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- Surviving an Active Shooter
Active shooters generally have a singular focus - to cause as much carnage as possible without caring for a survival exit plan for themselves... which is precisely what makes them so lethal.
In a week punctuated by news of lone wolf and active shooter attacks, we reflect on these unfortunate incidents and share some practical advice from operators who have invested a lot of their time in trying to find the most effective ways of preempting and surviving an active shooter.
Let's get into it!
The Circuit Magazine Podcast
When travelling overseas on a detail, be that Germany or anywhere else, 'who you know' is going to play a pivotal role in how effectively you can perform. So, we are delighted to expand your little black book with another valuable contact in the form of Dr Christoph Eichel, CEO and Founder of Solitaire Advisory.
Have you ever met a German EP operator on international missions? For a country and economy as strong and large as Germany the adoption of EP and security, in general, is surprisingly low - but is all that about to change?
Listen in to this week's episode as we address:
What opportunities for partnerships are there for international operators looking at the German market?
How can external colleagues navigate the KMU (largely middle-sized family business) landscape?
To what extent are German language skills a requirement?
Why are German companies interested in longer-term over transactional partnerships?
How is geopolitics affecting the threat landscape in Germany?
If you enjoy listening to the Circuit Podcast and can spare a minute, please rate/review us. Your rating will help us to rank higher making it easier for others to find the podcast.
The Need to Know
Witnesses saw a man carrying what they described as a large gun fire twice at the former PM from behind. Abe fell to the ground as bystanders screamed in shock and disbelief. Abe had a security team with him, but it appears the gunman was still able to get within a few metres of Mr Abe without any sort of checks or barrier.
Security officers dived onto the attacker, who made no attempt to run, and seized his weapon.
The Ukrainian army retreated from the strategic city of Lysychansk following weeks of fierce fighting, marking a decisive breakthrough for Vladimir Putin's men.
Sunday’s statement comes as North Korea’s neighbors say the country is ready for its first nuclear test in five years
Billionaire, Gennadiy Bogolyubov, who lived in a £62.5 million London mansion has been hiding in his tracksuit in a bunker in Ukraine fearful of being targeted in a Russian hit, a court has been told.
“He has lost his bodyguards, it doesn’t appear that money would buy you bodyguards in the situation that appertains in Ukraine, and he is also on the Russian sanctions list.
Trump demanded to be taken to the Capitol. But the vehicle began moving in the direction of the White House. "The president had a very strong, a very angry response to that," Hutchinson said. "[He] said something to the effect of, 'I'm the f-ing president. Take me up to the Capitol now,' to which the security detail chief said, 'Sir, we have to go back to the West Wing'."
The mayor of Akron called the footage "heartbreaking" and "disturbing" but called for any protests over the killing to be peaceful amid tension in the city.
New York approves new handgun rules after Supreme Court struck down previous restrictions — www.cbsnews.com
New York's legislature has approved a sweeping overhaul of the state's handgun licensing rules, seeking to preserve some limits after the Supreme Court said people have a right to carry a handgun for personal protection.
For more timely global updates like this, get the Circuit Daily Briefing delivered to your inbox... daily! Get on the list >
From the Pages of the Circuit Magazine
In an active shooter situation, your choices are fight, flight or freeze. But in this article, Mark "Six" James gives us a nuanced and multi-dimensional analysis to undertake in considering your options. He reminds us that because active shooters often seek to block exits to increase the number of casualties and impede law enforcement’s response, freezing may not be a realistic option because you become an easy target.
Mark advises us that before deciding to fight, we might first consider fleeing. Because a tactical escape beats a tactical encounter every time. See how his three E’s – Evacuate, Evade or Engage will help you make an accurate assessment of conditions that are critical to surviving. If you decide to engage, fight like your life depends on it because it does!
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Latest Issue of the Circuit Magazine
Issue 62 - Intelligence Gathering
"I am currently active in the industry, and I have found few resources as current, relevant and truly informative as “The Circuit”. It’s a great source for veterans and “newbies” alike."
- Rod Gaymon
Geopolitical Analysis by RANE
By improving ties with the Taliban, India is seeking to reduce security risks, counterbalance Pakistan’s influence and improve economic opportunities in Afghanistan.
But this strategy is likely to achieve only modest results because of Afghanistan’s fragile economic and security environment, as well as New Delhi’s enduring ideological and cultural differences with the Taliban.
Indian officials recently visited Afghanistan for the first time since the Taliban took control of the country last year. The diplomatic visit reflects India’s new policy of engagement with the Taliban government in Afghanistan, given the new geopolitical realities of the region now that the Pakistan-backed Islamist group appears poised to retain control of the strategically important landlocked nation for the foreseeable future.
