EP Wired is a stage for everyone, aiming to highlight and amplify industry voices. We always strive to remain neutral while allowing our authors and industry leaders to speak their minds and share their expertise. In his latest article, Kevin Dye, a security professional and retired U.S. Secret Service supervisor, shares his thoughts on the attempted assassination of former U.S. president Donald Trump and how the roles of private protectors and the U.S. Secret Service differ.

Unless you’ve been in a coma for the last month, you are probably aware of the attempted assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.  The ensuing commentary online by many self-anointed “experts’ brought to light the extreme divide in education and experience regarding protective operations by many in this field, but specifically in the private sector. 

While most professionals understand the differences between private sector security and the Secret Service, the general public often conflates private security with federal protection services due to visual similarities, such as personnel wearing suits and earpieces. This oversimplification fails to recognize the specialized training and critical responsibilities of U.S. Secret Service agents, who must respond to threats in real-time, without the ability to defend their actions against uninformed criticism. 

The public’s thirst for information in the hours and days following the attempted assassination generated comments from every conceivable level of the security industry, from bus drivers and computer security experts to intelligence professionals. Overnight, those with little to no protective operations experience or training were suddenly commenting publicly on everything from ballistics to specific protective operations tactics employed by the agents of the U.S. Secret Service. 

When these “experts” were asked for specifics, however, most retreated behind their keyboards or were publicly corrected after giving incorrect information in response. Media coverage of this event has led to sensationalized reporting that does not accurately reflect the complexities of security operations.

Misinformation can arise when individuals lacking relevant expertise offer opinions on tactics and strategies employed by professionals. This not only misrepresents the realities faced by protective agents but also undermines the public’s understanding of their critical roles. To say the media coverage surrounding the event was surreal would be an understatement. 

Unfortunately, we live in the “now” news cycle, and much of what was said or printed will be forgotten tomorrow for the next news story or crisis. Comments by these self-proclaimed experts will also be forgotten, or at least they hope so.   

It is important to understand upfront that the brave agents on that stage are not permitted to respond to the unbelievably misdirected criticism that they received on social media following their heroic actions. 

Every one of them deserves respect for their quick, selfless, and decisive actions which saved the former President and countless others. History will remember these agents as doing the right thing while pundits in the coulda-shoulda-woulda crowd will be forgotten, and rightfully so.    

It has been said that behind every blade of grass is a critic.  I would just add that some yards look better than others for a reason.  This extreme protective educational divide is currently being addressed by the Board of Executive Protection Professionals (BEPP) and it could not have happened at a more poignant time. 

While many of the industry’s “thought leaders” have smartly remained silent on the issue of the attack, some have made grave errors by exposing their limited understanding of basic executive protection principles. 

While I won’t be discussing the details of the attack in this short article, I’m sure by the time it is posted, much of the information discussed here will shed some light on the public misconceptions related to the attack. The intent of this short article is to address the differences between private and government protection without disclosing methods and means.    

Scope of Responsibility 

Private Protection Companies: Understanding the depth and coverage of private executive protection professionals is important in the conversation of knowledge and understanding.  Private protection companies operate under state-specific regulations that require licensure and adherence to local laws.

This localized approach provides companies with the flexibility to tailor their services according to client needs in the market in which they work, yet it also results in variances in training standards and operational procedures. As noted, many private firms may not have standardized protocols, leading to inconsistencies in protective measures. 

Private security companies often protect their clients from various threats such as physical harm, kidnapping, and stalking. The scope of their work can vary greatly depending on the client’s needs and resources, from simple personal bodyguard services to comprehensive security plans for events or residences. 

The forces that shape the protective coverage of private clients range greatly but usually include the “threat” to the protectee, the environment they are in, and the financial resources needed to effectively protect them. ALL PROTECTION IS BASED ON THREAT.  While some choose to limit security resources, the threat remains.  If a client chooses to go cheap, the risk increases significantly. 

As an executive protection professional, you may operate in a team environment or work alone depending on the circumstances.  There are also distinct differences in Corporate and Contract executive protection staff.

While the threat to most civilians may be considered low by government standards, executive protection professionals must still manage and mitigate known and unknown risks with the available resources given to them.  The coverage provided to most corporate and contract EP teams is low.  Teams vary, but a full complement of protectors is rarely seen and is typically limited to the ultra-wealthy.   

Secret Service: In contrast, the Secret Service operates under federal law, specifically 18 U.S.C. § 3056, which mandates strict adherence to structured protocols. This federal oversight ensures a high level of accountability and uniformity in protective operations, particularly during significant national events.

The U.S. Secret Service has the dual mission of protecting national leaders and investigating crimes related to financial fraud, electronic crimes and counterfeiting. Its primary protection focus is on the President, Vice President, their families, and other designated individuals including key White House staff.

