EXECUTIVE PROTECTION SERVICES

 

EXECUTIVE PROTECTION

Our Close Protection Specialists ensure the safety of VIP individuals who may be exposed to elevated personal risks due to their employment, high profile status or net worth.

We are Manhattan's No. 1 Close Protection Agency.

CPI Investigation’s elite team of security specialists will tailor our service to meet all of your protection needs guarantying your personal security while in the Metropolitan area.

 

Our Seasoned Security staff will mitigate threats to your safety by strategically planning each operation considering all variables, ensuring the best possible outcome on behalf of the principle.  This includes planning safe routes, exits and evacuations.     

                                                             

Our Close Protection Specialists are all trained in conflict resolution and de escalation tactics.                                                                                                               

                                                                                                

CONTACT US:

 We at CPI are aware that no one size fits all approach, is appropriate for everyone.

One of our Executive Protection Specialists will work with you to customize a close protection program to meet your specific circumstances.

Contact us for a free consultation.

                                                                                                           

 

 

  

 

 

STRIKE TRAINING METHOD

 

Strike training was created by Doctor Robert Humphrey as a psychophysiological training method designed for Marines, Police Departments and other Military Agencies in order for recruits to overcome their innate fear of being hit and the fear of striking back at an opponent.  Since Doctor Humphrey's passing, his philosophy and training methods were preserved and refined by former Marine Captain and life-long martial artist, Jack Hoban.

The concept of strike training came to Doctor Humphry during his military service as a lieutenant fighting in Iwo Jima.  The young lieutenant noticed that during combat with the Japanese, many of his marines did not return fire, they froze.  The Marines that were more likely to return fire were young men who had hunted game before.  His solution was to have his Marines go down to the beach and shoot into the ocean. This was done to acclimate young marines to become accustom to killing their enemies.  This technique of exposing fearful people to the things they are afraid of in small increments is championed by many Cognitive Behavioral Therapists today.  For instance, if someone were to have a fear of elevators, the therapist would first take their patient to an elevator and have him walk in and out the first day and perhaps go down one flight the next day, then the next day another flight and another flight the following day.  You don't tell them not to be afraid, you allow them to become more courageous. 

The question is, how can you train a recruit to take a punch and strike back under high stress situations.  The standard way this issue was addressed previously, was to set up boxing matches with the recruits. This method turned out to be problematic.  I can best illustrate the problem with this method through my own experience as a Cadet at the Rockland County Police Academy many moons ago.  During our PT Training at West Point after all of us were tired and charley-horsed we were instructed to form a circle and two by two each recruit would enter the circle and box each other.  The problem was that some recruits like myself were experienced boxers at least at the amateur level, while others had never boxed before, and some had never been in a fight their entire life and were terrified. The experienced boxers would dominate the matches every time, this did little to help the inexperienced recruits lessen their fear of physical combat.

STRIKE TRAINING

The session begins by reviewing the biomechanics of the boxing strikes. The proper way to throw a jab, uppercut, hook, cross, etc.  Learning to strike with all of your body, hips, shoulders, legs while always maintaining your military bearing.  Your body should maintain a relaxed attitude slightly coiled in like a cobra ready to strike at any moment.  Like a cobra, your strike should be felt before it is seen.  Your head should be held erect with your spine straight. When you strike, your fists should go forward, not your head, keep your head out of the striking zone.  Your rear hand should be up near your jaw and your elbows should be held in to protect your ribs.  Since you won't have gloves on in a street situation, your stance should more resemble an old bare-knuckled fighter or martial artist than a modern boxer.  your lead hand should extend further out.  Your knees should be slightly bent, with your knees in direct alignment over your feet.

Now the striking mitts come out and everyone breaks up into groups of two, with the person holding the mitts constantly providing feedback to the striker on his or her form, technique, posture and balance.  Certain concepts like crossing a person's T, concentrating on the timing and the space (Kukan) not the timing of the strike, proper angling, distancing, timing and correct breathing methods are taught.  

