F r e
q u e n t l y a s k e d q u e s t i o n
s
Please feel
free to contact us
You are always more than welcome to contact
us if you have any questions about our organization, membership,
training courses. Please read our FAQ before contacting us.
Question: Does taking
an I.A.P.P.A course guarantee Close Protection and/or other
types of VIP Security work?
Answer: No, I.A.P.P.A makes no promises about
getting into the Close Protection Industry, we are not a
job-placement agency. Anyone claiming to provide work after
having completed a course in the CP industry is most likely not
telling the truth.
Question: Does becoming
an I.A.P.P.A
member help me get into the Close
Protection industry?
Answer: Perhaps, becoming a member of an
international organization that has been "on the map" since 1989
can help your resume and at the same time show others that you
are a serious professional.
Question: I feel that I have something
important to offer I.A.P.P.A can I get involved?
Answer: YES, we are always interested in
people that want to promote I.A.P.P.A and our concept(s).
I.A.P.P.A is for the members and by the members.
Question: How much does it cost to start an
I.A.P.P.A chapter?
Answer: NOTHING, we do not sell I.A.P.P.A
as a franchise. We select individuals that have been with
the organization for some time and at the same time shown that
they are dedicated to I.A.P.P.A. They are given the opportunity
to become regional or local directors.
Question: I own and operate my own security
agency and I would like to promote myself as a professional
vendor of specialized security services. Can I sign up with
I.A.P.P.A?
Answer: Perhaps, It depends if you live up to
the I.A.P.P.A standards for corporate membership.
Question: You say on your website that
I.A.P.P.A is a non-profit organization, but why do I have to pay
to become a member?
Answer: We need membership fees for payment
of webspace, shipment of certificates, international and long
distance calls to and from members.
Question: I have written to I.A.P.P.A and I
have not heard anything?
Answer: All members of I.A.P.P.A Management
work pro-bono, this means that mail answering, and all I.A.P.P.A
related work is done for free. Give us a 4-5 days to get back in
touch.
Question: Does I.A.P.P.A membership qualify
me as a personal protection agent all over the world?
Answer: NO, having completed an I.A.P.P.A
course or having membership in I.A.P.P.A or any other security
organization for that matter, does not bypass regional, local or
national security industry acts.
Question: Is I.A.P.P.A Membership recognized
by any country or organization?
Answer: Yes, some countries fore instance in
the Middle East require that security consultants (Close
Protection Agents) and security managers have proven membership
in an international security or law enforcement organization.
I.A.P.P.A is such an organization, and we have members in such
countries. Thus I.A.P.P.A is recognized in some countries of the
world.
Question: Does anyone actually benefit form
networking?
Answer: Yes, It depends on you and you alone.
If you want to network, and get involved with I.A.P.P.A doors
can open. But networking is also sharing, it is a process that
takes time and trust.
Question: What does PPA, CPA, CPO or EPS
stand for? and how do you decide what is what?
Answer: Good question, different
organizations call their graduates different things. Very few
organizations actually use the word bodyguard, instead most
organizations call their members/graduates for agents,
operators, specialist and so on. It is the organization it self
that decides what terminology it uses, and we in IAPPA respect
that some call themselves Close Protection Agents, Executive
Protection Specialists, Close Protection Officers. IAPPA has
many members with many different backgrounds. Fore instance some
members have served with the armed forces in MP branches, they
have perhaps undergone months and months of intensive training
in Close Protection Operations, but they do not nessesarily have
a diploma that clearly says Executive Protection Specialist, in
these situations we look at the training and duration of actual
close protection experience, types of assignments before
granting them a title.
Question: What are the most common titles
used by people in close protection operations?
Answer: Please see the list below (this is
not a complete list)
PPA, Personal
Protection Agent
PSA, Protective Service Agent
CPP, Certified Protection Professional (ASIS)
PSP, Physical Security Professional (ASIS)
CPA, Close Protection Agent
CPO, Close Protection Officer
CPO, Close Protection Operator
EPS, Executive Protection Specialist
EPA, Executive Protection Agent
ESA, Executive Security Agent
ESA, Executive Security Assistant
PPS, Personal Protection Specialist
PPO, Personal Protection Operator
PPO, Personal Protection Officer
CSA, Corporate Security Agent
The above mentioned titles are the most
common used by our members, some associations use other titles
and we continue to integrate these in IAPPA.
Question: I have been trained by another
organization than yours and I want to become certified? Is this
possible?
Answer: Yes we can and we do, however there
are some associations that we do not accept or recognize, they
are very few and limited.
If you have been trained by organization X,
and you title is EPS - Executive Protection Specialist the
certification board can certify you as Certified Close
Protection Agent or Certified Personal Protection Agent. Please
read more about certification.
Question: I have no formal hands-on training
in the close protection field, but I have many years of
experience, can I become certified?
Answer: Perhaps. Most that apply without
formal training, are denied certification. But some individuals
have proven experience and "know-how" in close protection
operations, they are granted the opportunity to become
certified. But they most provide evidence to the certification
board that clearly shows that they are worthy of the title
"Certified Close Protection Agent". You do not get the title
just because you are willing to pay for it, you have to earn it.