About IBA

The International Bodyguard Association

The I.B.A. is an international non-governmental organization (INGO) established in Paris in December 1957. The Associations primary objective is to train officers of government and corporate security in world class bodyguard techniques for protection. The training courses can only be attended by those men or women who are psychologically and physically healthy, and are who are of 25 years minimum age. Provided an individual has no criminal record they may enrol in the IBA training programme. Each IBA course is authenticated through a diploma issued to the trainee signed by the Director General and impressed with the legal seal of the International Bodyguard Association.

Worldwide Coverage

Founded in Paris in December 1957 by Major Lucien Victor Ott, a much decorated French Para-commando veteran, the International Bodyguard Association is the oldest and largest bodyguard association, with sites of protective service and education worldwide. The IBA has established itself as the premier world training organization for Bodyguards.

It has been at the forefront of Bodyguard education in the emerging Baltic and Balkan Republics, the European Union Security; in the new South Africa , in Afghanistan and throughout the new Russia , Ukraine , Kazakhstan and Mongolia . During 2004, the IBA in addition to their regular courses trained classes of Iraqi Police, Cambodian Police, elements of the US Army's 1 st Special Forces Group, Bodyguards for United Nations Security, Bodyguards and Drivers for the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

In 2005, IBA training was provided to the Thai National Police and Royal Thai Navy SEALS. Last year, the Mongolian Government organized an IBA course for their Special Forces, Central Intelligence Agency and the State Special Security Agency and Police SWAT unit. In the UK , IBA graduates were among the first to complete their training for the new state SIA CP licence . Training was completed through a partnership between the IBA and New College . Last year IBA graduates successfully and safely completed high risk PSD and CP missions in Iraq , Afghanistan , and South East Asia .

The IBA consistently provides the highest level of training to government, military, police and civilian Bodyguards. World-class security instructors give specialist training and guidance in a unique learning environment, helping bodyguards to develop professional skills and industry knowledge throughout their careers. The International Bodyguard Association's reputation for excellence is a result of nearly 50 years achievement in protective skills training.

History of the Association
The International Bodyguard Association was founded in Paris in December 1957 by Major Lucien Victor Ott, a much
decorated French Para-commando veteran. Lucien Ott was born and brought up within the French Foreign Legion in
Algeria. His grandfather killed in WW1 in the Dardanelles campaign served in the elite Chasseurs d'Afrique. Lucien's
father Victor served in the Spahi before joining the French Foreign Legion. Victor Ott became a senior NCO in the 1st
Foreign Legion Cavalry Regiment , wounded in the Riff wars he was invalided out on pension.

Lucien joined the newly formed French Para-commandos serving in the 2nd Demi-Brigade SAS in Indochina, then with
the 8 BCCP under Col Bigeard. He volunteered to parachute into Dien Bien Phu where he was wounded and captured
by the Viet Minh. He escaped and joined the GCMA a military intelligence operation organising Montagnard resistance
groups. After the war he transferred to the Deuxieme Bureau (Military Intelligence). In Marseillaise his friend Jim Alcheik
(of the French Secret Service) introduced him to Karate and Aiki Ju Jutsu training of the Yoseikan school under Tetsuki
Murikami.

Also in 1956 he was tasked with reviewing operational protective methods for French military VIPs. His review found that
the methods used internationally in bodyguarding were ineffective and outmoded. From this was born the Lucien Ott
protection method he called 'Defense & Security' He coined the phrase "protection rapprochée" which the UK's Royal
Military Police mistranslated as Close Protection.



Major Lucien V OTT

Lucien Ott founded the International Bodyguard Association as a think-tank for bodyguards and as their Association.
Lucien was working against terrorism in Algeria when he was selected by M. Tinet to form a personal bodyguard for
President de Gaulle at the height of the OAS crisis. Under the authority of General de Monssabert a group of ex-special
forces veterans were formed as "Les Gorilles". When Pompidou succeeded De Gaulle as President 'Les Gorilles' were
given the option of being absorbed by the Gendarmerie or leaving. Constant absence from his family while on duty led to
a divorce and seperation from his two children Veronique and Didier.
Lucien moved to Munich where he tried his hand as a 'Cascador' or stunt man and he established a Cascador school.
Soon, Lucien returned to bodyguarding celebrities from the world of the cinema. He was in demand from both Military
and Law Enforcement as a bodyguard instructor. In the mid-1970s he moved to Bruxelles and established his IBA
Acadmey 'Defence & Security' in Rue de l'Etoile in Uccle. In December 1989, Lucien was diagnosed with terminal cancer
and admitted to the Erasmus Institute in Anderlecht where he died in February 1990. At Lucien Ott's wish, he was
succeeded after his death in 1990 by his deputy who is the current Director General tasked with ensuring that the IBA
fulfills it's mission in training bodyguards in modern effective techniques.
James Shortt, the current D.G. was a student and protégé of Lucien Ott's and led IBA training teams to the Baltic
Republics, Afghanistan, Russia, Ukraine and Kazakstan.Training Teams were dispatched by the current Director General
to train UN Forces at Tuzla in Bosnia and elements of the Security Forces of the European Union (EEC).

He became the first outsider to train KGB (Crimea 1991) and started training for bodyguards (Government and
Corporate) in Poland (1988) Estonia (1989) Latvia and Lithuania (1990). He pioneered the IBA method in Russia,
Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. To date he has trained bodyguards on 5 continents including 36 countries.

James Shortt

James Shortt is the hereditary Colonel commandant of one of the oldest existing bodyguard formation in the world. The
Royal Galloglas Guard. Galloglas originated in Western Scotland and its isles from the warlike offspring of mixed Celtic
and Viking marriages. Following their success against the Anglo-Normans under Sir William Wallace and King Robert the
Bruce, they were established in Ireland at the turn of the 14th Century.

Code Of Professional Ethics As a member of the international Bodyguard Association (IBA), I acknowledge that it is my personal responsibility to further the professional development of myself and other men and women who serve in the protection industry. I will always exhibit the highest level of integrity in the performance of my professional duties, and I will carry out my responsibilities with professional competence. I will not engage in any unethical or illegal conduct, or in any activity that could jeopardize my responsibilities. I undertake to refrain from using narcotic or intoxicating substances that might hinder my judgement and my ability to perform my duties to the fullest of my abilities. I will keep an open mind and commit myself to the pursuit of knowledge and information for the purpose of discovering new methods and systems. I will always be honest when dealing with my principals, fellow Bodyguards, the International Bodyguard Association (IBA) it's members and officers, business associates and all others, and I will uphold the standards established by our founder, Lucien Victor Ott. I acknowledge that a great deal of trust and responsibility has been given to me and I know that I must dedicate myself in the furtherance of the bodyguard profession and those whom I am sworn to protect. I will always acknowledge the fact I am a member of a truly unique international organization and I will not hold any animosity or discriminate against another IBA member based solely on ethnic origin (Nationality or Skin Color), gender or religious persuasion (Creed). I will be truthful in representing myself to my principals, potential employers and fellow members of the IBA. Further I will not misrepresent my Capabilities, or myself. I will not misrepresent myself as a Instructor or any other officer of the IBA nor will I teach bodyguard skills to any person as such until I have received written permission of the Director General of the IBA. Lastly, I will commit myself to attaining excellence in all areas of the bodyguard profession.