A private bodyguard is an independent kind of protection officer, security officer, or military service member that guards a specific individual or a small group of individuals – usually high-ranking public figures or members of the law. These officers are hired by private businesses or individuals to provide protection to them or their family members.
A private bodyguard may also be a part of an organized unit, such as the Secret Service. In most cases, these officers work for private companies or in organized units such as the Departments of Defense or the Navy. Private bodyguards are usually hired as part of a company’s armed security force, although this is not always the case, especially now that many businesses are providing bodyguard services on an as-needed or part-time basis.
While there are many situations in which hiring a private bodyguard can be advantageous, there are also many circumstances in which hiring one is considered a negative thing. The most common reason why a business hires an officer of this nature is for providing protection during an event that involves a large number of attendees.
This could be a festival, political rally, trade show, or any other gathering where a large number of people will be entering or leaving the area. In situations like these, hiring armed or heavily armed personnel is usually necessary in order to protect the safety of the attendees and anyone who may be harmed while trying to leave the area.
Another common situation in which an officer of this type is needed is when a private client needs to be escorted from a site or location. Escorting a client around while security details close down is often not only difficult but dangerous, especially if the target is physically weaker or not aware of the fact that he or she is being escorted.
An unarmed security detail will not likely have the skills and training to properly restrain or protect a client and may make the situation worse. An unarmed detail may also be less expensive to hire and may allow the business owner to obtain peace of mind without having to take on a large security detail. For most businesses, however, the cost-effectiveness of a bodyguard and the peace of mind it provides far outweighs the extra expense.