Surveillance Detection 
Chief  Training Consultant 
Pete Dordal

Five days of Special Ops Protection Program students is focused on the introduction of basic concepts and building blocks of Protective Operations.  Instructional time ratio between classroom theory and immediate reaction drills and pro-active measures is 1:10.  Emphasis of training is live action exercises and team operations. The course will cover the following:

• Protective Operations Orientation
• Low Profile Protective Details in High Risk Zones
• Threat Assessment
• Advance Operations
• Personal Security Detail Operations
• Protective Intelligence
• Protective Driving
• Protective Shooting
• Special Protective Issues
• Performance Evaluation

The course will begin with an overview of the requirements, duties and responsibilities of a Protection Agent in High Risk environments, including a summary of State Department Protocols for Personal Security Details (PSD).  Students are introduced to the Philosophy and History of Protection, reviewing the ways that events in high risk regions of the world have changed tactics and protective operations in the profession.  

Case studies of specific assaults and assassinations will be used to illustrate learning points.   From the understanding of the operational procedures of enemy tactics, the principles of protection simultaneously evolve and remain constant.  Universal protective principles of Cover & Evacuate, Advances, Threat Assessment and Surveillance Detection are taught as constants, but adapting to the tactics of terrorists and the changing needs of the principal. 

Students learn the importance of route selection, accurate intelligence and analysis. Emphasis is placed is on methods and strategy to prevent attacks on the Principal or the Team. However, the student will become proficient in the skills necessary to defend against organized assaults, Attacks on Principal (AOP) Drills, Cover and Evacuation and apply AOP Drills in simulated urban ranges.   Lessons include: 

• The Threat, Types and Case Studies 
• Principal Vulnerability Assessment
• The Protective Operational Plan
• Principal Briefing

Threat Assessment is the collection and analysis of information that constitutes Intelligence, or information that can be acted upon in protective operations.  This Module addresses the art of conducting Protective Advances for single-agent and multi-agent details.  Pre-Departure Preparations, Site Surveys, Reports and Presentations will be discussed and demonstrated. Students will perform Advances in live urban environment, and learn how the entire protective mission relies on the thoroughness of the Advance, accurate intelligence and pro-active measures.

Beginning with the Principles of Protection, this Module covers a wide range of activities and operational skills required on a Protection Detail. The Majority of protective job-specific skills are taught here.  Students learn via lecture and discussion, then reinforced learning via a series of practical exercises. Lessons include:

• Counter- Surveillance
• Formations / Working the Principal
• Assault on Principal (AOP)
• Security Posts
• Command Posts
• Identification
• Communications
• Control Tactics
• Protective Equipment

Technological advances have broadened the Protective Agents' capability to effectively use Security Equipment in support of the protective mission.  Instruction is provided in a format that allows the student to obtain a basic understanding of how the technical hardware operates, and where each system can be best employed during Protective Operations. Conducting a proper explosives search of buildings, areas and vehicles is thoroughly demonstrated.  Lessons include:

• Contingency Planning / Managing Major Events
• Special Mission Posts
• Technical Surveillance & Countermeasures
• Physical Security
• Bomb Threat Planning / Bomb Incident Management
• Explosives Recognition / Explosives Search
• Improvised Roadside Bomb Attacks
• Suicide Car Bombs

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Students are evaluated in each skill area taught, using a variety of techniques, including practical application exercises and written examinations.  These include:

• Advance Exercise
• Formations Exercise
• Attack on Principal (AOP) Exercise
• Driving Exercise 
• Shooting Exercise
• Immediate Reaction Drills (IRD)
• Final Training Exercise (FTX)
• Written Examination
• Instructor Performance Appraisal

Resident Training Hours: 50

SENIOR INSTRUCTORS
Pete Dordal & Mike Grey (pseudonym) 
Joe Bannon
Rich Kluck
Sheldon Maxwell