The Secret Service also physically secures the White House, the Vice President’s residence, and other significant national events, such as inaugurations, diplomatic summits, and the Olympics. Former Presidents and their spouses also receive protection for life. The agency has been in existence since 1865 and has evolved significantly over its history to become the international premier protection agency. 

Almost every international protection program models their protective coverage after U.S. Secret Service coverage. With substantial resources, the agency routinely covers numerous protectees and candidates for the office of the President and Vice President. As a candidate, former President Trump also received protection from the Secret Service before his appointment to the Presidency because of the 1968 assassination of Senator Robert Kennedy.   

Training and Expertise 

Private Protection Companies: Training for private protection personnel varies widely based on the training company and state it’s provided. Many private bodyguards and executive protection professionals initially enter the industry with military or law enforcement backgrounds, bringing a wealth of tactical experience.

Training programs may include self-defense, firearms proficiency, tactical and protective driving, and first aid. However, the depth and rigor of training can differ significantly between companies. Most private training “academies” follow the guidelines for the minimum standards for the state they operate in. 

Additionally, since most students are paying for this training, most students graduate courses regardless of their personal performance.  State certifications do not currently transfer between states, so training often includes a mix of quasi–Secret Service and State Department methodology as it is known to the trainer. 

These tactics are often wrong because they are copied without the foundational understanding of why they are being completed in the first place.  Surprisingly, within the private training sector, there are even online courses for EP which offer certificates to graduates.   

The industry is rife with certificate mill trainers offering no real skills while charging thousands of dollars for each course. Unlike government training, which is continuous and builds on skills, private training is often a “One and Done” unless the practitioner pushes themselves to continue. 

With inconsistencies in training based on the state standards and the specific company providing the curricula, many graduating executive protection practitioners are unfamiliar with standardized protective operations terminology, operational practices and needed protection skills.  Interviewers for executive protection positions are quick to identify this type of training during the interview process.   

Not all training in the private sector lacks quality.  Some specialized training courses like VDI protective driving training and REI technical security and countermeasures (TSCM) training lead the industry in cutting-edge technology and are often incorporated by government agencies into their own training programs.   

With a clear need for private sector protection professionals to respond appropriately to a given threat, the inappropriate reactions of many of these professionals have also been very visible on numerous public online forums. 

Unlike the U.S. Secret Service which has a zero-fail mission, the nominal public interest is placed on these private EP blunders because it is assumed that the EP personnel involved do not have the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate complex protective operational coverage. 

With low expectations comes low interest. While the industry often judges its mistakes quietly, most mistakes get a pass from peers publicly because having your competition fail benefits most private contractors competing for the next contract. You get what you pay for, however, and most seek out the lowest contracted bid or flashiest website regardless of training and experience.   

Secret Service: The U.S. Secret Service is a federal law enforcement agency with a federal mandate that includes the protection of the President and other high-profile individuals. Agents undergo extensive training that encompasses a wide range of skills, including threat assessment, defensive tactics, and emergency response protocols. In contrast, private sector security personnel may not have the same level of training or access to resources, which can lead to a significant disparity in their operational capabilities.

Agents of the Secret Service are forefront of the public’s view as the national and world’s premier protective agency. Agents undergo training at the highest level of federal standards and have one of the most restrictive hiring policies in Federal service. 

Unlike their civilian counterparts who pay to play, to be employed, agents must pass numerous written exams, interviews, medical screening, extensive background checks and the government’s toughest polygraph examination which routinely lasts up to 6 hours.  Additionally, the number of accepted agents to the agency is restricted and extremely low in comparison to other federal agencies. The FBI for example employs over 10,000 agents, while the U.S. Secret Service employs approximately 3,000 worldwide.   

If an agent recruit successfully passes the stringent initial hiring requirements, they are slotted for their initial training courses which last several months. New Secret Service recruits complete the longest training of any federal agency (including the FBI) by attending and completing the CITP (Criminal Investigator Training Program) course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) followed by specialized career training at the Secret Service’s James J. Rowley Training Center (JJRTC).

Secret Service training at JJRTC is difficult and includes detailed and practical advanced instruction in physical protection, protective advance, firearms training in a multitude of weapons systems, emergency medicine, and numerous other specialized protection skills. The physical training throughout training is continuous and prepares agents for the rigorous lifestyle of their chosen profession. 

The level of expected expertise and personal preparedness is exceptionally high, given the critical nature of the agency’s protective duties.  As you progress through your career, it is expected that agents complete progressively more difficult training for the needs of the agency. Training is consistent and part of the historical culture of the agency.   