LINE TRAINING

Before Doctor Humphrey fought in Iwo Jima, he had been a boxer.  He developed line training to help recruits lose their fear of physical combat.  They would be able to practice combat skills in a controlled environment. The recruits would gear up with a helmet, gloves, mouthpiece and cup. Two people would hold opposite ends of a rope creating a barrier between the two recruits.  One is a receiver and one is a striker.  The receiver is the more skilled boxer who receives his opponent's attacks.  He parries, ducks, slips and avoids his opponents attacks occasionally striking back or counter punching. The attacker attacks the receiver, however if he feels overwhelmed, he can simply step back from the rope in order to gain composure and then continue his attack. This way the attacker can learn to take a punch in a safe environment. "The time period after you get hit is the most important time, during this time it is imperative for a fighter to remain calm" (Gus D'Amato).  Since the person that receives the role of the receiver must be much more skilled than the attacker, there will be fewer of them during a given training period, maybe just one or two.  In order for the receiver to fight many candidates, he or she must be able to stay relaxed, conserving energy.  "The most relaxed fighter is always the winner." (Mike Tyson)

THE ETHICAL PROTECTOR

After the intense physical part of this training session, the class gathers around for a discussion period.  Here we discussed Doctor Humphrey's philosophy of being an Ethical Protector and Jack Hoban's Conflict Resolution Techniques.  As Jack Hoban always says "The ethics must govern the tactics, the tactics determine the techniques employed." 

For a better understanding of this type of training method go to www.livingvalues.com.

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Keep going onward and upwards.

About the Author

Judd Bank is the CEO of CPI Investigations, was a former Detective for the Queens District Attorney's Office and a life-long Martial Artist.

Website:  www.privatedetectiveny.com

THE ART OF THE INVESTIGATIVE INTERVIEW

THE INVESTIGATIVE INTERVIEW


I would like to share some of the insights I have gathered during my 35 years of experience conducting interrogations, investigative interviews and polygraph examinations for both the public and private sector.  I have honed my skill through conducting thousands of investigative interviews for the Queens District Attorney's Office, where I was a Detective Investigator and Polygraph Examiner.  I also have performed polygraph examinations on level III sex offenders for the New York City Department of Probation where I lectured on my S.P.E.A.R Investigative Technique.  The Legal Aid Society has used my expertise on many occasions as well.  In the private sector, I have conducted interrogations for several of the most prominent armored car companies,  the diamond district, pharmaceutical companies, and private attorneys.

The word interrogation has negative connotations these days, so I prefer to use the term Investigative Interviewing instead.  The most effective method is a psychophysiological non-confrontational approach.  An Investigative Interview is basically a conversation with a purpose.  Before conducting the interview, the Investigator must be well prepared.  The Investigator's mind should be well disciplined.  He\She must know the stratagems that the later verified deceptive Subject might employ in order to attempt to thwart the interview.

The Interviewer must thoroughly understand human behavior, thought processes and the science behind memory recall.

The Investigator should consistently study other interrogations conducted by experts, critique them and continually refine his\her own skills.  Some of the best investigative interviews can be viewed today on YouTube.

The ancient Egyptians worshiped Horus, a hawk headed god whose symbol was an all seeing eye.

                                                              The Eye of Horus

The Egyptians understood the importance of being observant, perceptive, paying attention to even the smallest phenomenon of human behavior.

The Interviewer should possess a combination of intellectual prowess and intuitive insight.  He must be able to subtly shift the subject's mindset from a confident predator mode to an insecure prey mode.

The Interviewer  must be able to pay close attention to the five second time interval after the Subject has answered the Investigator's question.  This is the period where he should be acutely aware of the Subject's body language, posture, gestures, eye contact and micro expressions.

The Interviewer must assume a confident bearing, sitting up straight with shoulders back,.  He should be acutely aware of the changes in the Subject's posture.  He must have a thorough understanding of how a Subject's bearing modifies when he is being deceptive.

The Investigator must convince the Subject that coming clean is the best option for his well being and self interest. This can be best accomplished by offering the Subject two different scenarios:

One where the Subject's actions were detestable and would lead to serious consequences.
The other, a more forgiving, sympathetic scenario that might lead to a more amenable outcome mitigating his circumstance.  This is the time period where the Subject will either make an admission or go into a state of denial.

Often when the Subject confesses you will observe a change in body language, posture and gestures exhibiting a sign of relief.  At this point, allow the Subject to talk freely.  As Napoleon Bonaparte once said "Never interrupt an enemy when he is making a mistake".

Should the Subject go into denial, it is imperative that the Interviewer take action by interrupting the Subject's mindset and not allow the Subject to negatively reinforce his\her position and thereby make the chance of admission unlikely.

