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Abstract

Terrorists attacks have increased dramatically over the past two decades and have targeted Americans with greater frequency. The inability of local, state and federal police agencies to protect individuals most prone to attack, kidnapping and assassination has led to the emergence of a new growth industry in the United States and abroad: The Executive Protection Specialist. This paper will focus on the variables that influence the terrorists' decision to target individuals and corporations rather than governments and the resultant emergence of Executive Protection Specialists within the private security profession. Recruitment and training for this sophisticated new field will be emphasized along with an appraisal of career opportunities that will impact the criminal justice discipline generally and the corporate security field specifically. Also included will be an analysis of the evolving professionalism in this area as the progression from bodyguard to protection specialist is accomplished.

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Combating Terrorism on the Corporate Level: The Emergence of Executive Protection Specialists in Private Security

Abstract

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