Here we explain the reasons for the newly introduced Close Protection Top Up requirements. This is now required for all licensed close protection operatives within the UK renewing their CP Licence.
In April 2022 the Security Industry Authority (SIA) introduced updated requirements for Close Protection training. These new requirements include counter terrorism awareness, some door supervisor training, and physical intervention training. These new requirements for Close Protection Operatives create a difference in knowledge between newly and already qualified CPO’s. With that in mind the SIA introduced the Close Protection Top Up course to level the standard across the industry.
Why do I Need to Learn Door Supervisor Content?
Since the inception of the SIA in 2006, Close Protection Operatives have been able to work as door supervisors due to the higher level of qualification required to achieve that licence. This creates a problem. Door Supervisors are trained in physical intervention, licensing law, looking after vulnerable people. Close Protection Operatives are not trained in any of those things. This disparity could have serious implications to those CPO’s who choose to work as a door supervisor.
As far back as 2012 (if my memory serves me) the SIA put the question to the industry asking if CPO’s would rather attend a separate door supervisor course to work the doors. A majority of respondents said no. Some stating publicly “I’m a qualified CPO, I shouldn’t have to do another course to work the doors”. The problem is though, whether you agree or not, the standards of training are very different.
Fast forward to the last few years and the SIA again put the question out there. A large majority of respondents this time voting for licence activity merging. That is, being able to work as a door supervisor on a close protection licence.
Not Many Respondents Perhaps?
It’s worth noting that most of the full time close protection operatives we know were completely unaware of the survey. In fact, we only knew about this question being asked due to Indrisec being a training centre. So while figures suggest 80% of the respondents wanted the activity merging. Personally I believe that a lot of full time CPO’s never gave their opinion.
Regardless, this now means that to achieve a close protection licence you also have to be trained to work as a door supervisor. With the door supervisor training requirements being tightened up and increased in 2021, this means that if a close protection licensed operative wanted to work in the door supervisor role, they too would have to follow suit with these new training requirements. And because a majority of the CP industry voted for activity merging (we didn’t and disagree with the merging), the close protection top up course was developed.
What Does the Close Protection Top Up Course Involve?
The Close Protection Top Up course itself is a 5 day course with the following pre-course requirements needed before you can attend.
- You must have a valid first aid certificate that is at least a level 3 three day First Aid at Work course, or one of the following/an approved equivalent.
- First Person on Scene (International)
- First Response Emergency Care Level 3
- First Aid Response
- You must have completed both parts of the Action Counters Terrorism e-learning within the last 12 months
While attending the course you’ll run through the following modules and assessments over 5 days.
- Principles of Terror Threat Awareness in the Private Security Industry.
- Multi choice exam
- Principles of Working as a Door Supervisor for Close Protection Operatives in the Private Security Industry.
- Multi choice exam
- Application of Physical Intervention Skills for Close Protection Operatives in the Private Security Industry.
- Multi choice exam
- Practical demonstration of Physical Intervention Skills
- Live Q&A on Physical Intervention Skills
- Application of Physical Intervention Skills in the Private Security Industry.
- Multi choice exam
- Practical demonstration of Physical Intervention Skills
- Live Q&A on Physical Intervention Skills
Is There any Close Protection Training on the Top Up Course?
There is a little bit. The Application of Physical Intervention Skills for Close Protection Operatives in the Private Security Industry covers some of the very basics of close protection operations in terms of immediate incident response and protecting your principal. But for all already qualified close protection operatives, this should very much be a memory refresher on the theory of the role.
It is also important to remember that while this course is there to fill the gaps in the role of the door supervisor, it’s not really going to fill any gaps in close protection training. If you have attended a poor quality close protection course, this course will not improve those standards. The course is there really to fill the door supervisor gaps, and then just check a benchmark, albeit a low one, of competence against physical intervention techniques and methods to protect your principal.
I’m a High Speed Operator Who Will Not Be Working the Doors, Do I Need to do the Close Protection Top Up Course?
Yes! These are the new required standards for all SIA Licensed Close Protection Operatives. Whether your rolling over car bonnets, running and gunning in Iraq, standing on your local jewellery store, or rubbing shoulders with UHNW individuals. If you have an SIA Close Protection Licence that needs to be renewed, you must complete the top up course.
What Will We Learn on the Physical Intervention Part
Most of the Physical Intervention aspects are common sense techniques that even the most greenest of operatives will do. The learning outcomes for this part of the course are basic, dealing with basic interventions to protect yourself and your principal. You will not come away being able to audition for the next John Wick movie!
The reason for this is because prior to this module being added, there were no requirements to teach physical intervention or self defence aspects on a Close Protection Course. This led to a lot of training providers not teaching anything at all. Given the role of the close protection operative, this is dangerous at best. What it means in reality is there are a lot of qualified CPO’s, who have had zero training in physical intervention, or self defence. The SIA standards are basic, and they always will be in my opinion. They do not want the headache of having to deal with multiple excessive force complaints a week. And while it is basic, we must remember as professionals, this does not remove our rights under common law and the criminal law act. In essence, if you want to be a true protection professional, you should be carrying out your own personal/team development in such subjects as an addition… which we all know anyway…
Overseas Students who have Not Completed all of the SIA Required Modules.
We are aware of some overseas training providers who are not proceeding with the fully updated modules. Take Ronin South Africa for example. Their course is aimed at the international market and is not UK specific. It is a long course already, with course content that goes way above and beyond the SIA standards. They have chosen not to implement the door supervisor or physical intervention aspects of the new requirements into their course. As a former Ronin graduate myself, I can appreciate their reasoning. It is already long course, and adding an extra week for door supervisor training, and physical intervention training, which is well below the standard of hand to hand combatives that they deliver, it would have a negative impact.
How do these students get licensed?
For those students who have not got all the required modules in place for the SIA Close Protection licence, we can file a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) detailing the training you have done already. You will then complete a Close Protection Top Up course giving you the remaining module certificates allowing for licence application. **It is actually more complicated than that, but for ease of explanation, that is the best way to look at it.
Any learners who have trained with a provider who is not completing the new modules, should get in touch with us by emailing courses@indrisec.co.uk or using the contact form below.
Questions on the Close Protection Top Up Course
No we do not. We will pass those who meet the required standards. Those who do not, we will work with to ensure they get to the required standard to pass on their own merit.
Because that is the requirements the SIA have stipulated. Also, as a professional Close Protection Operative, constant refresher training in first aid skills is a must.
Generally no. There is a required minimum set, and non-regulated courses generally will not qualify, however, do get in touch with us for this, as we can check on a case by case basis.
Yes.
No. The course is a single course that requires all modules to be passed. Unless you have completed a separate door supervisor course, then get in touch as we may be able to RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) you.
Why Train With Indrisec?
Almost 60 years of experience amongst our training team predominantly in Close Protection Operations. We’re honest about what we teach, we don’t guarantee passes, and we teach from our experience.
If you like the sound of that and would like to look at training with us, please visit our Close Protection Top Up Training page to book.