Operational Differences 

Private Protection Companies: Operations of private protection companies are client-specific and tailored to meet their individual needs under contract or by board charter at most companies. These contract companies must also operate within the localized legal frameworks established by state licensure, but they often enjoy greater flexibility in their protective methods because states are not standardized.

Private protection companies often utilize publicly available technology and may rely on personalized strategies due to their client-centric business model. It’s important to note that the efficacy of such methods can vary significantly based on available resources, which are often limited.  

It is not uncommon in the private EP sector to employ personal protective coverage with very limited resources and staffing. There are also significant differences in the protective operations community between contractors and corporate employees.

Regardless of the sector you work in, many services are contracted out to meet the needs of localized legal considerations and transportation needs while travelling nationally and internationally. Contracted staffing may or may not operate under the same expectations as the employer regarding protective coverage and response to threats. 

While reputation is key in the industry, many bolster their reputations with unrealistic and often misleading social media advertising. If you expect your protection team to get out of a truck with an M4 platform and skinny jeans, you’re only half right. The key to selecting the best coverage is through professional vetting with trusted providers. 

It never hurts to Google the name of the company and key stakeholders as well.  Shockingly, there are even unlicensed people in the private sector working illegally and those with criminal records participating in EP coverage. Due diligence is recommended in the selection of personal protection in all cases.   

Secret Service: The U.S. Secret Service operates under a structured framework established by federal law, which provides the legal justification for their methods and procedures for protective operations.

These protocols are informed by over 159 years of experience and data analysis, allowing for a level of preparedness that may not be replicated in the private sector, where practices can vary widely based on the organization’s policies and the security personnel’s individual experiences. 

The Secret Service’s operations are comprehensive, encompassing advance planning, real-time intelligence and protection monitoring, and rapid response capabilities to any threat against their protectees. 

The operational tempo of the Secret Service stands as a unique hallmark with other protection agencies in the international protection community. In 2022 alone, the agency provided incident-free protective coverage during 4,867 visits (a non-campaign year) domestically and internationally. 

During campaign years, that number is significantly higher. The agency also has the unique honor of having its personal credentials read “Worthy of Trust and Confidence.” This is a point of honor for agents who understand their solemn duty.     

Resource Allocation 

Private Protection Companies: Private firms operate on a for-profit basis, and their resources depend on their financial health and client contracts. Larger companies may have significant resources, including state-of-the-art technology and highly trained personnel, but smaller firms might be more limited.

Working in these limited resource situations forces teams to be creative in their coverage and resource allocation. It is not uncommon for a protectee to be covered publicly by one protector with contract supporting roles for driving and other coverage.   

Secret Service: The Secret Service is funded by the federal government, which provides substantial resources to fulfill its mission. This includes cutting-edge advanced technology, state-of-the-art equipment, and a large workforce of agents and support staff. The agency’s extensive resources enable it to handle high-risk scenarios and provide unparalleled protection to national leaders across the globe. 

Legal Authority 

Private Protection Companies: Private security personnel do not have the same legal authority as law enforcement officers and in most cases are limited to the laws provided to every citizen. They must operate within the bounds of the law, without the power to make arrests, conduct investigations and carry a firearm. Their authority is also limited to the scope of their contractual agreements and the jurisdictions in which they operate. 

Secret Service: Secret Service agents are sworn federal law enforcement officers with broad legal authority to enforce laws, make arrests, and conduct investigations. This is often critically called the “magic badge” by their private protector counterparts who do not enjoy the same benefits. A Special Agent’s powers extend across state lines and some international borders, allowing them to pursue threats wherever they may arise. This legal authority is crucial for the comprehensive protection of national leaders.   

Conclusion 

While both private protection companies and the Secret Service aim to ensure the safety of their protectees, the differences in their scope of responsibility, training, operations, resources, and legal authority are stark.

Private protection companies offer flexible, client-specific services, whereas the Secret Service provides highly specialized, federally mandated protection for the nation’s leadership. When protection “experts” provide commentary on the Secret Service and their protective coverage, it is important to understand these differences and to provide context to those who are responding and listening.   

Without knowledge, discussions are speculative and based on assumptions rather than facts. While open discussions can still be valuable for exploring ideas, sharing perspectives, and even providing solutions, it’s important to acknowledge the limitations of discussing topics without accurate information or a grounded protective operations background. A lack of knowledge can also lead to misinformation, misunderstandings, and the propagation of false or misleading ideas. This has been the case this week.     

To have meaningful and productive discussions, it is essential to seek reliable sources of information, conduct accurate research, and verify the accuracy of claims by those making them. There have been an unbelievable number of false claims and speculations associated with the assassination attempt of the former president but promoting critical thinking, fact-checking, and evidence-based reasoning can help ensure that discussions are grounded in knowledge and facts, leading to more informed and constructive conversations.