What it takes to be a bodyguard in Los Angeles

Hiring bodyguards aka executive protections means you’re not hiring standard issue security officers. When you’re answering phones for a security company, you’ll often get inquiries about “security services.” Naturally, you’re follow-up will be to ask what type of security they’re looking for, and more often than not, you’ll hear, “type of security? Isn’t security just security?” For those in the industry, the question is laughable, but even for guards who are just starting out or looking to up their game, the reality is that not all security is equal.

Executive protection agents, otherwise known as bodyguards, are the most elite in the business. PoliceOne.com put it best: “Threats against high-profile persons—whether a witness, a judge, a politician, a CEO or a celebrity—require the officers protecting them to have a specific set of skills.” Because of this daunting task — protecting people with targets on their heads — a high-level of training is mandatory.

Becoming a bodyguard requires knowledge of security, experience in the field, consistent training and refresher courses to be up-to-date, and the ability to risk your life for someone when necessary. Take Clint Hill as an example of this dedication. Bodyguard to former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, he recently opened up about the day President Kennedy was killed, revealing that he wishes to this day that he had been able to take the bullet for the president. That is the dedication required of bodyguards.

When thinking about today’s celebrity figures, it’s hard to imagine many of them without a bodyguard in close proximity. Articles showing off scantily clad bodies and lavish lifestyle are often sprawled around the internet (like this one from The Sun). Some in the industry have made their way up to the top elite, like Keith Schiller, long-time bodyguard to now-President Donald Trump. Because of his close ties and the trust he earned with the Trump family, he has been given a position to oversee Oval Office operations and personal security! The reality is bodyguards play an important role in protecting their clients.

At AEGIS, we believe the best bodyguards are men and women who are skilled in identifying potential risks and hazards before they happen, putting countermeasures in place to ensure incidents are averted. A thorough advance and threat assessment creates actionable, environmental intelligence. This, coupled with good planning, pre-determined primary and secondary protocols, and skill in reacting with a clear mind, means both the bodyguard and the client will be able to respond in 99.9% of scenarios.

Executive protection agents have a unique set of skills that qualify them to work closely with a client. For a start, most bodyguards who work for AEGIS have advanced training from either military or law enforcement backgrounds. They have schooling at one of the nation’s top bodyguard training schools. Additionally, these agents have more years of experience in the field, including loss prevention and threat assessment that goes beyond a general site post.

Our services include:

  • Advanced evaluation, vulnerability, and threat assessments
  • Private investigations including bug sweeps, business intelligence, and harassment mitigation
  • Armed/Unarmed security experts and off duty/retired police officers available
  • Mobile, stationary, and close protection escort security teams
  • Route establishment and contingency planning
  • Fully retained security consulting services
  • Visible deterrence against threats
  • Ingress and egress facilitation

AEGIS Security & Investigations is a Los Angeles security company that is licensed and insured in the State of California to provide high-end armed and unarmed regular and temporary off-duty police officers, bodyguards, security officers, loss prevention agents, and event staff. Additionally, we offer services for private investigation, consultation, people tracing, and background investigation. Our trainings and workshops in the field of security licensure and counter-terrorism have been featured in news media and are renowned for their efficacy. For more information or to contact us, visit www.aegis.com.

Authors: Chelsea Turner & Jeff Zisner