By the Tullis Worldwide Protection team
Executive protection services in Alexandria, VA consist of a licensed security firm that ensures safety of executives, diplomats, celebrities and their offices through proper planning, trained personnel and timely action. In Virginia, any private security firm needs to have a license that is provided by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). Tullis Worldwide Protection has DCJS license #11-7307, provides its services for Alexandria as well as all other parts of Northern Virginia and offers free consultation on the matter. Please call us at 703-618-1273.
This is the brief introduction. The following parts of this guide will provide you with detailed information about how to choose a security company for yourself and what questions to ask.
What Is Executive Protection, and Who Needs It in Alexandria?
Executive protection (close protection or personal protection) is the systematic protection of a certain individual or a group. It is more than just bodyguard services with one person escorting their client. The quality protection requires planning days in advance to cover such aspects as the route, venue assessment, and potential risks.
The clientele seeking executive protection in Alexandria usually belongs to the following categories:
- Executives and company owners located or visiting the Carlyle, Eisenhower East, and Potomac Yard business districts
- Government contractors and consultants whose activities involve public engagement
- Diplomats and delegations traveling between Alexandria, Washington, DC, and the area surrounding these cities
- High-profile individuals and families residing in Old Town or its surroundings, in need of discreet and professional security
- Public personalities and speakers attending conventions, gala events, and other private gatherings
When in doubt about your situation and whether you should be considering executive protection or not, consider whether a stranger would be able to easily obtain your schedule details and plan a surprise visit. If you can answer this question with a yes, it is a good topic to discuss.
Why Alexandria Needs a Different Kind of Security Plan
Alexandria is not an ordinary suburb. This city stands opposite to Washington D.C. on the other side of the Potomac, and it defines all aspects of security there.
The historic, narrow streets of Old Town, active waterfront, and pedestrian flow make it impossible to drive a vehicle to the door. The entrance and exit strategies have to be thought through thoroughly for the event venues on King Street and the waterfront area. Furthermore, the office buildings in Carlyle and Eisenhower East accommodate many federal agencies, contractors, and associations, making the situation even more diverse and risky.
With the location next to Reagan National Airport, I-395, and Capital Beltway, it makes this city very active in terms of arrivals and departures. It means that the security plan developed for an ordinary office park in some other state will not work.
This is the reason why local experience is crucial for such a plan to be successfully developed.
Which Security Services Do Alexandria Clients Ask for Most?
Here’s how our most requested services match what we have available. You can visit their respective service pages for further information.
Executive Protection. Personal protection services provided by professionals trained in protecting executives, VIPs, HNWIs, celebrities and government representatives. Perfect solution for threats related to a certain person.
Corporate Security. Unobtrusive security at work locations and during corporate events in case of a disgruntled present or former employee. No fortified premises needed to ensure safety of the employees.
Workplace Violence Prevention. Help with creating a safe environment on the job regardless of the level of the threat – ranging from an unpleasant termination to an ongoing issue with a certain person.
Security Escorts. Personal protection agents escorting you wherever you go providing maximum mobility in combination with safety. Used for travel, events, public appearances.
Diplomatic Protection. Personal protection agents dedicated to the task of securing diplomats, points of contacts and representatives of the host delegation.
Corporate Investigations. Professional investigation specialists dealing with such issues as retail or warehouse theft, harassment complaints and ethics & compliance issues.
Disaster Relief Security. Fast-response teams for challenging physical/logistical missions.
Active Shooter Training. ALIVE training for those who want to know what to do on the very worst day. For information about organizational preparation, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) provides free preparedness guides.
Don’t know which one you need? No problem, most of our clients start off with a phone call, not a service name.
How Do You Know a Security Company in Alexandria Is Legitimate?
And this is the crucial issue, where people often fail. Several key questions that should be asked prior to hiring any agency:
- Verify the license. The state of Virginia controls private security firms through the Department of Criminal Justice Services. Ask the license number for your company. If there is armed security, each agent should also have his own individual license in addition to the company one. The license number of Tullis Worldwide Protection is DCJS #11-7307.
- Ask who will provide services. There are some agencies which present their best employees and provide whomever is free at the moment. We do not hire anyone. Almost all of our agents have been known to us beforehand; therefore, we know their personal qualities and skills.
