Executive Protection Utilizing Explosive Detector Dogs

(206) 601-1749

Handler Gerry Adams has been an executive protection (EP) consultant and provider since 1972. His partner, Explosive Detector Dog (EDD) Jarro, is a Dutch Shepherd. Dutch Shepherd Dogs are commonly used for explosive detection work. International Detection Canine Foundation (IDCF) certifies this team as an explosive detection team.

Most executive protection assignments are team operations. As part of the team, you are responsible for discreet tasks that are assigned to you by the team leader. In preparation for an assignment, you may be tasked with securing lodging, transportation, developing routes for a principal’s scheduled activities, and any number of other responsibilities.

Part of your advance work may involve sweeping meeting rooms, vehicles, and living areas for electronic eavesdropping devices. Someone will likely conduct background investigations of event staff and other temporary personnel. Hotel rooms are selected with security and safety taken into consideration.

Members of your team will assist in moving your principal between meetings, dining, airports, and lodging. Others are assigned to the principal’s family. Some will stand guard during the wee hours. The entire team is busy, each tasked with specific duties.

At least one member of your team will likely be tasked with screening for explosives. If it is determined that your principal is at risk of threat by explosives, we must then conduct an assessment in to order to determine the order of magnitude. This assessment allows reasoned decisions when considering whether to add security personnel, harden a perimeter, select training criteria, or when best to deploy an Explosive Detector Dog ~~(“EDD”)~~.

A comprehensive executive protection assignment must include combinations of tools and techniques in order to provide the best possible protection.

An explosive deterrent and response plan should be an integral part of any protective detail. Protocols and procedures must be developed that are specific to every assignment.

An EDD can be like any other tool that is kept available during a protective assignment. Your handler may also be available to conduct usual assignments while working the detail. The EDD is then on standby, in the general vicinity, and ready for deployment whenever asked. Suspicious areas, packages, briefcases, vehicles, vessels, and aircraft are easily screened by simply bringing out the appropriate tool.

Your preferred tool for explosive screening is likely the EDD you have at ready. Your handler simply brings out the EDD, screens the article, and you can decide how to best handle the article.

Logistically some areas require special treatment for the proper deployment of an EDD.

The EDD needs to be transported to the site. This can happen in a number of different ways. Vehicular travel is common, especially when remaining in a familiar region. Vehicular travel allows the handler to bring all of the equipment needed for working the EDD. We also travel by air. This can save time but might also require additional costs ~~in the~~of bringing of EDD related gear. On arrival to your destination, a suitable vehicle needs to be made available in order to store the EDD and its ~~accoutrements~~gear.

Now that the EDD is mobile, it can be deployed just about anywhere. The vehicle can also serve as the EDD’s shelter and place of rest. It has available food and water, grooming supplies, first aid equipment, training aids, and serves as protection from weather.

EDDs can spend their off-duty time with the handler. On most assignments, this is likely the time the handler spends sleeping, lounging, eating, preparing reports, assisting with planning, and other detail oriented work.

Tents or canopies, which afford protection from precipitation, wind, and temperature, can also be set up for comfort of the entire protective team, especially at night. The EDD can also share that space while staying in a transport kennel until needed.

Although adding an EDD as a new tool requires some additional planning and logistical support, it does not detract from the EP team’s ability to afford protection for a principal. Instead, it allows a greater assurance that the principal is properly protected.

How to arrange for your EDD tool is somewhat difficult if you have not had a previous opportunity to plan for one. There are very few private sector EDDs available throughout the United States. We are the first in the Pacific Northwest. We are available and can be transported just about anywhere in the same time that an EP team can be deployed, often using similar transportation.

If your threat assessment recognizes a need for explosive screening, your thoughts should be on the proper inclusion of an EDD within your EP team. Whether your team is an integral part of your ongoing protective assignments or contracted for individual assignments, deploying an EDD is seamless and will augment your assignment without diverting resources.