From the Publisher
Online death threats are depressingly common. But how do you separate them into those issued by sheer fantasists, and those coming from someone with genuinely deadly intent? In Personal Threat Management, Philip Grindell explains how to spot the difference - and what to do when you realise someone really does pose a threat. Timely and valuable to anyone in the public eye. - Richard Madeley, writer and broadcaster.
This book will be a valuable resource for individuals beginning in Behavior Threat Assessment (BTA) or those who have been practicing for years.
Based on his years of experience in successfully assessing and managing numerous cases Philip has put together best practice examples in an informative and understandable manner. I would recommend this book to Law Enforcement, Mental Health, Security Professionals, Attorneys, Human Resource Professionals, and anyone who is currently working on a BTA Team or those putting a team together. - William J. Zimmerman, Detective U.S. Capitol Police- Threat Assessment Section (Retired)
Philip is an unusual combination of an academic and operational expert and anyone interested in protecting themselves or others should read this book - Neil Basu QPM, former head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing
Abuse, intimidation, and threats are sad facts of life in the modern world. How should you respond to them? Should you be worried about escalation to physical harm? How should you protect your clients and their families or co-workers? Philip Grindell discusses how the process of behavioural threat assessment can help to answer these and related questions. The perspective he offers is highly practical, based on decades of field experience. If you want to prevent people from becoming victims of violence, put this book on your reading list. - Dr Stephen D. Hart, PhD, Director and Threat Assessment Specialist, President, Canadian Association of Threat Assessment Professionals
For those advising individuals and organisations on threat risks, it's essential to understand who and what one is dealing with. Philip Grindell’s decades of real-world experience mean his voice is ignored at your and (more importantly) your client’s peril. - Julian Pike, Lawyer and Head of Reputation Management and Sport at Farrer & Co.
Philip Grindell brings 30 years as a police officer matched with years in threat assessment and management, to bear in a book that everyone involved in the protection of public figures should get their hands on. Practical, rather than academic, Philip’s work covers a number of well-known case studies involving public figures, from angles previously not looked at. I believe that I would have benefited from such insights in the time that I served and protected the most famous person in the world. - Rory Stein, formerly Nelson Mandela's bodyguard, Co-Founder, NSA Global Security Consultants.
If you are serious about security, you will find some great insights in Personal Threat Management: The Practitioner’s Guide to Keeping Clients Safer. Phil Grindell’s professional experience and practical, real-world strategies are evident in every chapter, offering clear, actionable advice for tackling modern security challenges. Whether you’re dealing with physical security, online threats, or crisis management, this book is a comprehensive and useful guide to keeping people and assets safe. - G.B Jones, Chief Safety and Security Officer, FIFA World Cup 2026, former FBI Special Agent
Philip Grindell is one of the few threat assessment experts in the world with extensive experience advising public figures, politicians, and royal families. In The Practitioner’s Guide to Keeping Clients Safer, Grindell educates on the science of threat assessment and the nuanced art of managing victim fear. His compassionate view of ensuring clients feel safer demonstrates why his expertise is in demand. This is a book for threat assessment practitioners by a true practitioner. - Gabrielle Thompson, Threat Assessment Expert & Consultant to Public Figures and Corporations
Informed by the author’s professional experiences and illustrated with dozens of real-life case studies, Personal Threat Management provides its readers with a solid introduction to today’s threat management principles and practices. The book is easily read and readily understandable as Grindell explains basic concepts and practical approaches to keeping individuals safe. Personal Threat Management is essential reading for anyone seeking to distinguish between those who make a threat and those who pose a threat. - Frederick S. Calhoun, author Effective Threat Management: A Primer
I highly recommend the book Personal Threat Management—The Practitioner’s Guide to Keeping Clients Safer by Philip Grindell for anyone interested in threat management. He is a real security expert and practitioner who writes clearly and intelligently, which allows for immediate comprehension of complex concepts. Well done, Philip! - James Hamilton, former FBI Special Agent and Recognized Personal Security Expert
I met Philip Grindell in February 2019 after he had set up the team in Parliament after the murder of my sister Jo in June 2016. Philip has been a huge help in advising both The Jo Cox Foundation and me personally on any concerns regarding safety and security. He is one of the world’s leading advisers on personal threat risks and this book is a significant resource to anyone involved in helping others feel safer. - Kim Leadbeater - Member of Parliament for Spen Valley (sister of Jo Cox MP)
