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IACPOM
Home
History
Eligibility
Certification Guidelines
Testing & Certification
Fees & Admin
Regional Managers
Subject Matter Experts
Contact
More
  • Home
  • History
  • Eligibility
  • Certification Guidelines
  • Testing & Certification
  • Fees & Admin
  • Regional Managers
  • Subject Matter Experts
  • Contact
  • Home
  • History
  • Eligibility
  • Certification Guidelines
  • Testing & Certification
  • Fees & Admin
  • Regional Managers
  • Subject Matter Experts
  • Contact

Subject Matter Experts (SME)

Role of Subject Matter Experts

Subject Matter Experts, or SMEs, are senior managers or operators in the protection field who have demonstrated excellence in specific protection-related topics.


They work closely with Regional Managers to identify the skill sets necessary for successful employment in the protection field.


Subject Matter Experts may come from public sector, private sector, executive protection, celebrity protection, military, diplomatic, or specialized security backgrounds.

Public Sector Subject Matter Experts

Public sector Subject Matter Experts may include professionals with experience in dignitary protection and military Protective Security Detail operations.


Public sector SMEs should generally meet the following standards:

  • Graduate of a government protection training program 
  • Minimum of five years of experience working in public sector protection 
  • Knowledge of hiring criteria and pay schedules for government training and career pathways 
  • Recognition as experts in their field by their peer group 
  • Consistent management experience throughout their careers 


Examples of qualifying leadership roles may include:

  • Detail Leader 
  • Special Agent in Charge 
  • Protective Detail Supervisor 
  • Similar command or management positions

Private Sector Subject Matter Experts

Private sector Subject Matter Experts may include professionals with experience in executive protection, celebrity protection, corporate security, private security operations, or protection agency management.

Private sector SMEs may be graduates of either public or private sector training programs, but they must have spent a significant portion of their careers in the private sector.


Private sector SMEs should generally demonstrate:

  • In-depth knowledge of the private protection industry 
  • Understanding of relevant laws and regulations 
  • Familiarity with human resources issues as they relate to the protection industry 
  • Recognition as experts by their professional peer group 
  • Consistent management experience throughout their careers 


Examples of qualifying leadership roles may include:

  • Security Director 
  • Security Agency Owner 
  • Licensee 
  • Key Management Personnel 
  • Executive Protection Program Manager

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