Not to be mistaken with lifeguards. A bodyguard (also known as a close protection officer / operative) is a kind of military security officer, government police officer, or military service member that defends a particular individual or a designated group of individuals who tend to be high-profile public figures, high-level officials or wealthy individuals Bodyguards serve for private protection but are also called in whenever someone needs to be relieved of dangerous situations.
A bodyguard’s job would normally entail escorting VIPs, rich businessmen, film stars, politicians, and women on dates. Bodyguards are also called upon to assist during disasters or terrorist attacks when mass casualty dispersal is required. Bodyguards are also on call at hospitals or mental health facilities where patients are emotionally disturbed. Bodyguards may work independently or as part of a security detail for a private individual or for a larger business organization. Bodyguards may also work as private bodyguards for celebrities, which has a higher start-up cost than bodyguard services for VIPs. Bodyguards protect VIPs and members of the public from potential dangers such as assassination, suicide attempts, or other criminal activities by strangers.
The term “bodyguard” is derived from the word “body,” which refers to the arm that the bodyguard holds in an aim to defend his or her client. When a bodyguard is defending a VIP, he or she will use their body to restrain and control the client while the bodyguard attempts to arrest the attacker. It’s the bodyguard’s duty to restrain the client while the police officer arrives. The same responsibilities would then apply if the client was being attacked by another person.
Bodyguards need to understand the legal responsibility of protecting their client and adhering to the law. A bodyguard is not a private defense attorney; therefore, they are not allowed to give legal advice to their clients. If you are arrested for a DWI violation, a common law lawyer may be able to give you legal advice regarding the matter, but bodyguards must not discuss the matter with anyone except the arresting officer or court officer. Any other person, even a close friend, cannot give legal advice because it would constitute negligence in protecting their client.
A bodyguard is legally permitted to enter a secured residence to protect the property against unlawful action by a third party. However, it is usually illegal for bodyguards to threaten a homeowner with violence if they arrive to help the client to protect his or her home. Although most states allow a bodyguard to accompany a client when he or she goes into a secured house, it is still possible for a bodyguard to enter a house unescorted, under the belief that the homeowner will yield to their request. Therefore, a reputable and trustworthy security detail must make sure that his or her client has given permission for the bodyguard to enter.
Bodyguards escorting an affluent client to the airport are sometimes required to escort the client through airport security, which entails having visual contact with the person they are escorting and having reasonable suspicion that the person they are escorting has done something illegal. A reputable bodyguard will not agree to let a client go through airport security without bodyguard protection. If the bodyguard becomes involved in an incident, the client may be entitled to compensation from the security company that they hired to protect their affluent client.