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Close Protection CV Example

Present your close protection credentials, threat assessment skills, and experience safeguarding high-profile individuals.

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Key Skills to Include

Close ProtectionThreat AssessmentRoute PlanningSurveillance DetectionFirst AidConflict ResolutionConfidentialityAdvanced Driving

Quick Tips

  • Include your SIA Close Protection licence details and any military or police background.
  • Mention types of principals you have protected without breaching confidentiality.
  • Highlight specialist skills like advanced driving, medical training, or firearms experience.
  • Detail your experience with advance work, route planning, and venue security assessments.

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How to Write Your Close Protection CV

A close protection CV must demonstrate your professional credentials, operational experience, and personal qualities that make you trusted to safeguard individuals. Employers want evidence of your SIA licensing, threat assessment capability, and ability to operate discreetly in diverse environments. Your CV should convey professionalism, reliability, and the combination of physical capability and interpersonal skill that distinguishes excellent CPOs.

CV Structure

Lead with a strong profile followed by your SIA licence details, work experience, skills, and qualifications. Military or police service should be presented as professional experience. Describe the types of principals protected without naming them, the environments worked in, and your specific responsibilities. Keep to two pages.

CV Format

Choose a clean, authoritative template that conveys professionalism without ostentation. Use clear headings and structured bullet points. Avoid photographs unless specifically requested. The CV should be factual and concise, reflecting the disciplined approach you bring to your professional work.

CV Profile Examples

Experienced Close Protection Officer

SIA-licensed close protection officer with eight years of experience safeguarding corporate executives, diplomats, and high-net-worth individuals across the UK and internationally. Former military with extensive training in threat assessment, surveillance detection, and emergency response. Known for professionalism, discretion, and the ability to operate seamlessly in high-profile social and business environments.

Senior CPO — International Experience

Senior close protection professional with twelve years of experience including six years of overseas assignments across the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Team leader experienced in managing multi-vehicle convoys, coordinating security details, and conducting advance security assessments. Former Royal Military Police with advanced driving, trauma medicine, and hostile environment awareness training.

Close Protection Officer — Corporate Sector

Professionally presented close protection officer specialising in corporate and executive protection within the UK. Five years of experience providing discreet security for FTSE 100 board members, family offices, and visiting international executives. Skilled in event security, residential protection, and travel security planning. Advanced driving licence holder with impeccable personal standards.

State your SIA licence status, years of experience, and the types of principals you have protected. Mention any military or police background and specialist skills such as advanced driving or medical training. Include one key achievement such as incident-free assignments or client commendations.

Key Skills for Your Close Protection CV

Close Protection

Providing personal security for individuals through physical presence, threat mitigation, and emergency response protocols.

Threat Assessment

Evaluating potential security risks to principals through intelligence analysis, environmental scanning, and vulnerability identification.

Route Planning

Planning secure travel routes with primary, alternate, and emergency options, considering potential threats and traffic conditions.

Surveillance Detection

Identifying and responding to hostile surveillance through trained observation techniques and counter-surveillance measures.

First Aid

Providing immediate medical response including trauma care, CPR, and first-person-on-scene procedures in emergency situations.

Conflict Resolution

De-escalating potentially volatile situations through verbal skills, body language management, and proportionate response.

Confidentiality

Maintaining absolute discretion regarding principals' personal lives, business activities, and security arrangements.

Advanced Driving

Operating vehicles safely at speed, including evasive driving techniques and anti-ambush manoeuvres in various conditions.

Advance Security Work

Conducting venue security assessments, hotel checks, and event security planning prior to principal attendance.

Work Experience Examples

Describe each role with the type of principal protected, the operational environment, and your responsibilities. Avoid naming principals or revealing sensitive details. Include advance work, route planning, and threat assessment alongside direct protection duties. Achievements should demonstrate competence and professionalism.

Close Protection Officer

Sentinel Security Group

Provided close protection services for corporate clients and high-net-worth individuals through a specialist security consultancy operating across the UK and Europe.

Responsibilities

  • Delivered personal protection to principals during business travel, social events, and residential periods.
  • Conducted advance security assessments of venues, hotels, and travel routes, identifying potential threats and mitigations.
  • Performed surveillance detection routes and maintained situational awareness throughout all protection tasks.
  • Planned and executed secure transport arrangements, including multi-vehicle convoy movements in urban environments.
  • Maintained detailed logs of all protection activities, incidents, and intelligence observations for client reporting.

Achievements

  • Completed over 200 incident-free protection assignments across 14 countries with zero security breaches.
  • Identified and neutralised a potential security threat during a corporate event, preventing a confrontation with the principal.
  • Recognised by the client's family office as the preferred CPO for all UK and European travel engagements.

Security Team Leader

British Army — Royal Military Police

Served as a team leader in the Royal Military Police, providing force protection, VIP security, and close protection in operational and peacetime environments.

Responsibilities

  • Led a four-person close protection team providing security for senior military and civilian officials.
  • Conducted threat assessments and route planning for VIP movements in hostile and semi-permissive environments.
  • Delivered training on close protection drills, emergency actions, and first-person-on-scene medical response.
  • Managed intelligence gathering and liaison with local security forces during overseas deployments.

Achievements

  • Completed three operational tours providing close protection to brigadier-level and above, with zero security incidents.
  • Awarded a Commanding Officer's Commendation for exemplary performance during a high-risk protection task.

Education & Qualifications

List your SIA Close Protection licence first, followed by military or police service records. Include specialist training such as hostile environment awareness, advanced driving, or trauma medicine. First aid qualifications and any relevant firearms certifications should be clearly listed.

SIA Close Protection Licence

Mandatory licence from the Security Industry Authority authorising individuals to provide close protection services in the UK.

FREC Level 3 First Aid

Advanced first aid qualification covering trauma management, medical emergencies, and first-person-on-scene protocols.

HEAT (Hostile Environment)

Hostile Environment Awareness Training preparing operatives for working in conflict zones and high-risk environments.

Advanced Driving Certificate

Specialist driving qualification covering evasive driving, convoy operations, and vehicle anti-ambush techniques.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a close protection CV include?
A close protection CV should include your SIA licence details, military or police background, and detailed experience of protection assignments. Describe the types of principals protected without naming them, the environments worked in, and your specialist skills. Include advance work, threat assessment, and driving qualifications. Maintain confidentiality throughout.
How do I present military experience on a close protection CV?
Present your military service as professional experience, translating military roles into civilian-understandable language. Highlight close protection, VIP security, and force protection duties. Include rank achieved, tours completed, and any awards or commendations. Military experience is highly valued in the close protection industry and should be presented prominently.
How important is confidentiality on a close protection CV?
Confidentiality is paramount. Never name principals or reveal specific security arrangements. Describe clients generically, such as a corporate executive or a diplomatic family. Demonstrating discretion on your CV itself shows potential employers that you understand the importance of confidentiality in close protection work.
What specialist skills should I highlight?
Highlight advanced driving, medical and trauma first aid, surveillance detection, and any firearms training or overseas experience. Language skills, cultural awareness, and experience in specific environments like hostile zones or maritime settings are also valuable. Specialist skills differentiate you from other CPOs and increase your employability across different client types.

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