Executive Protection - The View From the Private Security Sector (From Responding to the Terrorist Threat, P 105-114, 1980, Richard H Shultz and Stephen Sloan, eds. - See NCJ-86019)

• NCJ Number: 86024
• Author(s): H Pizer
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: Pergamon Press, Inc
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Methods of protecting corporate executives from terrorist kidnappings are discussed, with emphasis on simple but effective management response guidelines that private security managers can adapt to their own specific circumstances.

Abstract

Private corporations and prominent businessmen are currently major targets for political terrorism, and tend to be much more vulnerable than governments. About half of the seizures of corporate officials have occurred while they were riding in their automobiles to or from work. Another 30 percent occurred immediately outside the executive's home or office. In many cases, the executives were accompanied by either bodyguards or armed escorts. To avoid making kidnapping easy, executives should frequently change their travel routes and daily routines. Special training for the executive or chauffeur in offensive-defensive driving techniques and in the identification of potentially threatening situations is also recommended. The executives and their family members should all be included in security preparation, which should go beyond the provision of technical security equipment. Private security managers should also address the issues unique to their situation and should have detailed contingency plans for dealing with the breakdown of security procedures and the kidnapping of a corporate representative. Executives should be given behavioral instructions to follow if they are kidnapped. The captive should avoid any verbal clashes with the captors. Other recommended measures are to accept all favors offered by the hostage-takers, to try to get to know them as individuals, and to remain alert for signs of outside rescue efforts. Security managers should notify the appropriate officials and law enforcement agencies, should establish plans for negotiations, and make tentative plans for payment of the ransom demanded by the terrorist. Six reference notes and appendixes presenting specific guidelines for captives and security managers are included.