It has been only hours since Charlie Kirk died from a wound inflicted by an assassin who remains at large as I write this article. Like the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, this tragedy calls for us to pause and reflect in real time on what can be done if your agency is thrust into a similar situation.
For law enforcement, the question is not whether these incidents will occur again but whether agencies will be prepared when they do. Protecting a public figure under threat requires more than routine security — it demands planning, resources and a willingness to learn from past failures.
The lessons below outline critical steps agencies can take to strengthen their ability to safeguard targeted individuals and prevent future tragedies.
| RELATED: What we can learn about event security from the Charlie Kirk assassination
Secure the high ground
If you are part of a security effort, one of the first things you can take control of is the high ground. If there is a roof overlooking the event that gives a person a commanding view, place someone from your team on it with optics, communications and the ability to reach out and touch someone.
Train true executive protection specialists
When your agency is assigned to protect any prominent person whose life has been threatened, it is imperative that the planners have training and experience in security for such circumstances. It is also imperative that every officer executing the plan knows exactly what the threats are and their area of responsibility to ensure safety.
Maintain responsibility even if private security is present
Just because an individual has “his own people” for security purposes does not mean an agency should surrender responsibility for ensuring an event is completed safely.
When something bad happens in your jurisdiction at an event where there were prior threats of violence, the fact that the victim had his own security will be of little consequence. After someone drives into a crowd from an unprotected area or opens fire on the crowd from an unsecured rooftop, the question “How could such a thing happen?” will be directed at the police department, not the private security team.
Staff adequately for complex events
Large-scale events with high-profile speakers demand more than a handful of officers. Agencies must have enough trained personnel to accomplish the following all while remaining ready for unexpected threats:
- Establish a communications and command post.
- Establish a secure outer perimeter.
- Screen and secure the ground level, windows and rooftops surrounding the venue.
- Screen all attendees.
- Conduct crowd control.
- Establish a secure inner perimeter around the speaker.
- Provide close-in protection of the speaker.
- Respond to any reports of thefts, fights or disorderly conduct.
- Identify, respond to and stop any threats arising during the event.
- Process and transport any persons arrested during the event.
Expecting too few officers to perform all these tasks is setting them up for failure. Agencies must plan ahead, allocate adequate staffing, and, when necessary, call for mutual aid to meet the demands of the event. Harden the target and it probably will not become a target.
Conduct a pre-event briefing
Prior to a high-risk event, there must be a pre-event briefing with the team to elicit any input about shortcomings or blind spots so changes and additions can be made before the event.
Be tactically skilled and properly armed
It is imperative that every officer in a protection detail be better prepared to protect with a weapon than an assassin is to kill with theirs.
Commanders planning for protection details must do the tactical math and realize that an assassin with a long gun at 200 yards will be better prepared to kill than an officer at 200 yards equipped only with a brave heart and a handgun will be prepared to protect. Properly arm your people.
Believe it can happen here
One hundred percent of the personnel involved in event security must believe that “It can happen here” and be determined every moment they are at the event that “It won’t happen here.”
We live in a 360-degree world. Get into a position of advantage, where you have an impressive view of the entire event as well as the ability to respond quickly to threats in your area. During this event is a time to be hyper-suspicious, hyper-vigilant and hyper-ready for anything. Be equipped to immediately respond to and communicate developing threats.
Hang up your political affiliation
No matter what side of the aisle the person you are protecting is on, hang your political preferences up in your locker. You must be completely focused on the protection of the person regardless of their party affiliation.
Conclusion
There is no way of knowing where or when, but one thing is certain: what has happened will happen again. Prepare to be prepared.
May God embrace Charlie Kirk and give him wings.
Tactical takeaway
Strong event security comes from anticipating threats, assigning clear roles and rehearsing responses before the crowd arrives.
What is your biggest concern around event security? Share below.
Police1 event security resources
- How local law enforcement can prevent political violence against public officials
- 12 key lessons from the Secret Service preliminary report on the July 2024 Trump assassination attempt
- History of presidential assassinations reminds us what has happened can happen again
- The good, the bad and the ugly: An assessment of the response to the Trump assassination attempt
- Proactive preparedness: Essential tactics for local law enforcement in executive protection
- Planning for the worst-case scenario at public events
| WATCH: Gordon Graham on planning for the worst-case scenario at public events
