Professional Bodyguard Association

24/05/2026

https://www.the-pba.com/single-post/close-protection-is-not-tactical-theatre

CQB Is Being Oversold in Bodyguard Training!A screenshot of Canik Spy Ltd’s page shows them marketing executive protection, CPO training, es**rt work, and event security. The imagery leans heavily into the tactical side of the industry: outdoor range-style training, weapons, movement dril...

23/05/2026

https://www.the-pba.com/single-post/preparation-is-the-closest-thing-you-ll-ever-have-to-a-superpower

It’s absolutely key to any close protection operation and here's why.1. Because the real work happens before the principal shows up: Most people think CP is about being physically close to the principal: walking them through the lobby, sitting behind them in the car, standing at the side of the ro...

07/05/2026

A security training provider displaying an NCAGE number or EU PIC on advertising or course certificates to make themselves look “official” or “government-approved” is misleading you.

Let’s be clear about what these numbers actually mean.

An NCAGE Code is a five-character administrative reference number used in NATO-related procurement systems. It helps identify an organisation for filing and invoicing purposes. It is not a certification. It is not an endorsement. It does not prove the organisation has worked with NATO.

An EU or UN PIC is simply a Participant Identification Code used for online portals, such as EU grant or procurement applications. It is basically a login identity for administrative systems.

These numbers are easy to obtain, cost nothing, and involve no meaningful vetting of training standards. There is no audit of course quality, instructor competence, operational credibility, or industry relevance.

You could register a lemonade stand and obtain one of these codes. That does not make your lemonade “NATO-approved.”

If you present a certificate covered in NCAGE or PIC references for a serious contract, whether HECPO, PMC, or similar security work, any competent hiring manager will recognise the problem immediately.
It shows the training provider either does not understand the industry or is deliberately trying to inflate their credibility.

If a provider needs to use a procurement filing number to look prestigious, that usually says more about the weakness of their training than the strength of their credentials.

28/04/2026

That’s a wrap on our first CP Refresher Training course.

In all honesty, the training itself went well. The real challenge was not the delivery, the learners, or the standard of instruction — it was the sheer volume of paperwork required by the AO, along with having to video just about everything.

Why the paperwork cannot be streamlined so excellent trainers can focus on what the course is really about is anyone’s guess.

What I’d give to go back to the days when Close Protection qualifications were certified by Edexcel, City & Guilds, or Buckinghamshire New University.

Before 2010, UK Close Protection training had a very different feel. It was still professional, structured, and standards-driven, but many will remember it as being far more practical, more instructor-led, and focused on developing capable operators rather than satisfying endless audit trails.

The big shift came in the mid-2000s as the SIA licensing regime became established. Before then, much depended on the credibility of the training provider, the background and experience of the instructors, and whether the course was recognised by respected awarding bodies.

For Close Protection, those old names still carry weight.

The fundamentals were drilled properly: foot formations, embus and debus, route planning, advance work, venue recces, threat and risk assessments, communication, residential security, client etiquette, team roles, convoy procedures, incident response, and command and control under pressure.

The better courses did not just teach people to pass assessment criteria. They taught students to think, act, and operate as part of a professional protection team.

That is probably what many old-school instructors miss most. The focus was on judgement, discipline, standards, mindset, and operational capability. Yes, paperwork existed, but it never felt like the course was built around it.

The modern system has brought standardisation and regulation, and there is value in that. But many would argue it has also brought far more box-ticking, evidence gathering, and restrictions on instructors who simply want to focus on what Close Protection training should really be about: producing capable, confident, and professional operators.

Rant over — for those of you concerned about my mental health, I’m fine… just about!

29/03/2026

Teaching defensive driving to close protection operatives in vehicles they are unlikely to use operationally, such as small passenger cars, is a false economy. While compact cars may be cheaper to hire for training, the savings are outweighed by the fact that they do not replicate the handling, weight, braking distance, visibility, acceleration, or turning characteristics of the larger SUVs and executive saloons commonly used in protection work. Training is only valuable when it reflects operational reality. If it does not, it can create confidence without competence.

A close protection driver is not simply learning how to move a vehicle from one place to another. They are learning how to manage risk under pressure, protect passengers, read the road early, position the vehicle decisively, and respond smoothly to threats or disruptions. Those skills are inseparable from the platform being driven.

A small car reacts very differently from a heavier protection vehicle, especially when loaded with passengers, equipment, and luggage. Braking points, cornering behaviour, lane positioning, mirror use, and recovery from sudden manoeuvres all change with vehicle size and mass. A trainee who learns these techniques in the wrong vehicle may develop habits that are ineffective, or even dangerous, when transferred to the real one.

There is also a serious issue of operational mindset. Protective driving is built around precision, restraint, and familiarity with the working vehicle. If the training environment feels artificial, the instruction risks becoming a generic advanced driving course rather than mission-specific preparation.

That weakens the standard of the training and can mislead both the student and the employer into believing a capability has been achieved when it has not. In security work, that gap between training and reality can have immediate consequences.

