Journey management

Using highly trained personnel and professional systems we are able to ensure a secure and relaxed environment for travellers.

Although the world has always presented dangers, today we are surrounded by reports of abductions, murders, kidnapping, incidents of rape, and other forms of violent crime, involving sports men and women, prominent business men and women, law enforcement personnel, entertainment personalities and people close to all of us, virtually on a daily basis. Crime has in essence therefore moved “closer to home”.

People from all walks of life will at some point be faced with some form of threat. Each threat has a likelihood of occurring, which is also referred to as a risk level. The basic concept on how risks are treated / mitigated is manifested in four different ways, which includes: treating these risks, tolerating these risks, transferring these risks or terminating these risks. The most effective way of mitigating a risk faced by any individual will however depend on an endless list of possibilities, which will largely depend on the very nature of a specific threat.

One way of mitigating these threats, and the likelihood of occurrence, is by employing a Close Protection Officer (CPO), also known as an Executive Protection Officer or Bodyguard, who is fully trained in anticipating, identifying and actively eliminating these threats in the unlikely event of occurrence.

Our Aim

The aim of G4S Journey Management is to use highly trained personnel and professional systems to provide a secure and therefore relaxed environment in which customers are able to confidently conduct their business.

Unknown environments which are difficult and risky to move around in can be challenging and unsettling at the best of times. Such is the case in many African countries.

This is where G4S Journey Management is able to assist to ensure a safe, relaxed and productive journey. Peace of mind for our customer is key.

Even when journey management services are a luxury rather than a necessity, G4S is able to assist.

G4S has the ability to safely manage journeys in the 30 African countries in which the company is established and operating. In each country, a daily external environmental analysis is conducted in order to determine any potential threats.

Journey management encompasses a variety of services. These are VIP transportation, VIP protection and meet-and-greet services. All services are customized according to professionally pre-determined risk factors and a customer’s specific requirements.

Services Offered

G4S utilizes the “grey move” approach to transporting, which minimizes the profile of the customer and consequently reduces risk as the customer is mobilized. Therefore flashing lights, sirens, aggressive driving, in fact any outward sign or behaviour that attracts attention, is avoided at all costs. Instead, personnel are trained to blend in with local conditions in a calm and controlled manner with the comfort and security of our customer being their first priority.

G4S consultants will recommend a package to a customer once a risk analysis has been conducted. Customers can, however, compile their own package or alter the recommended package with the level of risk taken into account.

Vehicles

Vehicles utilized by G4S are reliable, well maintained and appropriate for the local infrastructure and terrain. All vehicles are in contact with their control room for the duration of the journey. Additionally, all vehicles are equipped with a tracking device to not only monitor the vehicle’s position at all times, but also to determine when an incident takes place.

Secure Drivers

G4S makes use only of our own recruited and trained drivers in order to ensure the G4S quality of service. All drivers have previous driving experience and are trained up to G4S international standards.

G4S drivers are more than merely drivers. They have been trained to avoid and prevent potential risk by applying tactical defensive and advanced driving skills, all of which are aimed specifically at increasing our customer’s safety and comfort. For added peace of mind, each driver has had medical training for emergency situations. All G4S drivers are thoroughly acquainted with the local environment in which they operate, and are fluent in both the local language and English. Armed drivers may be provided for high threat environments.

Close Protection Officers (CPO)

A Close Protection Officer (CPO), also known as an Executive Protection Officer (EPO) or Bodyguard (BG), is a multi-skilled professional who has been recruited and trained by G4S up to its world-class standards.

All G4S Close Protection Officers are highly skilled in:

• Assessing threats and risks
• Explosive device identification
• Tactical driving techniques
• Tactical firearm skills
• Protocol and etiquette
• Surveillance detection, counter surveillance and anti-surveillance
• The use of necessary force to deal with threats

G4S is a trusted partner and provider of CPO’s for the protection of government officials, diplomats, international business executives and celebrities around the world. These standards are set by the Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA) in South Africa, and G4S is accredited by SASSETA to provide related training on the CPO Skills Program.

Meet-and-Greet

G4S offers a meet-and-greet service at airports, thereby eliminating the discomfort and concerns many visitors into Africa experience upon arrival at their destinations. By being met immediately at the airport our customer starts a visit in a secure and confident state of mind. Customers can be met:

• On the apron (airside during arrivals)
• Terminal loading bridge (airside during arrivals)
• Curbside (landside for departures)

Customer Feedback

G4S Secure Solutions has provided Close Protection Services to various individuals and groups in need of such services. This is what one of our many satisfied customers had to say:

"All the officers were well qualified and I was impressed with their training and background. They went above and beyond to make sure all our needs were taken care of including assisting with our executive transportation needs. I can confidently recommend G4S as a reliable supplier and experts in their field. I look forward to working with them in future."

While another had this to say:

"We had our most important clients and employees at the final, including a Board Member and they were all very well looked after. Several guests commented to me that they had felt extremely safe and secure as a result of the G4S presence and that they had had no concerns over security, allowing them to concentrate on the game."

Conclusion

G4S is the world’s largest provider of security solutions with more than 635 000 personnel operating in more than 125 countries. We have many years of experience in the field of VIP protection in the corporate, sports and entertainment sectors. This wealth of experience has been incorporated into our many African operations where Journey Management is now considered indispensable. G4S is therefore proud of its position as the leading provider of this service on the African continent.