Close Protection Officer

CURO HELP Close Protection Officer - Security with Discretion and Confidence

Our Close Protection Officer (CPO) services are designed exclusively for High-Net-Worth Individuals and VIP clients who expect nothing less than excellence. We provide world-class personal security with the utmost discretion, seamlessly integrated into your lifestyle to ensure peace of mind wherever you are — at home, in transit, or abroad.

Personal Security

Unobtrusive yet vigilant 24/7 protection for clients and families
Discreet escort services for business, travel, and social occasions
Immediate and professional response to any potential threat

Risk Assessment & Threat Management

Confidential, in-depth risk audits tailored to individual profiles
Advance reconnaissance of venues, residences, and travel routes
Security strategies crafted for maximum protection with minimal intrusion

Seamless Travel & Secure Logistics

Executive security drivers with advanced defensive driving expertise
Discreet coordination with private jets, yachts, and luxury vehicles
Meticulous travel planning with contingency routes and security protocols

Residential & Family Protection

Confidential estate security and access control
Highly trained professionals safeguarding family members, including children
Integrated lifestyle protection with discretion at the forefront

Discretion Above All

Operatives who blend effortlessly into high-profile environments
Low-visibility presence, maintaining your privacy and reputation
Security that enhances, never disrupts, your lifestyle

Medical & Crisis Preparedness

Officers trained in advanced trauma care and emergency response
Crisis management and evacuation strategies delivered with calm precision

Specialist Capabilities

Counter-surveillance and intelligence services
Cybersecurity liaison to protect digital footprints alongside physical security
Global coordination with trusted local and international partners

Why Clients Choose Us

Absolute Discretion: Your privacy is sacred.
Bespoke Protection: Security designed around your world, your needs, your pace.
Global Assurance: Consistent excellence — whether in London, New York, Dubai, or beyond.
Elite Professionals: Drawn from military, police, and elite security backgrounds with proven track records.

For a confidential discussion and tailored protection package, contact our Close Protection team today.

Your security is our craft. Your lifestyle, uninterrupted.

Types of Close Protection Officers

Personal/Executive Protection Officer (Lead CPO)

Primary bodyguard, always by the client’s side.
Ensures immediate safety in daily activities, travel, and social settings.
Balances visible protection with discretion.

Protective Driver / Security Chauffeur

Provides secure, discreet transportation.
Expert in defensive and evasive driving.
Ensures safe transit between residences, airports, meetings, and events.

Advance Security Officer (Advance Party)

Arrives ahead of the client to inspect hotels, venues, restaurants, and routes.
Identifies risks and coordinates secure entry/exit strategies.
Essential for high-profile events and international travel.

Protective Surveillance Officer

Operates discreetly at a distance, blending into the environment.
Monitors for potential threats without drawing attention.
Adds a layer of invisible security when low profile is required.

Counter-Surveillance Specialist

Detects and disrupts hostile surveillance (paparazzi, stalkers, or criminal elements).
Works with intelligence and technology teams.
Ensures the client is not being tracked or targeted.

Residential Protection Officer

Provides 24/7 security at estates, penthouses, or vacation properties.
Manages access control, perimeter checks, and visitor screening.
Protects family members and assets when the client is away.

Family/Child Protection Specialist

Focused on the safety of spouses and children.
Trained to work sensitively within family dynamics.
Offers discreet, reassuring security without disrupting daily routines.

High-Threat Specialist (Hostile Environments)

Deployed when clients travel to regions with high risks (terrorism, kidnapping, political instability).
Equipped with tactical training, crisis response, and sometimes firearms (jurisdiction permitting).
Often paired with international risk management teams.

Corporate/Business Security Officer

Protects executives during board meetings, investor events, or international business trips.
Skilled at maintaining a professional, low-disruption presence in formal environments.

Lifestyle/Entertainment CPO

Works with celebrities, athletes, or public figures.
Handles crowd control, fan interactions, and event appearances.
Ensures seamless movement through red carpets, stadiums, and public spaces.

For UHNW and VIP clients, security is usually a layered team effort:

Lead CPO + Driver + Advance Officer form the core.
Additional specialists (residential, counter-surveillance, family) are added depending on the lifestyle and risk profile.

Duties of a Close Protection Officer

Personal Safety & Escorting

Provide constant, discreet protection to clients in public and private settings.
Escort clients during travel, business, social, or leisure activities.
Maintain safe distances and protective positioning to deter and neutralize threats.

Threat & Risk Assessment

Identify potential risks in advance (venues, routes, events, interactions).
Conduct ongoing situational awareness and dynamic risk assessments.
Advise clients on potential threats and security best practices.

Route & Venue Planning

Plan and secure safe travel routes, including alternatives.
Conduct reconnaissance of destinations before client arrival.
Establish secure entry/exit points at events, hotels, airports, and residences.

Surveillance & Counter-Surveillance

Monitor surroundings to detect suspicious behavior.
Deploy protective surveillance when a low-profile approach is required.
Work with counter-surveillance teams to disrupt tracking or stalking.

Secure Transportation

Drive clients with advanced defensive and evasive driving techniques.
Coordinate with chauffeurs, private aviation, or yacht crews.
Ensure vehicles are checked and secured before use.

Residential Security

Protect private estates, penthouses, or temporary residences.
Control access points, screen visitors, and monitor perimeters.
Safeguard family members and assets when the principal is away.

Emergency Response & Medical Duties

Respond quickly to physical threats or crises.
Administer first aid or trauma care in case of injury.
Coordinate evacuation or extraction during emergencies.

