SIA Close Protection

CTR Services limited is an Approved Contractor for Close Protection Services as well as being an Approved training provider of the Licensed Close Protection course through Buckinghamshire New University (BNU). This means that we are able to employ 15% of our workforce who have not yet received the license and are awaiting its delivery. As previously mentioned as members of the SIA steering committee CTR services aided in the development of the national occupational standards bellow.

In order to obtain an SIA licence you will need to show that you are trained to the right level. This applies to front-line staff only.

Course Content

Knowledge and Practical Skills Training (minimum 150 hours)

Introduction to the Roles and Responsibilities of the Close Protection Operative

     - Threat and Risk Assessment

     - Surveillance Awareness

     - Operational Planning

     - Law and Legislation

     - Interpersonal Skills

     - Close Protection Teamwork

     - Reconnaissance

     - Close Protection Foot Techniques

     - Route Selection

     - Use of Close Protection Vehicle Techniques

     - Search Procedures

     - Incidents and Dilemmas

     - Venue-Based Security

     - Communication and Conflict Management Skills

When applying for your licence you will be required to produce evidence that you have attained a recognised first aid award. The First aid awards recognised by the SIA are:

     - First Aid at Work - 4 day course (HSE approved)

     - First Person on Scene (FPOS) Intermediate Award - 30 hours (Edexcel / IHCD)

Exemption and Part-exemption Arrangements

If you already have some form of formal close protection training it may mean that you are exempt from all or part of the SIA approved training. Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) are as follows:

1. Close Protection operatives who have previously received formal close protection training and are currently employed in an operational close protection role should present themselves to an approved Training Centre with evidence of the training they have received. Depending on the date and content of the training they have taken and to what extent the training covered the learning objectives of the new Close Protection course for licensing, they will be directed to take either the full 150 hours full Close Protection Course or the 24 hour Guided Learning Hours Refresher Course.

2. Candidates who have completed formal close protection training from the organisations listed below and have remained in an operational close protection role, will be exempt from further training but will be required to take the knowledge test and a practical skills assessment.

     - Special Air Service regiment Body Guard Course

     - Royal Military Police Close Protection Course

     - Metropolitan Police Royalty Protection/Special Branch Close Protection Course

     - Police National Close Protection Courses including Northern Ireland

     - Nemesis Group Close Protection Course

     - Phoenix Close Protection Course

Please note: It is important to ensure that training remains current. Therefore, qualifications allowing exemption from the SIA approved training must be no more than three years old, except where otherwise stated.

It is strongly recommended that candidates who present themselves for assessment only should consider attending a 24 hour Refresher Course. Those who have trained in either a police or military environment may find the terminology and procedures to be different in a civilian context and this would give them the best opportunity of passing the assessment.