What is a bodyguard protecting the client against
What a bodyguard is specifically protecting a client from is different for every client. Depending on the social status, career, age, gender and many other factors, a bodyguard will be looking out for a number of different threats. It is essential that they familiarize themselves with all possible situations. If they know what to look for, they will rarely be surprised. Like the clich? says, bodyguards must, “Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”
A celebrity like a movie star or singer faces several problematic issues with being in the public eye. Because the paparazzi are constantly swarming, it is difficult to get even one moment alone. Many employ bodyguards simply to help keep the press out of their face for a little while. Photographers are sneaky and will attempt every possible tactic to score a few photos of the celebrity sunning herself on the back patio or taking their child to the zoo. A bodyguard must know how to spot paparazzi, even those under cover, and guide their client from the line of flash fire.
There is a dangerous side to fame, and many celebrities have experienced the brunt of it. Stalking is officially illegal, if you can prove that’s what is happening. Many stalkers go unnoticed for long periods of time before ever making themselves known. If a celebrity is lucky, the stalker will shower the with fan mail and even go to extreme measures just to meet them. However, it becomes a bodyguard’s business when a stalker begins sending the celebrity and their family threatening letters and even phone calls.
Staking is a very real problem in Hollywood, especially with the internet and constant photographers and reporters supplying up-to-the-minute news on your favorite celebrity. Many celebrities, male and female have seen the harsh reality of a fan turned deadly. A bodyguard must be aware at all times for anyone that may look suspicious, or someone they seem to see in public a lot, in the same areas as their client. It only takes a moment for a crazed fan to draw a gun and cause serious or fatal harm to a celebrity or their family.
Other bodyguards that are not in the celebrity business, but more in the executive sector still have similar threats to look out for. The CEO of a company can be an unpopular person, especially if the company is “restructuring”, calling for thousands of lay-offs nationwide. The best way to earn a lot of enemies very quickly is to trim back the budget of a multimillion dollar corporation. For this reason, executives may need bodyguards to escort them to and from work, meetings and even social gatherings. You never know when a revenge seeking former employee may decide cross the line.
CEOs and executives may also need bodyguard for the simplest reason that most people do: they have a lot of money and there are people that want to take it. Imagine if Bill Gates went walking down the street by himself, without bodyguards or escorts. It would have to be a very safe and secure area for someone not to try to get to his wallet, car keys, even his phone for all of the famous numbers that may be in it. Regardless of who the client is, the threat of living in the public eye, controlling large amounts of money and often making difficult decisions that affect thousands of people can give a bodyguard more than a few things to watch out for.
Source: http://www.positivearticles.com/blog