments and experiential learning. All of these qualities are acquired in the same way your key business staff acquire them and you value the playmakers, salesmen, techs and other roles you deploy overseas, so it would be foolish not to protect them with someone of similar countenance in the security space. A correctly chosen professional in Security and Risk Management possesses a deep understanding of the unique challenges and risks associated with operating in unfamiliar territories it’s what makes them so agile and confident in their decision-making. Their presence within the team enables proactive risk mitigation, and effective crisis management, and ensures the overall well-being of personnel. 

Calm is contagious – is a proverbial expression used to highlight the concept and importance of emotional regulation and the impact it can have in creating harmony during a hellish event.

Real-Life Incident: Whilst operating in one of Australia’s closest neighbouring countries in 2018, I was tasked with Securing a Media Team who were moving large commercial equipment around the capital in order to broadcast the event from Port Moresby during APEC 2018 whilst coming to the conclusion of the task our team faced a significant security challenge where reports emerged of rioting. 

The 2018 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG) was marked by an unfortunate incident involving local security services. A dispute over unpaid wages led to a riot by local police and security personnel.

Leading up to the APEC summit, the PNG government had recruited local police and security forces to provide security for the high-profile international event, promising them an allowance for their services. However, after the summit ended, many of these personnel reported they had not received the promised payment. Frustration over this perceived breach of the agreement led to civil unrest.

In response to this, a group of security personnel stormed the PNG Parliament building in Port Moresby, causing damage to cars and property. The government responded by stating that the allowances would be paid and appealed for calm and patience.

This incident drew international attention to the challenges that PNG was facing in hosting such a major event critically because a number of key political figures were attacked during the demonstration. Despite the incident, the APEC summit itself proceeded without interruption, with world leaders discussing various economic and policy issues relevant to the Asia-Pacific region.

When it all occurred I was tasked with securing a team of media professionals accommodated on the top floor of a docked cruise ship turned hotel which in and of itself had a very minimal security footprint which would have been easily overcome by any motivated force. In the midst of the unfolding events, a convoy of military vehicles unexpectedly arrived near the ship, creating a tense situation for everyone involved.

The Crucial Role of Bodyguard Services: 

In this scenario, as an embedded security specialist it was my responsibility to swiftly assess the situation and initiate immediate actions to protect the team. A combination of situational awareness and an understanding of local dynamics allowed me to make informed decisions. Managing a response to coordinate with local authorities, establishing communication protocols, and implementing enhanced security measures to ensure the safety of the media team was a critical moment of requirement where Mr Remington’s advice could not have been more apt. 

Why you might ask? Because as the reports went worldwide of the breakdown in security and the attack on Parliament House the team’s phones blew up with requests for information on their safety and welfare and I was directly linked back to the Global HQ for the team’s company and able to reassure them of the situation and the efforts that were underway to protect their staff. It was this shining moment of clarity that the leadership of the company were able to embrace that truly emphasises the value of having an embedded operative with your team.

Lessons Learned and the Importance of Preparedness: 

This incident reinforces the critical need for an embedded security specialist within international deployments. Their presence allows for real-time risk assessment, rapid decision-making, and effective coordination with local authorities. The ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances and implement timely security measures is essential for maintaining the safety and well-being of all personnel involved.

Having a security specialist within a team might not always seem as though it is absolutely a requirement, right up until it is and that is when your previous approach to the planning and having a proactive mindset to safeguarding personnel, assets, and operations will be of the highest value. The incident in Port Moresby serves as a reminder of the vital role these specialists play in ensuring the security and success of missions. By leveraging their expertise, organisations can mitigate risks, enhance preparedness, and maintain a safe environment for their teams.

Reference: 

Reuters. (2018, November 16). Papua New Guinea tightens security for APEC summit. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apec-summit-unrest-idUSKCN1NP0B3