Discretion & Confidentiality

Blend seamlessly into high-profile environments.
Protect not only physical safety but also the privacy and reputation of the client.
Maintain strict confidentiality about personal, business, and family matters.

Family & Child Protection

Extend protection to spouses, children, and close relatives.
Adapt methods to minimize disruption to family life.
Provide reassurance and stability alongside security.

Liaison & Coordination

Work with local law enforcement, event organizers, and international security teams.
Coordinate with other specialists (cybersecurity, residential staff, pilots, drivers).
Ensure seamless, global coverage of protection.

In short: a CPO’s duty is not just to shield from physical threats, but to plan, anticipate, and discreetly manage risk so the client can live without disruption.

Skills of a Close Protection Officer

Situational Awareness

Ability to observe, assess, and anticipate risks in any environment.
Reading body language, crowd dynamics, and potential threats before they escalate.

Risk Assessment & Planning

Conducting detailed threat assessments and security audits.
Planning secure routes, event entry/exit strategies, and emergency contingencies.

Defensive & Evasive Driving

Professional-level driving skills for safe and discreet transportation.
Trained in evasive maneuvers to counter hostile situations.

Physical Protection & Self-Defense

Hand-to-hand combat, restraint, and control techniques.
Ability to shield and extract the client from high-risk environments.

Medical & First Aid Skills

Certified in first aid, trauma care, and CPR.
Capable of providing immediate life-saving assistance before medical teams arrive.

Surveillance & Counter-Surveillance

Skilled in discreet observation and protective surveillance.
Detecting and neutralizing hostile surveillance or stalking.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Clear, calm, and professional communication with clients, families, and staff.
Strong coordination with law enforcement, security teams, and event personnel.
Ability to remain polite and composed under stress.

Discretion & Confidentiality

Absolute respect for client privacy and sensitive information.
Ability to blend into high-profile environments without drawing attention.

Decision-Making Under Pressure

Quick thinking in emergencies to protect and evacuate the client.
Balancing assertiveness with discretion.

Cultural Awareness & Adaptability

Sensitivity to international customs, etiquette, and VIP lifestyle expectations.
Adapting to varied environments — from corporate boardrooms to red-carpet events.

For UHNW and VIP clients, the soft skills (discretion, cultural awareness, communication) are just as vital as tactical expertise — because the role is about preserving lifestyle and reputation as much as ensuring safety.

Close Protection Officer Qualifications

Licensing & Certification (by Country/Region)

UK: Security Industry Authority (SIA Close Protection License) is mandatory.
US: Requirements vary by state; often involves concealed carry permits, state security licensing, and specialized training.
EU & Middle East: Different jurisdictions may require Ministry of Interior approval, private security licenses, or host-nation authorizations.

Close Protection Training Courses

Accredited CPO training covering:
- Risk assessment & threat analysis
- Protective escort techniques
- Surveillance & counter-surveillance
- Conflict management & restraint techniques
- Law and use of force regulations

First Aid & Medical Qualifications

Mandatory: First Aid at Work (FAW) or equivalent.
Preferred/Elite Level:
- FPOSi (First Person on Scene – Intermediate)
- FREC (First Response Emergency Care)
- Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) for high-threat environments

Defensive & Evasive Driving Certification

Specialized training in secure and evasive driving.
Often delivered by military/security driving schools.

Firearms Training (Jurisdiction Dependent)

In some regions, firearms licensing and advanced weapons training are essential.
Must comply with local laws regarding armed protection.

Surveillance & Counter-Surveillance Training

Covert observation, tail detection, and counter-surveillance drills.
Intelligence gathering to identify and neutralize threats.

Professional Background

Many CPOs come from military, law enforcement, or government security agencies.
Specialist experience in intelligence, counter-terrorism, or special forces is highly valued.

Soft Skills Development

Communication, cultural awareness, and diplomacy training.
Etiquette in high-profile and international settings.
Languages and cross-cultural skills for global assignments.

Ongoing Professional Development

Regular refresher courses to maintain licensing.
Advanced modules in cybersecurity, kidnap prevention, or crisis management.
Participation in professional bodies (e.g., ASIS International, BBA).

In summary: A top-tier CPO combines formal qualifications (SIA, first aid, driving, surveillance) with a professional background (military, police, or intelligence) and soft skills (discretion, diplomacy, cultural awareness) tailored to UHNW and VIP lifestyles.

Close Protection Officer: Live-In vs Live-Out

Live-In Close Protection Officer

Residence: Lives within the client’s estate or on the property.
Advantages:
- Immediate 24/7 response in case of emergencies.
- Continuous oversight of estate security.
- Strong familiarity with family routines, property layout, and staff.
Best for:
- Clients requiring constant, on-site protection.
- Families with children who need ongoing safeguarding.
- Isolated estates or properties in higher-risk areas.

Live-Out Close Protection Officer

Residence: Resides off-site and reports to duty per schedule.
Advantages:
- Greater privacy for the family during personal time.
- More flexible staffing model (rotational schedules, multiple CPOs).
- Easier for managing multiple estates or global travel assignments.
Best for:
- Clients who prefer a lower-profile security presence.
- Households where privacy is a priority.
- Families with a team-based security model (e.g., rotational coverage).

Summary:

Live-In CPOs offer constant, on-site protection and faster response but may reduce privacy.
Live-Out CPOs provide flexibility and discretion but may require more structured schedules or larger teams.