Using inappropriate vehicles also undermines credibility. Clients, teams, and employers expect close protection drivers to be trained in conditions that resemble real deployments.

A course run in small hire cars may be cheaper on paper, but it suggests that convenience has been placed above standards. In a field where judgement, professionalism, and risk management are central, that is a poor message to send.

Ultimately, defensive driving instruction for close protection operatives should mirror the vehicles they are expected to drive in the real world. Cost matters, but suitability matters more.

Saving money at the training stage by using small cars may reduce the hire bill, but it increases the risk of poor skill transfer, bad habits, and operational failure. In this context, cheaper is not smarter; it is simply inappropriate.

24/03/2026

Hi everyone,

I just want to explain why ongoing learning is important, particularly in security services and pre-hospital emergency care, and why the SIA requires refresher training every three years for all licence holders, whether you are a Close Protection Operative, Door Supervisor, CCTV Operator, or Security Officer.

In these professions, learning to do the job properly is not optional. It is essential. It is not just about gaining qualifications or completing training courses. It is about being prepared to act when lives may depend on it.

People working in security and emergency care face situations that are often unpredictable, stressful, and fast-moving. A security professional may need to respond immediately to a serious threat.

A first aider may arrive at an emergency and have only moments to assess the situation and begin life-saving treatment.

In moments like these, there is no time to hesitate. There is only time to act. And the ability to act with confidence and professionalism comes from learning.

Learning matters because the world is constantly changing. Threats evolve, technology improves, and procedures develop. To stay effective, professionals must continue learning so their knowledge and skills remain current.

But learning is not only about technical ability. It also helps people build confidence, resilience, communication, and teamwork. These qualities are vital when working under pressure and supporting people in difficult and vulnerable situations.

Learning also benefits the wider community. When professionals are well trained, they work more effectively, make better decisions, and provide a higher standard of care and protection. This builds trust and helps keep people safe.

The journey of learning never truly ends. In professions where the consequences of mistakes can be serious, continuous learning is a responsibility.

So, why does learning matter?
It matters because it builds confidence.
It matters because it strengthens professionalism.
It matters because it protects communities.
And most importantly, it matters because lives matter.

My name is Craig Knowles of the Professional Bodyguard Association and I thank you for listening.

23/03/2026

Too many people in South Africa are choosing a Qualsafe L3 FREC course offered at ZAR 6,000 by one particular company because it ticks a box and keeps them contract-compliant.

Let’s call it what it is: the cheap option.

That might look fine on paper, but paper qualifications do not save lives when things go catastrophically wrong — and in this line of work, they will. This is exactly why prehospital emergency care training exists in the first place.

If you are preparing for deployment to Iraq or other austere environments, this matters even more. These are not controlled settings. These are high-risk, high-pressure environments where poor training is exposed very quickly, and the consequences can be fatal.

If your course does not include blast and ballistic care, then you are not being properly prepared. You are being sold short.

The QNUK L3 FPOSI may cost more, but it delivers training that reflects the realities of operational deployment. When the worst happens, nobody cares how much money you saved on your course.

The real question is simple: what price do you put on saving a life?

22/03/2026

The next SIA refresher course is scheduled to run at our newly refurbished centre in Liverpool during the week of 20 to 24 April for both DS and CP Refresher qualifications.
To book your place, please visit the website (see below)
https://www.securitymedics.com/sia-refresher-training

19/02/2026

24/01/2026

📢 Training Provider Announcement: Mandatory SIA Refresher Training for all Close Protection Operatives (Effective 01/04/2026)
To all Close Protection Operatives (CPOs) and employers.
Please be advised that SIA Refresher Training will become mandatory for all Close Protection Operatives as part of the licence renewal (relicensing) process, effective from: 01 April 2026
From this date onward, any applicant seeking to renew a Close Protection licence will be required to have successfully completed the relevant SIA-approved Close Protection Refresher Training prior to submitting their renewal application.
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Who this applies to
This requirement applies to:
• Individuals currently holding an SIA Close Protection licence
• Operatives whose licence expires and who intend to renew on or after 01/04/2026
• Operatives returning to the sector who require relicensing
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Action required
To avoid delays to your licence renewal, we strongly recommend that you:
✅ Check your licence expiry date
✅ Book your refresher training early (limited course availability)
✅ Ensure your training is completed with an approved provider in advance of relicensing
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Our Refresher Training Availability
We will be running SIA Close Protection Refresher Training courses with regular intakes and limited spaces.
📅 Upcoming dates: Courses will be run every fortnight, subject to minimum quotas being met.
To enquire or book:
📩 Message us directly via Facebook
📞 Call/WhatsApp: Chris Doyle | +44 7801 388960 or Gavin Richardson | +44 7968 750094
🌐 Website/booking link: https://www.pbagroup.com/
📍 Location(s): 166b Townsend Lane, Clubmoor, Liverpool L13 9DN, United Kingdom
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Important reminder
If you intend to renew your SIA Close Protection licence on or after 01/04/2026, failure to complete the required refresher training may prevent your application from being processed.
Thank you for your continued professionalism and commitment to industry standards.