Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamar Kaplan Deranteriassian.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Tamar Kaplan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I think the earliest memory of wanting to work in law enforcement was when I watched Steven Soderbergh’s Out of Sight, where Jennifer Lopez plays a US Marshall clad in a Chanel suit and heels. In college, I studied history and aspired to apply to become a DEA agent. Unfortunately, I did not have the law enforcement background to make the cut. So I joined LA County Sheriff’s Department as a Reserve Deputy to gain the needed experience.
In the meantime, the need for female protection agents was rising. I was approached to work for a female dignitary and from referral after referral, I started working in the private sector. After almost 10 years of providing protection to diplomats, celebrities, and high-profile executives, I launched my own private security company called Doheny Security Services, based out of Beverly Hills.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Being a female in a male-dominated industry pushed me harder, especially in the early years. I didn’t mind being underestimated for my physical build but I did always have to struggle to get equal pay.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
My company provides several types of security services. We have the one-on-one executive protection specialists (“the bodyguards”) for high-profile clients, unarmed agents for private events such as movie premieres, red carpets, corporate and birthday parties, and armed and unarmed guards for location services such as construction sites, retail stores, schools, and places of worship.
Although we have both male and female agents, I have put together a solid team of female guards that I regularly use for women-oriented events. We recently provided security for Yola Dia, a women’s festival in LA, as well as for the grand openings and events for The Jane Club and The Wing WEHO. I am proud of my female agents and I even work the field with them if my schedule permits. I want my company to be different in terms of promoting a healthy work environment as well as having a long-lasting relationship with clients. We’re partnering with soteria. a safe space initiative, to have a presence at large-scale events and festivals.
What were you like growing up?
I was always a book nerd but never liked to do homework or pay attention in class. That changed in college and especially while I was in the academy, I had to focus in the classroom and follow rules. I’ve been an athlete from an early age, playing tennis, basketball, track and field, boxing. My personality has always been two-sided: Serious when there’s work to be done and laid-back on my time off.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dohenysecurityservices.com
- Phone: 310-866-9383
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @dohenysecurity
- Twitter: @dohenysecurity
Image Credit:
Kenneth Dolin photography, soteria.
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