1st Veterans Security LLC offers a variety of private security services which include executive protection and personal protection (e.g. "bodyguard") services or contracts to protect private individuals, politicians, VIPs, celebrities, and business executives. In this article, we discuss some of the primary factors that determine the final cost of a personal protection (e.g. "bodyguard") contract.
If you are in need of personal protection or executive protection security services, contact our Business Development team for a free consultation.
Introduction
There are countless reasons why a Client may contact a security firm, like 1st Veterans Security LLC, for executive protection or personal protection (e.g. "bodyguard") services. However, the common element we see in requests from private and corporate clients is the desire for safety and "peace of mind." This desire for "peace of mind" is why all personal protection officers (PPOs) at 1st Veterans Security LLC are trained and certified in excess of local, state, and federal regulations in the necessary skillsets of personal close protection. Remember, a personal protection officer (PPO) is more than just a licensed uniformed security officer or an individual with a firearms permit.
What is a Personal Protection Officer (PPO)?
A personal protection officer (e.g. "bodyguard") is an industry term defined by Texas Occupations Code Title 10 Chapter 1702 Sec 202 which states "an individual acts as a personal protection officer if the individual, while carrying a firearm, provides to another individual personal protection from bodily harm." In Texas, all PPOs must be licensed as a Level IV security officer with the Texas Department of Public Safety before conducting close protection operations. Every state or country has their own specific definition and pre-requisites to become a licensed PPO, but this definition from Texas does a great job summarizing the basics.
PPOs must be licensed, insured, and properly trained to legally protect a Client. Remember, a personal protection officer (PPO) is more than just a licensed security officer or an individual with a firearms permit.
Do not fall victim to an un-licensed security company offering un-trained or un-licensed "bodyguards!"
Protect yourself from liability and fraud by always checking that the security company and the PPO maintain active licenses in the state, security specific insurance certificates to protect from liability, and training pertinent to executive and close protection.
. At 1st Veterans Security, LLC, PPOs are required to have professional experience in special operations, law enforcement, or high-risk private security (PMC) prior to applying to 1st Veterans Security LLC. After joining our team, PPOs are then provided the local, state, and federal training requirements to get the legally required certifications. Then, these PPOs are further tested in their protection skillset by attending our in-house 1st Veterans Security LLC executive protection school.
When you contract 1st Veterans Security LLC for personal close protection or executive protection, you can be assured that the PPO protecting you or your family is adequately trained, licensed, and insured to mitigate risk and defend you from the threat. We take your peace of mind and security extremely seriously.
Generating a Quote
Bodyguard services and executive protection operations can be costly given an extreme or actionable threat to the Client, but 1st Veterans Security LLC works diligently to make our private security services affordable to everyone. In most cases, there is not a specific threat and the Client can easily afford to obtain a Personal Protection Officer (PPO) for their security concerns.
However, prior to a personal protection quote being generated, every competent security firm will perform a threat assessment by asking the Client some questions. This threat assessment is important in order to generate an accurate quote with effective protection. It will also determine how many PPOs are necessary, what supplementary threats could exist, and how best to protect the Client at a minimum cost. It is important that the Client is honest in describing their security concerns.
Primary Cost Drivers of a PPO Contract
Existing Risk or Threat Profile Against the Client
Length of Contract
Location of Contract
Other Cost Factors to Consider
Other costs included as a fractional percentage to the Client are often associated with the ongoing local and state requirements for licensure in executive protection. Usually this line item is referred to as "Training or Administrative Cost." The Client may never understand the total pre-work that the PPO has completed in training and licensure to legally and effectively provide personal security. These costs will not be paid in total by one Client, but will be divided amongst all PPO contracts that year as a fraction to each Client and will usually include:
Special Insurance for Security Companies and Personal Protection Officers
Federal, State, Local Taxes
Required Psych Evaluation (MMPI-2)
State Mandated Security and PPO - Training (Levels 2,3,4)
State Mandated Security and PPO - Licensing (Levels 2,3,4)
Firearms Permits (pistol, shotgun, rifle)
Medical & Trauma Training
Tactical Driving
Advanced Personal Protection Officer Specific Training
Continuing Education
Special Equipment
More...
It is incredibly important that the Client choose a competent security firm that is experienced in personal security and not just take the cheapest quote.
If the Client is concerned about safety or liability, you want a professional personal protection officer from a reliable security firm and not just the random security officer.
Many bodyguards only secure the basic minimum training and licenses for becoming a bodyguard or Personal Protection Officer. This could be as simple as taking a 30-hour course and getting a state license with no experience. When your life is at risk, these minimal, in-experienced bodyguards are NOT the team you want protecting you, your family, or your business.
1st Veterans Security LLC does NOT live by minimum standards in security, especially when it comes to executive protection operations.
Internal standards at 1st Veterans Security LLC far exceed the state regulatory requirements and are more in line with standards seen on Federal Security Contracts overseas. We know this because most of our Personal Protection Officers have worked on low-profile, high-risk close protection contracts overseas.
Generating a General Quote
Now that we have explained that each PPO contract is specific to the Client and driven by the Client's threat assessment, we can now make some assumptions and generate a quote.
The PPO team 1st Veterans Security LLC provides to its Clients is considered a Tier-1 security element. Because of this professional experience and skillset, 1st Veterans Security LLC will not compete with the cheapest or "online guard course" bodyguards that offer fraudulent services at a minimum.
1st Veterans Security LLC usually deploys a PPO team which includes a minimum of two licensed and trained personal protection officers. Typically, the Client can expect to pay in the range of $250-$500 per hour with a certain minimum hour duration for a PPO contract. Each contract is custom built, but this general contract will include two Personal Protection Officers and a vehicle to transport the Client throughout the contract length. The Business Development team at 1st Veterans Security LLC works with each Client to minimize costs and provide peace of mind. If you have questions, contact our team for a free consultation.