Although law enforcement and police agencies exists to protect people and the interests of individuals at large, and may be deployed when mobs gather or during dangerous times, there ultimate purpose has never included protecting people in private capacities, unless designated for the same by the government.
This is not to suggest that private individuals and ordinary citizens do not face danger from rivals or anti-social elements. A number of high net worth individuals or celebrities may fall into the crosshairs of the wrong people, whether it be for the purpose of an obsession, the inclination to blackmail, or extortion.
Beyond Common Law Enforcement Protection
Rather, it is the limited resources and stretched capacities of public law enforcement agencies, which prevents this from happening.
As such, there is a large demand for organizations and companies like security services that can not only deliver people who carry out the responsibility of personal protection for such personalities, but also that they be trained well, be armed with the necessary force and communication equipment, and be capabl e of reacting to abrupt and dangerous situations.
Variable Application
The need for trained personnel is not limited to the protection of individuals though. The use of armed private guards is also common in vulnerable or politically sensitive areas, such as embassies, for the purpose of guarding foreign dignitaries, and by large hotels.
In addition to this, there are a number of non-personal uses of private security, such as the protection of assets, transporting highly valuable items from one place to another, safeguarding high-worth or historically significant artifacts at museums, and the provision of security for residential premises.
Potential Clients
People who frequently use private security companies include high-profile corporate figures such as CEOs and Chairmen of big companies, actors, sportsmen, royal families, and foreign visitors.
Most large private security companies will therefore deliver a range of flexibility in their services, in the sense that they are open to providing services just for one time, or for a longer timeframe, usually either on a permanent basis until the threat subsides or the circumstances change, or for short periods of time, particularly during foreign visits.
Intelligence
Apart from the active protection of individuals in the field, it is also possible for some security companies to provide services that pertain to gathering information and altering protection plans as need be.
This could involve observing and keeping track of the oft-used routes, changing circumstances, analysis, installing high-end security and surveillance systems, and the use of advanced technology and equipment.
Source: almurabit.com