Introduction
The presidency is not merely an office; it is the embodiment of national unity, authority, and legitimacy. The individual occupying this position becomes the symbol of the state, both domestically and internationally.
Protecting the presidency, therefore, is not simply about safeguarding one person—it is about preserving the stability, continuity, and credibility of governance.
In this regard, presidential bodyguards play a critical role. They are the first and last line of defense, ensuring the safety of the head of state against threats ranging from political violence to terrorism.
However, the effectiveness of presidential bodyguards depends not only on their tactical training and professionalism but also on the level of upkeep and welfare they receive. Proper salaries, housing facilities, educational opportunities for their children, modern transport systems, and healthcare access are as important as firearms training or intelligence coordination. This article examines the role of presidential bodyguards, the challenges they face, and best practices to ensure their upkeep while safeguarding the presidency.
Historical Setting of Presidential Bodyguards
The tradition of protecting leaders is as old as leadership itself.
Ancient Civilizations:
The Roman Praetorian Guard, created by Emperor Augustus in 27 BC, was the prototype of specialized protective forces. In medieval Europe, royal guards and household knights provided close protection to monarchs, symbolizing both loyalty and power.
African Traditions:
Pre-colonial African chiefs and kings relied on warrior societies or palace guards—trusted clans sworn to defend their leaders. These groups combined ceremonial functions with combat readiness.
Modern Democracies:
In the United States, permanent presidential protection was institutionalized after President William McKinley’s assassination in 1901, with the U.S. Secret Service assuming this role. France established the Groupe de Sécurité de la Présidence de la République (GSPR) in 1983, while the United Kingdom relies on the Royal Guard and Special Branch
Postcolonial Africa:
Many African states created elite presidential guard units to symbolize sovereignty and protect against coups or assassinations. Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS) includes a presidential detail, Uganda relies on its Republican Guard, and Liberia has maintained presidential security units through periods of political instability.
History demonstrates two lessons:
First, trusted protection is essential for stable governance; second, neglect, corruption, or politicization of such units can undermine both the leader and the state
The Role and Importance of Presidential Bodyguards
Presidential bodyguards, often referred to as the “protective detail,” are tasked with shielding the president from physical harm, securing presidential residences and vehicles, managing public appearances, and coordinating with intelligence and law enforcement bodies. They combine visible defense measures with discreet surveillance and threat assessments. Their importance goes beyond physical protection: their loyalty and discipline symbolize national stability and the seriousness with which a state guards its institutions.
The importance of presidential bodyguards in this new age goes beyond simply shielding a head of state from physical harm. In today’s complex security environment, their role has expanded due to terrorism, cyber threats, political instability, and the high visibility of presidents in a globalized world.
Here are the major importance of presidential bodyguards in this new age:
- Protection Against Evolving Threats
Modern threats include terrorist attacks, organized crime, drone strikes, and cyber-enabled operations.
Bodyguards serve as the first line of defense against assassinations, bombings, and surprise attacks during public engagements.
Their presence ensures the president can perform duties without undue risk.
- Symbol of National Stability and Authority
The presidency is not just an individual but a symbol of the state.
Bodyguards project discipline, order, and strength, assuring citizens and foreign partners that the government is stable and capable.
In fragile democracies, well-trained bodyguards reduce the risk of coups or power grabs.
- Support for Democratic Governance
By keeping the president safe, bodyguards help ensure continuity of leadership and rule of law.
Their professionalism prevents political actors or criminals from destabilizing governance through violent means.
- Intelligence and Early-Warning Role
Modern protective units work closely with intelligence agencies.
They gather, process, and act on security threats before they materialize.
This proactive intelligence role is critical in an age of asymmetric warfare and rapidly spreading extremist ideologies.
- Managing Public Engagements Safely
Presidents today must be highly visible—traveling frequently, addressing citizens, and interacting with international partners.
Bodyguards enable safe public diplomacy by securing venues, screening attendees, and controlling emergencies without disrupting state business.
- Crisis and Emergency Response
Bodyguards are trained in evacuation, medical response, and crisis management.
In emergencies (e.g., assassination attempts, riots, or natural disasters), they ensure the president survives and remains capable of leadership.