- If you want to know about Personal Threat Management, then there is no one else to read but Phillip Grindell! Phillip seamlessly integrates his vast experience, gravitas and knowledge to provide a powerful read from which all security professionals can gain vital knowledge and understanding. Thoughtfully, humbly and practically, the author takes us on a journey through the intricacies of understanding threat and risk so we can start to develop our senses to manage different situations where we could be vulnerable. This book would have been invaluable to me 30 years ago when I began my security career, and I regularly turn to Phillip for subject matter advice. I’m very proud to see him commit his wise thoughts and expertise on to paper. I can recommend this book as there is simply no other out on the market that in my opinion contains the academic refinement and practical advice that this does on the subject. Understanding and recognising is everything, the security sector will provide a better service to our clients because of this book! - Guy Batchelor MBA, CTRM, MSyl, VR Director, Minerva Elite Ltd. 22 SAS Regiment. (Retired)
Personal Threat Management is a great primer for those new to threat assessment, written in a very accessible style and packed with immediately useful information. Security expert Philip Grindell nicely clarifies often misunderstood key terms and concepts, illustrating them with numerous case examples and illuminating important nuances in decision-making. His text reflects his many years of field experience combined with a firm grasp of contemporary research on the assessment of threats, offering a clear standard of professionalism for those facing the many challenges in our expanding global landscape of risks. I applaud his sensitivity to clients' fear but with his emphasis that the primary avenue for reducing concerns is through sound threat assessment and management practice. This book is particularly useful in meeting the needs of practitioners in the UK and other European countries, where cultural, legal, and organizational factors will differ from those in the USA. Grindell's style is refreshingly personal, as though the reader is sitting down with him and just listening to his many nuggets of wisdom and guidance. - Stephen White, Ph.D. Threat assessment expert and author, and former president of Work Trauma Services, Inc.
In this timely work, the author delivers a masterclass in threat assessment, management, and personal safety. Drawing from a wealth of experience in law enforcement and security, the book offers invaluable insights into the minds of fixated individuals and the escalation of threatening behaviour.
What sets this book apart is its comprehensive approach, blending historical examples with contemporary cases to illustrate the evolving nature of threats. The author's emphasis on ‘intuition’ as a critical safety tool is compelling, providing readers with practical strategies to enhance their situational awareness.
From dissecting pathways of escalating threats to exploring the nuances of high-stakes situations, this book equips security professionals, business leaders, and potential targets with the knowledge to identify, assess, and manage potential dangers effectively. This is not just a book; it's an essential guide for navigating the complex landscape of personal and professional security in our modern world. It is a must-read for anyone serious about threat assessment, management, and personal safety. - Dr Lorraine Sheridan, PhD Forensic Psychologist, Adjunct Associate Professor in Psychology, author Psycho-Criminological Approaches to Stalking Behaviour: An International Perspective
Philip first became active in my protection following a series of newspaper stories which led to extensive hostility and threats on social media and internationally. When something like this happens, you feel vulnerable at every level. Philip has spent decades helping others like me feel safer, and this book reflects that wealth of experience and expertise. While written for security professionals, it is equally useful for public figures operating in an increasingly hostile environment. I look forward to adding it to my library and encouraging others in Parliament to read it. - Sarah Champion: Member of Parliament for Rotherham and the first female Chair of the International Development Select Committee.
Personal Threat Management: The Practitioner’s Guide to Keeping Clients Safer by Philip Grindell is an essential and timely resource for professionals in the field of security and safety. Written by a seasoned expert with deep operational experience, this guide offers a comprehensive and practical framework for understanding and mitigating threats faced by high-profile clients. From political figures to business leaders and celebrities, Grindell’s insights demystify the complex world of personal safety and protective intelligence.
The book is structured to provide both theoretical understanding and actionable strategies. Part 1 explores various threats, ranging from communicated threats and unwanted attention to the more severe risks of workplace violence and fixated threats. Through real-life case studies, Grindell illustrates how these dangers manifest and offer readers invaluable advice on assessing the level of risk, identifying behavioral indicators, and responding effectively.
Part 2 shifts focus to practical threat management, giving readers the tools needed to gather intelligence, remain situationally aware, and handle escalating threats. Not only does Grindell emphasize the importance of trusting one’s intuition, but he also stresses the critical need to avoid complacency, particularly in high-stakes environments. His use of actual client experiences, though anonymized, adds real-world gravitas to the text, allowing readers to visualize how these scenarios play out in practice.
This book is more than just a reference—it is a guide to proactive threat management. Grindell's insights into the psychology behind fixated behaviors, the role of social media in facilitating unwanted attention, and the fine line between security and safety are indispensable for professionals. "Personal Threat Management" is an essential read for anyone charged with protecting individuals in an increasingly complex world. It will empower its readers to not only safeguard their clients but to ensure they feel safer in the process. - Totti Karpela, CTM, CETAP, Threat Assessment Specialist and former police officer, National Police of Finland
