Mail Bomb Plot

The recent "mail bomb" plot that was uncovered this past week brings to the forefront an issue most businesses, houses of worship and high net worth individuals don't think much about. That issue is security as it relates to their mail/package handling process.

Let's be really frank...most businesses simply take in their daily mail and deliveries, open them, distribute them accordingly and move on to other tasks. And that's exactly the type of target a terrorist (domestic or international) might prey upon. It's what's called a soft target.

On the other hand, hard targets are those who put into place measures that are designed to mitigate issues arising from a mail or package bomb, or bio-weapon. Terrorists generally bypass hard target and move on to a softer target to exploit.

Here are some things to look for to help identify potential problems with your incoming mail and/or packages:

(1) Lack of a return address

(2) Poorly written and/or misspelled words

(3) Unsolicited letters/packages from foreign countries

(4) Presence of excessive postage

(5) Presence of wiring

(6) Presence of oil stains

(7) Presence of unusual odors

If you suspect a letter or package of containing an explosive or bio-weapon, immediately leave the item where it is...evacuate the immediate area...notify the police.

If your company or entity is in need of a review of your current mail security policies and procedures, or if you need to establish such a plan, please contact Doug Runyon at (800) 270-8343 ext. 711 or by email at: drunyon@dignitaryprotectiongroup.com

Campaign Security (revisited)

The recent flap surrounding the "arrest" of a journalist in Alaska by security guards working for Senate Republican candidate Joe Miller has created quite a stir among both security professionals and political campaign directors.

As is often the case when something untoward happens, it would seem that many campaigns are reacting by going to the opposite extreme. Meaning they are doing without security completely.

This can be a very dangerous over-reaction. Cooler heads should prevail and these political organizations should simply do a better job vetting those they contract with for protective services.

Here are some things that should be considered when considering utilizing a private protective security program:

(1) Have threat, vulnerability and risk assessments performed by a professional who is licensed (where applicable), insured, trained and experienced in matters of dignitary and/or executive protection.

(2) Have a professional (same criteria as above) build a custom protection program based on the finding from the assessments.

(3) Contract with a company which is appropriately licensed and insured, and has verifiable experience in providing such services.

(4) Verify everything (licensing, insurance, specialized training, experience, etc..)

If you are a political candidate or represent one in some official capacity, Dignitary Protection Group LLC is available to confidentially discuss your needs and concerns.

For more information contact Doug Runyon at (800) 270-8342 ext. 711, or by email at: drunyon@dignitaryprotectiongroup.com

Ben's "Bodyguards"

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past several weeks, you are already aware of the incident involving Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback (for now) Ben Roethlisberger. He is alleged to have sexually assaulted a 20-year-old college student at a Milledgeville, Georgia nightclub.

Now the fallout from the incident is taking its toll on two police officers. The pair, a Pennsylvania State Trooper and a Coraopilis (PA) officer, have come under scrutiny for working as Big Ben's bodyguards. The officers' respective agencies are claiming they weren't aware, nor did they approve, of their off-duty work as a private bodyguard.

This brings up a much larger issue of police officers working off-duty as private security guards. You have licensing issues...training issues...and ethics issues.

In some states, the officers must be licensed to perform that kind of work. Their status as police officers doesn't exempt them from the professional licensing laws. And in some areas, a police officer's badge isn't a free pass to carry a firearm when providing private security. I won't even venture down the road of individual departmental policies are there are simply too many to consider.

As far as training goes, very few law enforcement officers have formal training in dignitary/executive protection. Sure, they're cops, I get that and respect that, but there are a number of distinct differences between being a cop and providing protective services. Name one you say? Well, the mindset needs to be different. Cops, by their very nature and training, tend to chase down the bad guys and put the cuffs off them. When providing protective services, one can't do that. You have to cover and evacuate your protectee and leave the cuffing and stuffing to someone else.

Finally, the ethics issues can be very complex. Sometimes in the protective services world one will see and hear things that while not necessarily illegal, might be contrary to the values and standards set forth by a law enforcement agency.

My advice: if you need protective services (bodyguard), contact a licensed, insured and trained professional with experience in this discipline.

Pope Attacked...Again

Another attack on Pope Benedict XVI has Vatican security officials reviewing their policies and procedures.

The latest incident happened while the pontiff was leading a Christmas Eve mass at St. Peter's Basilica. An Italian woman allegedly jumped over a barricade and knocked the 82-year-old Pope and a Cardinal to the ground. Luckily, the Pope was uninjured, and the Cardinal only slightly.

While this blog entry isn't intended to question those specifically tasked with the protection of the Pope, I have to wonder how someone who had committed a nearly identical act exactly one year prior would be allowed into a position where she could attempt it again. With the information available at this time, it would seem, at the very least, a breakdown occurred in the protective intelligence phase.

Generically speaking, protective intelligence agents should constantly maintain a file of those who have demonstrated an abnormal interest in, threatened or actually attacked their protectee. Such a file should include descriptions, photographs, known vehicles, and the known whereabouts (when possible) of the suspect. This information should be disseminated to all security personnel so they can work to prevent the subject from gaining access to the protectee.