<Tr> <Th> Related jobs </Th> <Td> Security guard, law enforcement officer, anti-terrorism specialist, intelligence officer, military special operations, private investigator </Td> </Tr> <P> A bodyguard (or close protection officer) is a type of security guard or government law enforcement officer or soldier who protects a person or people--usually high - ranking public officials or officers, wealthy people, and celebrities--from danger: generally theft, assault, kidnapping, assassination, harassment, loss of confidential information, threats, or other criminal offences . The group of personnel who protect a VIP are often referred to as the VIP's security detail . </P> <P> Most important public figures such as heads of state, heads of government, and governors are protected by several bodyguards or by a team of bodyguards from an agency, security forces, or police forces (e.g., in the U.S., the United States Secret Service or the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service). In most countries where the head of state is also their military leader, the leader's bodyguards have traditionally been Royal Guards, Republican Guards and other elite military units . Less - important public figures, or those with lower risk profiles, may be accompanied by a single bodyguard who doubles as a driver . A number of high - profile celebrities and CEOs also use bodyguards . In some countries or regions (e.g., in Latin America), wealthy people may have a bodyguard when they travel . In some cases, the security personnel use an armoured vehicle, which protects them and the VIP . </P> <P> The role of bodyguards is often misunderstood by the public, because the typical layperson's only exposure to body - guarding is usually in highly dramatized action film depictions of the profession, in which bodyguards are depicted in firefights with attackers . In contrast to the exciting lifestyle depicted on the film screen, the role of a real - life bodyguard is much more mundane: it consists mainly of planning routes, pre-searching rooms and buildings where the client will be visiting, researching the background of people that will have contact with the client, searching vehicles, and attentively escorting the client on their day - to - day activities . </P>

Who performs close protection duty in vip security