An effective technique for breaking the Subject's train of thought during a denial period is to ask a revealing question, for example ("What if I where to tell you that someone saw you at the location in question"), another example would be ("The forensic evidence will show that you were at the scene of the crime or incident"}.  People fear forensic evidence due to the fact they watch too much CSI, so it is an effective tool to use.

REVIEW AND EVALUATE

After the Investigator obtains the pertinent information he seeks, he must review the information obtained and determine its actual value and probative potential.   The Investigator should correlate the information he has obtained with previously known facts and other additional information that was obtained through interviews with other individuals who were also involved with the incident in question.

If you would like to get a deeper understanding of the Art of the Investigative Interview, you are welcome to attend my S.P.E.A.R Investigative Interviewing Seminar.  My next lecture will be announced soon.

About the Author:       

Judd Bank is the CEO of  CPI Investigations, licensed in New York and New Jersey.   http://www.privatedetectiveny.com

WU WEI: THE ART OF LIVING IN THE ZONE

Wu means non. Wei means action, or more precisely execute, doing, engagement, striving, and busyness. It doesn't imply or mean doing nothing, but letting your mind alone, trusting it to work by itself trusting in life's flow.

It is a kind of effortless action, like when an athlete is in the zone. Being in harmony with nature, both natural and human, having the feeling of always meaningfully engaging in life.  It is the art of effortless living.

There are plausible connections between modern science and ancient wisdom.  There is a dualism in life.  Neurological studies have shown that the brain is divided into two parts.  The left hemisphere  specializes in analytic thought, logic, language, reasoning, science, math, written and numbers skills and Right - hand control.  The right hemisphere specializes in Art awareness, creativity, imagination, intuition, insight, holistic thought, music awareness, 3-D forms and Left-hand control.

The wisest way to orient yourself in the world is to find the balance of these cognitive operations, between the known and the unknown.



Describing Wu Wei is difficult.  It is akin to describing a new color. Somethings can't be understood intellectually.  They must be grasped intuitively.

There is a profound unavoidable mystery in our very existence.  Giving up trying to control life enables one to master life. Amorfati - embrace your fate.  You've been dealt the cards, now enjoy the game.

Doing things in accordance with the grain, doesn't mean you don't cut wood at all.  It means that you cut wood along the lines where the wood is most easily cut.

Don't force anything.  Act in accord with the pattern of things as they exist. Without a proper understanding of the subject, it is better not to act at all.   An example of this is when Mao Tse-tung was confronted with the problem of birds eating chinese farmers crops, reducing the output of production;  his solution was to send the army into the infected areas and shoot all the birds.  This created a much larger problem because the birds ate the insects and when left unchecked, the insects destroyed all of the crops causing a great famine.

Chairman Mao

Float downstream instead of struggling upstream.  Eliminate all your psychic obstructions.  A master's performance in any art should  appear as if it was conducted effortlessly in a near  unconscious state.

Albert Einstein, said that he had come up with his finest insights in physics while smoking his pipe and going into a trance like state. 

Albert Einstein

Be true to your original nature.  Sometimes it is best to follow your instincts, they are gifts from your subconscious that can help you steer away from life's dangerous currants.

Sometimes the best way to explain what something is, is to describe that thing once it is lost. This is best illustrated through a poetic statement Ernest Hemingway made about F. Scott Fitzgerald.  Hemingway referred to the period of time in Fitzgerald's life where he was unable to recreate the elegance of his earlier masterpieces like the Great Gatsby.  "His talent was as natural as the pattern that was made by the dust on a butterfly's wings. At one time he understood it no more than the butterfly did and he did not know when it was brushed or marred.  Later, he became conscious of his damaged wings and of their construction and he learned to think and could not fly anymore because the love of flight was gone and he could only remember when it had been effortless".

Hemingway

F. Scott Fitzgerald

About the Author:  Judd Bank is the president of CPI Investigations,

 a multi dimensional private investigation firm with offices in 

Manhattan and Paramus, NJ.

Website:  http://www.privatedetectiveny.com 

HOW TO LIVE A TRANQUIL LIFE

Memento Mori - Remember thou art mortal.

