The BGA Assessment - The Benchmark for Protectors

BGA has developed a methodical and comprehensive process to appraise the knowledge, skills, and real abilities of Close Protection Professionals. The BGA assessment is based on a high level evaluation of the competencies requisite of a Close Protection professional in the Protection environment. While there are numerous globally recognised training entities there is no formal universal syllabus that all follow and therefore no way to evaluate the level of competence of a Protector trained in American versus their British or German counterparts. The BGA assessment model is aligned with the Global Protector Agency (GPA) assessment process, which has been established as an international standard for evaluating Close Protection Officers irrespective of their prior training.

Assessment Criteria

The Assessment criteria are based on the occupational requirements expected of Close Protection Officers "Bodyguards" irrespective of the country they operate in. These criteria are designed to enable a practical evaluation of a Close Protection Officers' training and understanding of the Protection Industry and include:

• Fitness: As the level of fitness is key to the performance of a Protector, as it affects Endurance, Concentration, Coordination, Control, Reaction, etc., each Protector is put through a comprehensive fitness assessment. Unarmed combat and defensive skills are also assessed during this phase of the evaluation.
• Legal Compliance: We evaluate the Protector's compliance in terms of the law to operate in their "primary" area of operation. The role of a CPO requires individuals to be fully conversant with the law and to understand the relationships between the Protection industry, regulating bodies and associated entities. We evaluate each Protectors certification in terms of relevant courses as well as their "real" work history.
• Soft Skills: Here we evaluate a Protectors ability to plan and prepare for a detail. Protectors are given various scenarios and required to conduct Risk Assessments, Reconnaissance and Operational Planning. Our soft skills appraisal also assesses the Protectors communication skills, etiquette, general knowledge, computer literacy, additional languages and any other proficiencies that may add value to our clients.
• Hard Skills (Fundamental Protection Tasks): The "Hard Skills" evaluation is a practical assessment of a Protectors "current" skill sets. The applied skills required by a Protector, such as driving skills, walking drills and counter surveillance skills are assessed during practical scenarios. Protectors are also evaluated on their ability on the shooting range.

Quality Managed

Our comprehensive assessment allows us to differentiate between candidates who meet and surpass our minimum standards and those who do not. We then rank and categorise each student with regards to recommended roles that they are able to perform within the Close Protection industry i.e. Security Driver, Team Leader etc.