I . A . P . P . A   H i s t o r y   &   B a c k g r o u n d
The International Association of Personal Protection Agents

I.A.P.P.A - The International Association of Personal Protection Agents (formerly known as The I.B.A) is a professional non-profit organization for personal protection agents from all walks of life. 

Formed in 1989, I.A.P.P.A is regarded as the only truly international association with members in over thirty countries, including persons involved in the protection of royalty, presidents, state and diplomatic officials, military and government officials, corporate executives, personalities from the entertainment world, and those involved in witness and prisoner protection.

The International Association of Personal Protection Agents (I.A.P.P.A) was formed in 1989 by Executive Protection Specialist Mr. Jim King from The United States of America.

Mr. Jim King spent 23 years in the U.S. Armed Forces as a law enforcement specialist, trainer, Criminal Investigator, Counterintelligence Special Agent, and protective service agent before starting the I.B.A – The International Bodyguard Association that later became I.A.P.P.A. Mr. Jim King was an advisor to both the Vietnamese and Korean military in the area of law enforcement, counterterrorism, and dignitary protection.   

The I.A.P.P.A organization is one of the oldest and largest of its kind in the world and with its unique structure and history I.A.P.P.A can offer Clients, Personal Protection Agents, Security Agencies and others the most exclusive protective services, products and training programs.

Today I.A.P.P.A is very active in the industry with Dr. Stephen R. Barnhart as Executive Director; We are amongst the few to offer a professional training program in Executive Protection and related specialized security services.  The program is endorsed by the United States Navy, and by several recognized and accredited universities, including IU Panama, which is approved by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs in the USA. Successful participants will be eligible to apply for the I.A.P.P.A Certified Close Protection Agent credential, which in turn qualifies for college credit and / or CEU’s, from  of our participating universities.

I.A.P.P.A still offers residential hands-on-training to students from all over the world. Our highly experienced and certified Instructors can offer training courses to personal protection agents, law enforcement officers, military units, commercial security agencies and others that are involved in the fields of security, law enforcement and military operations. The I.A.P.P.A training bureau is lead by our technical director Mr. Charles Mallice from the United Kingdom.

You are more than welcome to contact I.A.P.P.A if you have any questions about our organization.