Pondering one's own death can be quite beneficial, it enables us to treasure our lives.  Death is as natural as birth, but we don't want to think about our mortality. Accepting that we only have a certain amount of days left to live reminds us that we must make the most out of each day and we become more likely to make better decisions.  How many more full moons will you get to see?  Be courageous when you confront the face of death.  Your life perspective shapes your reality.  Happiness is a choice.  "Every man has two lives, and the second one starts when he realizes he only has one." (Confucius) 


DESPAIR

In life we often experience despair, hopelessness, depression and anxiety. These emotions  prevents us from being the best version of ourselves.  Always remember, that although life is full of catastrophes, tragedies, and malevolence, there is something about the human spirit that allows us to survive and transcend ourselves so that we may lead a noble life.  These experiences are only temporary and a challenge to test your mettle. We must think of despair as a learning experience and  thereby triumph over hopelessness. Gambatte (keep going).

"You can learn more from a teardrop than from a telescope." - Bruce Lee 

HOPE

Hope conquers despair.  Picture yourself driving on a treacherous mountain road in foul stormy weather.
The road is winding and slippery.  You have a choice regarding what perspective you will take.  You could concentrate on the thought that you are going to skid off the road and drop to your painful death.  On the other hand, you can hope that everything will be ok, and have faith in the fact that if you slow down and drive carefully you will get home in safely.
Amor Fati (Embrace your fate)

MEDITATION

The practice of meditation can create remarkable changes in your life.  It can improve your level of awareness, increase your level of attention, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, boost your immune system, and lessen cognitive decline. There are many methods of meditation just as there are many different styles of music, dance and art.

Here are three that I practice:


ZEN:

This meditation technique is based upon trying to quiet what Buddhists call your "monkey mind" or "wandering mind"  It's usually done sitting in a comfortable position while concentrating on your breathing.  You observe your thoughts bu you don't linger on them.  You are seeking to understand your true nature.  Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself leads to the path to enlightenment.

TAOIST MEDITATION:

 Taoist meditation is a type of moving meditation such as Tai Chi or Chi Kung.  It's purpose is to become one with nature and the flow of the universe.  The Taoist practitioner attempts to obtain a state of Wu Wei, a spontaneous effortless action in which the practitioner flows through life like an athlete always in the zone.

WESTERN STOIC MEDITATION:
  This type of meditation is advocated by the Stoic Philosophers, such as Marcus Aurelius.  Marcus Aurelius was an emperor of Rome who could have had  anything in life, but instead chose a virtuous manner of living.  The Stoic practitioner reflects upon his actions at the end of each and every day.    He asks himself  "Did I accomplish everything I set out to do that day?"  If something went wrong, what can I do to mend it and how can I learn from the mistakes I might have made that day?".  He asks himself "What can I do to improve tomorrow in order to move onward and upward?"  If he has accomplished all he could that day, then it is time to go home, relax, rest and have a peaceful night's sleep.  He does not ponder on things that are not in his control..

FRIENDSHIP

Nothing gives a person more pleasure than the bonds forged between good true friends.  Their presence soothes our minds, reduces our anxiety and their opinions help shape our decisions adding joy and comfort to our lives.  Their encouragement keeps us going even through our darkest times.
CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS WISELY.


About the Author:

Judd Bank
CEO of CPI Investigations, NY and a life long Martial Artist.
Website: http://www.privatedetectiveny.com

BEWARE OF THE SOCIOPATHS AMONG US

One out of every 25 people is a sociopath or exhibits extreme narcissistic behavior according to researchers today.

While mapping out the brain, a group of neuroscientists in stamford, discovered that the area in which we feel pain, overlaps the area in which we feel empathy.  Sociopaths do not make this connection.  They are self absorbed and don't feel the pain of others.

The problem is that sociopaths are all around us, but don't stand out in obvious ways and may be difficult to detect.

In this article, I will concentrate on Sociopathic behavior in the workplace and in our personal relationships.  The trouble is that sociopathic behavior is often rewarded in the workplace.  Sociopaths can be quite charismatic.  In our relationships, the people we care about are the ones we give the power to manipulate us the most.

If the sociopath has a position of power over you, he or she would act a bully.  If your co-worker or loved one's friend is a sociopath, he or she would act as a snake sabotaging you at any opportunity they get.

Sociopaths know the price of everything and the value of nothing. They will lie to your face with no hint of remorse.  They do not want you to succeed and won't support you for fear of who you may become.  They are completely self centered and absorbed. They sometimes act like hyper-aggressive two year olds.  They are master manipulators.

Being subject to the remorseless list and evil manipulations of someone who has decided to mess with your life would be both terrifying and demoralizing.