With the Taliban takeover in August 2021, India lost the limited political and diplomatic influence it had in Afghanistan because New Delhi never fostered a formal relationship with the Taliban. However, a foothold in Afghanistan is necessary for India to counter Pakistan’s presence and influence in Afghanistan. The close Pakistan-Taliban relationship poses a threat to Indian interests in the region because it gives Pakistan strategic depth and security against India. A continued Indian absence in Afghanistan would allow Pakistan to cement its role at the expense of India in the region.
Special Offer for On the Circuit Readers
From the Community
Observations on the assassination of the former Prime Minister of Japan — protector.disciplemedia.com
More information will certainly come out, but this is illustrative of the types of situations Protectors can find themselves in, and how action beats reaction.
Notice how everyone stands around. In Japan, crime, in general, is rare and firearm-related crime is extremely rare. Here is a great example of cognitive dissonance.
Other videos on this topic can be found in the ‘General Discussion’ and Firearm & Combatives section of the NABA Protector App. Also, check out the On the Ground folder inside BBA Connect
Ask questions, get advice, and find industry resources from an active and thriving community of professional, working operators:
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To any industry insider, being 'On the Circuit' means being operationally active in the world of international protection. To anyone else, it's just three words. Those who know, know!
Upcoming Events
Key Concepts in Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management (BTAM) - August 10 2022 — checkout.square.site
Learn the core components of threat assessment, what constitutes a threat, warning signs of violence, situational risk factors, risk factors for the mentally ill, protective factors, and principles of risk assessment and threat management to help your organization develop an effective threat assessment process and/or team.
Meanwhile...
It seems like Cristiano Ronaldo’s bodyguards are challenging him for column inches recently. The Portuguese twins are struggling to maintain the low profile usually preferred by those providing protective services to the rich and famous.
Just days after reportedly being involved in an accident which saw Ronaldo's £1.7m Bugatti Veyron smashed up, one of the pair has been involved in 'a spat' with police at a Spanish airport, which is said to have led to a delay in the departure of the footballer’s private jet.
Menorca's daily newspaper said the bodyguard got upset about being asked to wait after making an airport scanner go off with his splinted finger as he went through the VIP passenger check.
The newspaper claimed the bodyguard had “raised his voice and gesticulated violently” before walking through the airport security arch without being searched despite warnings from security personnel they would call the police.
Family vacations can prove a stressful time for protectors as the demands on them increase. The pressure is on to ensure everything goes well for the principal and their family. Additionally, unfamiliar surroundings, impromptu planning and increased public scrutiny will combine to ramp up the pressure. However, it's important to remember you're not across the line until those plane wheels are up. Airport security can be a test of character for even the most resilient of us!
Elsewhere on the Circuit
After Japan’s ex-prime minister Shinzo Abe was shot dead on Friday. Here is a quick look at previous assassinations of leading politicians around the world, starting with John F. Kennedy in 1963.
The British Security Industry Association’s (BSIA’s) flagship event, the British Security Awards, returned to the live stage for the first time since July 2019 to recognize security officers and businesses working to keep people, property, and places professionally protected during the last 18 months.
Final thoughts with Steve Crimando
In the wake of the tragic mass shooting at the July 4th parade in Highland Park, Illinois, an uncle of the suspected shooter reported that there were "no warning signs" that his nephew was about to carry out an attack.
As with many cases, after the fact, people surrounding the attacker slowly begin to connect the dots, and the warning signs become all too apparent: isolation, hopelessness, fascination with weapons, alienation; the list goes on. A 2018 FBI Study of Pre-Attack Behaviors of Active Shooter reported that those on the pathway to mass violence typically exhibit 4 to 5 observable indicators of imminent violence. People don’t just snap—violence is a process, not an event. As new information becomes available, it seems that the shooter planned his attack for at least several weeks, and that there were numerous warning signs that he was well along the pathway to violence. How do those close to the attacker continue to miss the signs?
The recent FBI report of active shooter incidents in 2021 identified a 52.5% increase from 2020 and a 96.8% increase from 2017. In the wake of events in Buffalo, Uvalde, and now Highland Park, the upward trend is clearly continuing, and it seems that too many people remain unaware of the warning signs of impending violence.
There are always warning signs; whether they are recognized and reported is a different matter. Let's work together to stop the next mass shooter.
Learn more from Steve and Homeland Security Human Factors Summer Institute by enrolling on one of their courses being offered at: https://lnkd.in/dYsenAw
Until next week...
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