The Continuing Pursuit of Changing the SIA Licensing Threshold for the Close Protection Sector

In 2012, I published my first book,?Close Protection, A Closer Observation of the Protection Equation,?as a result of experiencing first-hand the blasé attitude towards Close Protection by the SIA, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, Awarding Bodies and other assisting organisations together with a combination of both a frustration of the deplorable commercial training and operational standards on display, other publications on the subject and a passion to strive for industry excellence in this elitist role.??The book subsequently went on to become the leading publication on Close Protection having been ordered by government protection units responsible for the protection of Presidents, Prime Ministers and Heads of State throughout the world, security departments of Embassies & Consulates and NATO HQ, Central Security and Protection Division/ Centre for Knowledge & Expertise , The Hague, commercial training providers for use as their training manuals and student reading, used as a referenced textbook by degree academics in the fields of criminology and security & risk management, ordered by academic, public, government, corporate and specialist libraries including the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in addition to Arabic translation and publication rights being acquired by The Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research.?

Towards the end of 2021, some 16?years after the SIA initially imposed their industry ‘standards’ for Close Protection and after numerous ‘consultations, questionnaires, surveys and seminars with industry’, they continue to this day to fail to implement any minimum industry sector entrance standards, any proper training core competencies for the courses awarding their license and any proper duration for the course itself.

In continuing my pursuit in raising standards in this industry sector, I have, over the past year attempted to arrange a discussion directly with the Home Office:

Where on only the one occasion the two MPs had replied, the replies were in fact written by the SIA themselves to which the MPs had merely forwarded under their office.

This project/ ask is technical and without the direct specific knowledge required to consider and respond effectively, gives reason to respond just the once in terms of the Government’s position. However, the response in this instance is not one of the Government’s consideration, but that of the SIA themselves. The very cause of the questioning is based on the approach to industry standards by the SIA and for such line of questioning to revert back to the very organisation which is at the route cause does not then answer the question.

Is anything a subject matter expert can do to attempt to form discussion on these important issues or has my case been dealt with in its entirety and a line drawn under?

I am therefore welcoming assistance from the industry as a whole to make efforts in pushing the agenda of raising standards. I remain open to suggestions in options but if you wish to assist then please do write to me.

Thank you.