Hostile Environment Close Protection Operator – Team Member (HECPO-TM) Course

The HECPO Course is aimed at operators within Military Units, Law Enforcement Agencies, Private Security Company (PSC), and Private Military Company (PMC) Sectors who will be providing advanced Close Protection Services to personnel in austere or high-threat environments. HECPO candidates can expect long hours, no-nonsense instruction, and must be prepared to fully demonstrate their ability to gel as part of a team environment.

• The course delegate will undertake training, learning key skill sets for high-risk, close protection operations to prepare them to effectively operate as part of a Hostile Environment Close Protection Operator (HECPO) Team Member, or as a Security Escort Team (SET) Operator.
• The course delegate will learn and put into practice relevant skills in conducting Risk Assessment Methodology, Risk Mitigation Strategies, Emergency Response Measures, and Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs).
• The course delegate will be trained in planning, application, and effective execution of taskings within high-threat environments.

Subjects covered within our HECPO Course include, but are not limited to the following:

• Site Security Surveys
• Threat & Risk Assessments
• Route Selection & Planning
• Security Escort Team (SET)
• Counter-Attack Team [CAT]
• Counter-Ambush Protocols and Training
• Security Advance Party [SAP]
• Surveillance Training (Anti/Counter/Protective)
• Venue Security Team [VST]
• IED Awareness
• Surveillance, Anti-Surveillance & Counter- Surveillance
• HECPO Communications
• Managing the Protective Effort
• Operational Planning & Management

HECPO Course candidates must be (a) able to demonstrate that they have attended and successfully completed a recognised Close Protection Course under the Security Industry Authority (SIA) for UK candidates, (b) an equivalent Awarding Body for students from outside of the United Kingdom, or (c) if former Military, then they must be able to demonstrate that they have provided either Protective Security Detail (PSD) Services within a military unit or team environment, or are former Special Forces Operators who have conducted similar operational duties. 

Special Projects Group HECPO Courses are a very intensive five days in duration (this can be extended for private courses), instructing on key subject matter such as the Tactical Use of Firearms, Security Escort Teams, Route Security, Residential Security Teams (RST), Counter-Attack Teams (CAT), and Security Advance Parties (SAP).

Courses are instructed by proven HECPO Operators / Instructors, with years of actual operational experience in various threat-level environments including Iraq, Afghanistan, SE Asia, and hail from Elite UK Military and Private Military Company (PMC) backgrounds. 

SPG also run a HECPO Team Leader (HECPO-TL) Course for those Operators looking to transition to a Team Leader role.

Successful candidates will receive the Special Projects Group Hostile Environment Close Protection Operator (HECPO) Course Certificate of Completion. 

• Accommodation
• 3 Meals per Day
• *SPG HECPO ID Card (Successful Delegates)
• HECPO Course Certificate (Successful Delegates)

The *SPG HECPO ID Card entitles you to 15% off any course(s) you undertake with Special Projects Group. This will be posted out to you within 30 days of successful completion of the course.

The following items are mandatory requirements for the Course Delegates to bring along with any ‘civilian’ clothing and kit that they need for day classes / evening attire / gym clothes.

• Personal Tactical Clothing
• Tactical Boots / Footwear
• Ballistic Glasses
• Adverse Weather Clothing
• Notebook, pens, etc

SPG will provide the following items for training purposes:

• Weapon Systems & Ancillaries
• 3-Point Sling
• Holster System
• Tactical Plate Carrier
• Tactical Helmet
• Comms Equipment

At Special Projects Group, we offer competitive bulk discount pricing for companies and organisations looking to purchase our STCW ISPS Proficiency as Ship Security Officer (SSO) courses for multiple employees. Whether you’re equipping a small team, staff, workforce or even an entire crew, we provide scalable pricing options to suit your training needs. Discounts are applied based on the number of participants, with greater savings available for larger groups. To discuss your specific requirements and receive a personalised quote, please contact our training coordination team by email at [email protected], and one of our team will happily assist you.