In addition to conducting background checks and locating missing persons, private eyes are often hired to provide personal protection and bodyguard services to their clients. If you are considering adding these options to your menu of services, it is crucial to be educated in self-defense. You should educate yourself not just in the techniques but in the theories, practices, and legal aspects of bodyguarding. Be sure to check out our list of self-defense books as well.
Personal Protection and Self-Defense Training
In many cases, private detectives have experience in the military, law enforcement, private security, or related industries. These professions often include self-defense training, hand-to-hand combat techniques, and training on various weapons. If you have such experience, you have a solid foundation upon which to build new skills and techniques to utilize as an investigator on the streets.
If you don’t have any prior experience, consider hiring a local expert to teach you and your staff various techniques that can be used in sticky situations. While you can certainly learn from any martial arts expert, it is probably best to hire someone who has prior experience in law enforcement, especially someone who has experience with training police officers. This will help ensure that you get the most relevant training on the techniques that will be most useful for your situation.
Look for a trainer with knowledge of judo, Aikido, or ju-jitsu to learn take-downs and holds. Or, look for an expert with knowledge of Taekwondo, Kenpo karate, or Kung Fu to learn hand-to-hand combat techniques. Also, mixed martial arts trainers know a wide variety of styles, but be careful not to hire an overzealous hothead.
Self-Defense Equipment
There is a wide variety of personal protective equipment available to law enforcement personnel, private investigators, and the general public. Suppose you’re considering acquiring weapons to use in self-defense. In that case, it is essential to understand how to properly use the devices and what the legal implications may be in your particular city or state.
Available equipment ranges from protective gear such as bulletproof vests and protective pads to TASERs, batons, and even firearms.
The Home Security Superstore has a wide variety of high-quality self-defense equipment. They have options for both personal and professional use. For example, equipment categories include:
- Pepper spray, Mace
- TASER guns, stun guns, and stun batons
- Knives
- Batons
- Tactical flashlights
- Bulletproof gear
- Various weapons
Personal Security Books
Learn the Techniques That Will Keep You and Your Clients Safe on the Streets
The following books provide helpful information on Personal and Physical Security. Due to the nature of private investigation work, private detectives may find themselves in dangerous situations where their personal security, or that of their client, is at risk. These personal security books will help you learn techniques for staying safe and how to be prepared for potential threats to your personal and physical security. Following is a list of the best-selling books on this topic:
Effective Physical Security


Learn more about Effective Physical Security at Amazon.com.
Executive’s Guide to Personal Security
Book Description – As a company executive or an individual business owner, you cannot control the intentions of criminals and terrorists. However, you have complete control over effectively lowering your risk of being attacked by increasing security measures – physical, technical, and procedural. The less vulnerable you are, the less attractive you are to any criminal or terrorist who may be planning an attack in hopes of extorting money or demanding ransom. Let the Executive’s Guide to Personal Security show you how to ensure safety at home and abroad.
Physical Security and the Inspection Process
This book offers many essential information tips and hints, which help make it a good resource.
Physical Security 150 Things You Should Know
Physical Security 150 Things You Should Know is a comprehensive reference for security experts and executive protection specialists. Includes an overview of security operations, lighting, fencing, tracking, and risk management. Learn these advanced techniques for keeping you and your clients safe.
The Design and Evaluation of Physical Protection Systems
It reviews protection systems like physical barriers, electronic sensors, and layered defense systems. Also, it covers emerging technologies and electronic security systems. Includes diagrams and illustrations that help clarify and simplify complex concepts.
Hire a Private Investigator for Personal Protection Services
If you’re a private citizen and want to hire a bodyguard or personal protection specialist, visit our Bodyguard Directory to hire a professional in your area.
RELATED: Bodyguard Books – Check out this list of bodyguarding and self-defense books available from Amazon.com. Learn about the tricks of the trade, how to find a job and where to get the training you need to begin a professional career.