- Consider the background. The history of Tullis Worldwide dates back to 2006. It was founded by Devin Tullis after about five years of traveling around the globe with diplomats and corporate executives. The agency has developed from a small firm providing executive protection to a world-wide company. You may read more on our About page and in the clients’ reviews.
Verify their standing in the industry. Standards set by professional organizations such as ASIS International are commonly accepted and recognized. A firm that complies with industry standards should feel at ease discussing them.- Listen carefully to their dialogue with you. An honest service provider will ask many questions about your schedule, concerns, and venue before providing any estimates. If someone gives you a quote within the first two minutes, think twice.
How Much Does Security Cost in Alexandria, VA?
Honest answer: it depends; if the price quoted is a flat figure without taking into account any information, then it’s just an assumption.
Pricing is determined by several key things:
- Level of threat. A regular corporate event is a completely different case from a real threat.
- Location of the work and its complexity.
- Length of time of the protection – one evening, a week, or a prolonged period of time.
- Number of agents and their armament or disarmament.
The pricing scheme is established during the first consultation, after the understanding of your needs. The consultation is free of charge.
How Quickly Can Protection Start?
Usually the same day. Based on your needs, we can often arrange for protection the same day that we conduct your initial interview. Disaster management and emergencies are our forte, so promptness of response is one of the qualities of our staff.
However, planning ahead works best for events. Whether you have a conference, moving, or an important meeting coming up in the next few days, giving us a call at least a week in advance would give us enough time to plan ahead.
Five Questions to Ask on Your First Call
Whatever person you decide to go for, here are some of the things that will help you make quick judgments about them:
- What is your DCJS license number, and can I check it out?
- How do you screen and select your agents?
- Who will be assigned to my task, and can I meet them before?
- How do you do advance planning and emergency planning?
- What do you do in case anything changes in my situation at the last moment?
What’s more important is the ease with which you get the answers.
Three Situations We See (Examples)
These scenarios are just examples based on typical requests and are not real clients.
The non-confrontational exit. A firm in Alexandria is firing an employee and expects him or her to react negatively. Rather than placing uniformed security guards at the entrance of the building, we will have a more discreet presence right there. Everyone stays relaxed, business continues, and all contingencies are covered.
The executive visit. The CEO arrives at Reagan National Airport for a two-day meeting schedule in Old Town and DC. Our people will make sure that everything from airport pick-up to route planning and location checks is taken care of, so he does not have to worry about logistics.
The celebrity event. An association is throwing its annual gala on the waterfront of Alexandria. Our staff will make sure that all celebrities get in without making a scene and without spoiling the party atmosphere.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of an executive protection agent?
The agent prepares and performs the protection of one particular individual. That involves pre-assessment of the sites and routes, direct protection, and rapid reaction to any kind of danger.
Is private security legal in Alexandria, VA?
Yes. Private security is legal and regulated in Virginia. The firms and guards should be licensed or registered via the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services.
Do you offer armed security in Alexandria, VA?
In case it is needed and in case the guards have the necessary certificates in Virginia, there is armed protection. If armed or unarmed protection suits you, it is up to your circumstances and we will discuss it during a free consultation.
What is the process to check a security company’s DCJS license in Virginia?
Ask for the company’s DCJS license number and verify it from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. Any genuine security firm would provide you with this immediately.
Can you give security services to someone having one-time events?
Yes, most of the time we are hired by clients for one-time services such as an event, travel, and meetings.
Are you available only in Alexandria?
No, we are available in Alexandria along with Northern Virginia and nationwide/internationally.
Is the first consultation for free?
Yes, it is true that we provide a free initial consultation for all of our clients.
Talk to Tullis Worldwide Protection
If safety is on your mind in Alexandria, you don’t need to have it all figured out before you reach out. Tell us what’s going on, and we’ll help you work out what’s actually needed.
- Call: 703-618-1273
- Email: devin@tullisworldwide.com
- Free consultation: Contact us here
- Questions first? Browse our FAQ page
- More reading: Visit the Tullis Worldwide blog
If you’re planning a visit and want to understand the area, Visit Alexandria is a good starting point, and the City of Alexandria and Alexandria Police Department sites cover local public safety information.