- Adapting to Technology and Cybersecurity
Modern presidential bodyguards now includes counter-drone systems, electronic surveillance sweeps, and protection against cyber infiltration of communication devices.
Bodyguards are increasingly integrated into technological defense systems.
- Professional Integrity and National Image
In this new age, presidential bodyguards must embody loyalty, dignity, and neutrality.
A professional security detail assures citizens that the presidency is not only protected but also free from corruption or intimidation.
Their behavior before visitors or dignitaries reflects the international image of the state.
Challenges in Maintaining Effective Presidential Bodyguard Units
Despite their critical role, many presidential protection units in developing contexts face systemic challenges:
Poor Remuneration: Low salaries undermine morale and expose officers to corruption temptations.
Inadequate Housing and Facilities: Bodyguards often live in insecure, substandard housing,
weakening readiness and family stability.
Limited Training Time: Heavy workloads leave little time for continuous tactical development.
Insufficient Welfare Programs: Lack of scholarships for children, healthcare, and psychological support reduces motivation.
Weak Institutional Structures: Without clear rules, oversight, and resources, professionalism declines.
Technological Gaps: Outdated equipment and transport systems compromise rapid response and effectiveness.
Best Practices for Training and Professional Development
Structured and Ongoing Training
The U.S. Secret Service demonstrates the importance of structured training. After security breaches in 2014, reforms required agents to dedicate a significant portion of their work hours to training, with targets set at 12% by 2025 (up from as low as 3.3% in earlier years) (GAO, 2021). This underscores the need for states to institutionalize training rather than rely on ad hoc exercises.
Comprehensive Skill Development
Training should cover: tactical driving, firearms, hand-to-hand defense, first aid, evacuation drills, crowd management, and “what-if” scenario simulations. International experts recommend at least 150 hours of core competency training for bodyguards (Hextall, 2001). Intellectual readiness—psychological resilience, decision-making under stress, and intelligence gathering—is equally crucial (TSS Latam, 2021).
Evaluation and Modernization
Continuous monitoring and evaluation frameworks improve performance. Security assistance programs emphasize transparency, accountability, and measurable outcomes—principles that should be adapted for presidential bodyguards (DoD, 2016).
Welfare, Mental Resilience, and Institutional Support
Welfare and Support Systems
The welfare of presidential bodyguards directly affects their professionalism.
Presidential bodyguards are not beggars or individuals seeking handouts from visitors to the president’s office or residence. They are elite officers entrusted with the sacred duty of protecting the head of state, and by extension, safeguarding the nation’s stability.
When officers are poorly compensated, housed in substandard conditions, or denied family support, their morale and loyalty decline. Welfare must include:
Competitive Salaries: Salaries should reflect the risks and importance of protecting the presidency. Fair pay deters corruption and boosts loyalty.
Housing Facilities: Secure and well-maintained housing compounds ensure readiness, foster unit cohesion, and protect families.
Scholarships for Dependents: Education scholarships for children of bodyguards show recognition of sacrifices and build family stability.
Transport Systems: Provision of modern armored vehicles for presidential convoys and reliable staff buses for operations enhances readiness and reduces risks.
Healthcare Access: Comprehensive medical care, including mental health services, should be standard.
Recognition Programs: Awards and promotions based on merit encourage pride and discipline.
Mental Resilience and Stress Management
Bodyguards operate in high-stress environments where poor mental health could compromise decision-making. Stress management training, psychological counseling, and resilience-building exercises are essential. Simulation drills and mindfulness training can improve performance under pressure (GRS Protection, 2023).
Visitors and foreign dignitaries should encounter a disciplined, well-groomed, and respected unit that reflects the strength of the state—not a force struggling to survive. A bodyguard who is self-sufficient and supported by his institution commands respect and reinforces the authority of the presidency.
Institutional Framework and Governance
Formal Planning and Documentation
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends formal, annually updated security plans, defining authority, staffing, and training requirements (CISA, 2018). Presidential guard units should adopt similar frameworks.
Independent and Professional Units
Colombia’s Protection and Security Division shows the importance of an elite, depoliticized unit. With transparent recruitment, polygraph tests, and specialized re-training, it provides a model of professional, accountable presidential security (Protection International, 2022).
Democratic Oversight
Security system reform requires transparency, rule of law, and democratic oversight to avoid abuse or political misuse (OECD, 2005).