"if you hate a person you hate something in them that is a part of yourself.  What isn't a part of yourself does'nt disturb us." - Hermann Hesse 


WHY DO WE LET THEM TAKE ADVANTAGE OF US?

Sociopaths have a keen ability to sense our weaknesses.  They attack what Japanese Budo practitioners call Kosshi Points (vulnerable targets).  They attack our fears, insecurities and lack of confidence.


HOW DO WE DEAL WITH SOCIOPATHIC PEOPLE?

First, get your mind, spirit and body in the right place.  Begin by getting in touch with what Carl Gustave Jung called your shadow side, the darker regions of your subconscious.  This step is important, enables us to resist being exploited and gives us the strength to withstand tragedy and malevolence in order to fight back.  Learn to become a dangerous person.

Next study yourself, what make you unique?  Where do your values come from?  Why do you do things the way you do?  Develop your self confidence and self esteem in order to confront you fears.
Pay attention to your talents, achievements and advantages.
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Set goals for yourself, start with small ones first, and then build upon your success.  Achieving your goals would be your ticket out of your undesirable situation.  Treat your conversations with a sociopath like a battlefield.  Your words and your ideas are your weapons.




Pick your battles. "You will never reach your destination, if you stop and throw rocks at every dog that barks". - Winston Churchill. 

If you have observed these traits in an individual and believe that person is a sociopath, beware of having an emotional response during your confrontation with them. A sociopath will take them as weaknesses and try to use them against you. Sometimes its best not to meet a hostile force head on, instead roll with the punches until you find the opportunity to strike.

When confronting a sociopath assume a relaxed posture, breath naturally, and be sure to take a moment before you answer them in order to compose yourself and contemplate your best response.  Stay alert and try not to be intimidated.

  As George Harrison once sang "beware of darkness" 

bout the Author:  
Judd Bank is the President of CPI Investigations and a life long Martial Artist.
http://www.privatedetectiveny.com

ENDURING LIFE

I believe that all bad fortune can be conquered through endurance, courage and hope.

In life we can't control what's happening but we can strive to control the way we respond to what's happening.  Nothing, except our thoughts, is totally in our control.  We can create our misery or joy independent of our surroundings.

Certain aspects of the future are out of our control.  Concern yourself with what is in your control.


LEARNING FROM ZEN ARCHERY

A Zen Archer will practice proper breathing, good form and concentration.  He can buy the finest bows and the most exquisite arrows.  These things are in his control, Once he releases his arrow, he must let it fly.  At this point many outside variables can influence the outcome.   Wind, terrain, the weather; these things can effect the arrow's flight. Since the Archer cannot completely adjust for all these variables before he shoots his arrow, they are not in his control.  He should embrace and accept what is not in his control.

Of course validation comes from hitting the target, it is the successful conclusion to a task. The Archer should not find his self-worth  from hitting the bullseye.  I am not saying that there is not much to learn from failure (perhaps everything worth learning) only that his validation should not depend on his success, just his betterment.

INNER JOURNEY

If you should decide to heroically embark in a journey of self analysis you might find it painful.  Use the pain to take action, make the changes that are necessary to prevent yourself from living a sort of blissfully dissatisfied life, or what the group Pink Floyd referred to as being "comfortably numb."

Do not regard hardships or adversity as misfortunes, instead view them as learning experiences.
Excessive worry about the future causes anxiety.  Embrace you fate and enjoy life.

BETRAYAL

Sometimes in relationships or friendships, we project our feelings unto other people.  We think that if we care so much about someone that person should feel the same way about us.  We delude ourselves.  Some people's brains are wired differently.  They will lie to your face without any qualms.  They will cheat you, deceive you and attempt to destroy your wellbeing.  They are only motivated by their own desires. We get blindsided and are vulnerable because we have exposed our inner self to them.  What should we do when we experience betrayal?  It is best to let go. Don't fight for resolution, don't ask for explanations and don't pursue answers. There is a time to cross over bridges and there is a time to burn them down and build new ones.

CONCLUSION

Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.  Pay attention to even the most  smallest details in life.  Be open minded to new ideas and remain flexible in your thoughts.  Treat all your endeavors with care, focus, intensiveness and passion.

In the words of Masaaki Hatsumi, founder of the bujinkan  "gambatte" (keep going)
















About the Author: 

Judd Bank is the President of CPI Investigations and a life long Martial Artist.
http://www.privatedetectiveny.com