Close Protection Principles & Threat Assessment Flashcards

What is an 'ambush' in a CP context and how should the team respond?

Answer: A planned attack on the principal's vehicle or movement; respond by accelerating through, reversing or protecting and extracting the principal

A vehicle ambush involves a planned attack on the motorcade; the driver's first response is to ram through or reverse out; the CP team protects the principal and effects immediate extraction.

What is 'area familiarisation' and why is it important?

Answer: Learning the layout, key landmarks, hospitals and exit routes in an operational area to enable rapid response

Knowing an area thoroughly — hospitals, police stations, exit routes, choke points — allows the CP team to react quickly and effectively to emergencies without losing time navigating.

What is 'deception' as a protective measure?

Answer: Using decoy vehicles, false itineraries or alternate routes to confuse anyone planning an attack

Deceptive measures — decoy vehicles, alternate routes, false schedules — make it harder for an adversary to predict the principal's movements, disrupting attack planning.

What information should be included in a 'daily protection plan' (DPP)?

Answer: Schedule, locations, transportation details, risk assessment, communication plan and emergency procedures

The DPP is the operational blueprint for the day, covering every movement, associated risks, vehicles and comms plan; it allows all team members to operate with a shared understanding of the plan.

What is 'situational command' in a CP operation?

Answer: The CPO who is immediately with the principal assumes command in a fast-moving incident

In a fast-moving incident the CPO closest to the principal takes immediate command of protective actions; the team leader resumes command once the situation allows coordination.

Which document provides the legal authority for a CPO to carry out close protection work in the UK?

Answer: SIA Close Protection licence

A person must hold a valid SIA Close Protection licence to work legally as a CPO in the UK; any other category of SIA licence does not cover this type of work.