Has anyone ever heard of a company called Diligence (A Risk Management Firm), or its CEO, Daniel J Clayton? Diligence is located in Calgary Alberta Canada and is offering a few courses. http://www.diligenceltd.com/training.htm
I have been thinking of taking their HECPO program, but have never heard of this company in the main stream of training facilities.
I am looking for some info, so I can make a better informed decision.
Thanks.
I am a graduate of the Diligence HECPO course and can vouch for the course content and the instructors. On my course, there was 11 students and 9 of us graduated. The highlights of the course was definitely the CQB Phase, Resistance to Interrogation Module and the Anti-Ambush Driving Skills.
Instructors included former members of Britain’s Special Air Service (SAS), a former Canadian Special Operations Soldier (JTF2) and a former Israeli Special Forces Soldier (Sayeret). Also, one of the self-defense instructors was one of the advisers to the Bourne Movies in Improvised Weapons, a very enjoyable module of the course!
All-in-all, it was a very good course, the instructors were excellent and I was hired soon after graduating the course by Control Risks in Iraq. Currently on leave.
OK I went and took the HECPO (Hostile Environment Close Protection Operative) course.
The instructors were very approachable, and we were kept busy with little down time. The course is advertised as a 7 day 100 hour course. After the seven days I only clocked 67 hours of training. During some lectures it was stated that we would go into more detail later on in the week, but we never did. That was disappointing, as I thought there should have been more in-depth training in some of the modules.
If this is a course that might interest you, wait for a summer courses as it was cold and the airsoft equipment did not respond well to the cold.
I would highly recommend this course even with the short hours. I am sure that this would be rectified for future courses. Shadowforce.
Hi Shadowforce, glad you enjoyed the course, I certainly did when I attended.
On my course in October 2009, the course was advertised as 100-hours. Most days were around 12-hours of instruction, in the first 3-days we were also given about 2-3 hours of homework each night. On the Surveillance & Counter-Surveillance day, I remember we started at 0730 and finished at 2330. In total, the course was around 95 - 100-hours.
Perhaps you hit the nail on the head, maybe the short hours on the course was due to the cold? Either way, I would thoroughly recommend this course; the content is above and beyond what I expected when I signed-up for the course. Coming from an Airborne Infantry Unit, I can honestly say; the skill-craft taught by the Diligence instructors is some of the best training I have ever taken.
Granted, there are some improvements that need to be made; however the same can be said for any course, military or civilian. If you intend to attend further courses with Diligence or if you intend on recommending Diligence to others; maybe you should contact Danny Clayton and let him know of any changes/improvements you recommend. As you mentioned, all the instructors are very approachable; it can only improve an already excellent course.
I am intrigued, do you plan on attending further courses with Diligence? I am currently looking at their Surveillance & Counter-Surveillance course. I believe one of the instructors will be a former SAS soldier by the name of Mark. He was a Guest Speaker on my course, very knowledgeable and I found myself wanting to learn more from him.
Hi Int’l BG
We really did not have any home work to speak of. There were rumors of a test, but no written test was ever given.
I absolutely do plan on attending Diligence again. I would like to retake the HECPO course once again, but in warmer weather. I have recommended this course to a few people, and I know 2 will be doing it this summer. I am sure that as time goes on Daniel will fine tune an already positive course and make it even more challenging and add greater depth.
Thanks for your input. I really do appreciate it. Cheers.
Guys, just received an email from Diligence Training Services this morning. Their new website is now online: http://www.DiligenceTraining.com
Double post… sorry.
Well, it is time for someone with more than 4 posts joins in on this discussion. 
What was your background before attending? You seem to be implying that the course got your the job. I don’t want people thinking that if they attend this course, they will get a job over here if they have no military or LEO background. (EDIT- I just saw that you stated you are ex military)
I regards to CR, I hope you use it as a stepping stone to another company as soon as possible. But a job is a job as they say. There are a lot of former CR folks working with me right now.
I have never heard of Diligence, but they seem ok, at least from what they post their site.
You are right, I did not get the job due to the HECPO course I attended although having the certificate under my belt definitely helped; especially as the person who interviewed me at CR had served with the owner of Diligence.
As you know, in this industry, its about who you know, the experience you have, the training you have completed and ultimately; your integrity (and some luck).
In answer to your question, I am a former Airborne Soldier from the British Army. I can say, just by having that on my resume opened the door to CR for me when compared to someone applying with no military or law enforcement experience. However, having the HECPO certificate also helped and a reference from the owner of Diligence definitely helped a lot.
Ah, a former Para? We got a few on my team, and they are always taking the piss out of the bootnecks. Anyhow, send a PM sometime and I will fill you in on a few things regarding future work here. I bet you know some of the lads I work with.
If you ever need anything in terms of kit or medical, let me know.
PM inbound.