Leveraging Technology and Modern Tactics
Surveillance and Intelligence: Integrating digital threat platforms, CCTV, and biometrics strengthens early warning.
Secure Communications: Encrypted communication systems reduce risks of interception.
Crisis Preparedness: Standardized evacuation, lockdown, and medical response protocols must
be practiced regularly (CourseHero, 2021).
Global Best Practices: Lessons from executive protection schools emphasize venue sweeps, secure perimeters, and counter-surveillance (ESI, 2023).
The Limits of the Bodyguards’ Role: Protection, Not Policy
Bodyguards are not political, economic, or policy advisers. Their mandate is protection—not consultancy. Advisory roles should remain with appointed technocrats, economists, and national security staff. While bodyguards may provide security observations, their professionalism requires neutrality and focus on protection duties. History shows that when bodyguards interfere in politics, it destabilizes institutions.
Leveraging Technology and Modern Tactics
Surveillance and Intelligence: Use of biometrics, CCTV, and early-warning platforms.
Secure Communications: Encrypted radios and devices to prevent interception.
Crisis Protocols: Evacuation drills, lockdown procedures, and secure medical response (CourseHero, 2021).
Global Best Practices: Venue sweeps, layered perimeters, and counter-surveillance remain standard in executive protection schools (ESI, 2023).
Recommendations
- Institutionalize Training: Dedicate at least 12–25% of work hours to ongoing training.
- Improve Welfare: Implement fair salaries, housing compounds, scholarships for dependents, reliable transportation, and healthcare coverage.
- Professionalize Units: Create elite, depoliticized presidential guard corps with transparent recruitment and specialized training.
- Adopt Oversight Mechanisms: Ensure transparency and accountability through democratic governance.
- Leverage Technology: Invest in surveillance, secure communications, armored vehicles, and crisis management systems.
- Build Resilience: Establish psychological support systems and resilience training.
- Recognize Sacrifice: Develop recognition programs (promotions, medals, and awards) to motivate personnel.
Conclusion
The presidency is a national institution whose protection requires the highest levels of professionalism, loyalty, and readiness. A well-supported presidential bodyguard unit is the backbone of this protection. Ensuring proper upkeep—through structured training, competitive salaries, housing facilities, scholarships, healthcare, transportation, and technology—not only secures the president but also symbolizes a state’s seriousness about governance.
The welfare of bodyguards and the safety of the presidency are inseparable. An investment in one is an investment in the other. To secure the nation’s highest office is to secure the continuity and stability of the state itself.
Professional Profile Summary
Tarpeh L. U-sayee, Jr. is a seasoned Liberian law enforcement professional, criminal justice professor, and police training expert with a solid foundation in international relations, theology, and public service. With over a decade of experience in both law enforcement and criminal justice education, he currently serves as a trainer at the Liberia National Police Training Academy and lectures at various private universities in Liberia.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Foreign Service Leadership (International Relations), a Master of Divinity, dual Bachelor’s Degrees in Sociology and Criminal Justice, and an Associate Degree in Management. He is also a prospective doctoral graduate in Church Growth and Ministry.
Mr. U-sayee is a graduate of the Liberia Police Academy, the Louisiana State Police Academy (USA), and the Lagos State Police Academy (Nigeria). As an Apostle and spiritual leader, he brings a unique combination of ethical leadership, academic excellence, and practical field experience. His lifelong mission is centered on peacebuilding, unity, and the advancement of the rule of law in Liberia.
References
GAO (2021). U.S. Secret Service: Training targets and oversight. gao.gov
Hextall, P. (2001). The Modern Bodyguard: The Manual of Close Protection Training. dokumen.pub
TSS Latam (2021). Executive protection best practices. tsslatam.com
GRS Protection (2023). Emergency and crisis management for bodyguards. grsprotection.com
DoD (2016). Security Assistance Performance Management Framework. open.defense.gov
CISA (2018). Best practices for security office staffing. cisa.gov
Protection International (2022). Protection of public figures: Lessons from Colombia. protectioninternational.org
OECD (2005). Security System Reform and Governance. oecd.org
CourseHero (2021). Presidential security planning. coursehero.com
ESI (2023). Guide to executive protection. esibodyguardschool.com
