Ahead of Risk.

See what others overlook.

Independent physical security intelligence for leaders responsible for people, property, and operations.

Rook & Compass evaluates how your systems, procedures, and security personnel work together, including in-house teams and contracted guard services. We identify vulnerabilities, establish priorities, and give leadership a practical path forward, whether you are strengthening existing protections or building your security approach from the ground up.

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IndependentVendor-NeutralConfidential

Assess

Advise

Advance

The R&C
Perspective

The right security decision begins with a clearer understanding of the environment.

Equipment alone cannot resolve an incomplete picture of risk. We evaluate how people, property, procedures, and existing safeguards work together, then translate what we find into priorities leadership can act on.

Know the environment. Understand the exposure. Make the right next move.

Our Work

Clarity for the
decisions ahead.

A focused assessment. An ongoing advisory relationship. Specialized support when a particular decision calls for it.

Security Posture Assessment

Understand where you stand.

Organizations that want an independent review of existing security systems, procedures, and personnel, or a clear baseline for building a new security approach.

Assess
- Environment and operations
- Existing safeguards
- Vulnerabilities and exposure
Advise
- Prioritized recommendations
- Options and tradeoffs
- Leadership briefing
Advance
- 30 / 60 / 90 roadmap
- Compass Register
- Clear responsibilities

From findings to follow-through

The Compass Register

Every assessment concludes with a structured decision and accountability register: priorities, recommended actions, responsible parties, status, and planning horizon.

What needs attention.
What happens next.
Who owns it.
Where it stands.

A practical path forward

A confidential report, executive summary, and leadership briefing explain what matters, why it matters, and what to address first. Your roadmap connects the findings with action.

What’s included

Pre-engagement kickoff and written scope confirmation
Review of agreed plans, policies, incident history, and security records
Onsite observation of the included property, routines, and security controls
Focused interviews with designated leaders and personnel
Analysis of access, surveillance, emergency preparedness, environmental conditions, and operational vulnerabilities
Confidential full report and executive summary
Prioritized findings, practical recommendations, and supporting visuals when appropriate
30/60/90-day roadmap, Compass Register, and leadership findings presentation

The assessment is a complete, standalone engagement. Ongoing advisory is optional. Deliverables, timing, and fees are agreed in writing before work begins.

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Context Matters

Environments We Understand

Places of Worship

Open access without unnecessary exposure. Worship, events, and volunteer responsibilities considered together.

Private Schools

Security built around students, parents, staff, and the realities of daily movement.

Multi-Use Campuses

One property. Multiple populations. Overlapping responsibilities across faith-based and shared campuses.

Businesses

Protect people and operations without disrupting either. Practical guidance for access, property, and everyday procedures.

Based in Fort Myers and serving organizations throughout Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties.

Our Team

Field Experience.
Strategic Perspective.

Different backgrounds. One objective: give leadership a clearer understanding of risk and a practical way forward.

Founder & Principal Security Consultant

Eric M. Sargente

Physical Security Operations & Organizational Risk

More than a decade of licensed physical security experience, including current protective work at a local church and private school. Eric connects the realities of daily operations with the priorities and decisions facing leadership.

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Eric M. Sargente is the founder of Rook & Compass and a licensed armed security professional with more than a decade of practical experience safeguarding people, property, and operations. He currently provides armed protective services at a local church and private school, protecting children, staff, congregants, visitors, and property while supporting daily security operations and emergency preparedness. His broader experience spans protective services, secured transportation, emergency management, and private, commercial, educational, and disaster response environments.

This direct experience closely reflects the people, properties, and operational challenges Rook & Compass is designed to help protect. Eric brings a practical perspective informed by field experience to every risk mitigation effort. He identifies visible risks, uncovers overlooked vulnerabilities, and translates those findings into realistic improvements. His guiding philosophy is simple: Assess. Advise. Advance. This approach helps clients strengthen preparedness, reduce exposure, and make informed security decisions.

Security Consultant

Eric M. Popovic

Protective Planning & Operational Readiness

A former United States Reconnaissance Marine with experience in protective services, instruction, and personnel readiness. Eric brings an operational perspective to protective planning and the practical demands of preparedness.

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Eric M. Popovic is an experienced security professional, instructor, and former United States Reconnaissance Marine whose background spans military operations, protective services, emergency response, and 13 years of firearms instruction. For the past five years, he has trained sworn law enforcement officers from across the nation in dignitary protection, strengthening his expertise in threat evaluation, protective planning, personnel development, and operational readiness.

At Rook & Compass, Eric applies this experience to identify vulnerabilities, evaluate risk, and develop practical mitigation strategies that strengthen the protection of people, property, and operations. His disciplined approach, focused on safety, helps clients improve preparedness, make informed security decisions, and respond effectively when circumstances change.

Common Questions

Before we begin.

Scope, preparation, confidentiality, and what to expect from an engagement.

Where should we begin?

Start with a consultation about your organization, property, and the decisions you need help making. Most clients begin with a Security Posture Assessment. Advisory can also follow another suitable baseline. We confirm scope, preparation, timing, and fees in a written proposal before work begins.

What will leadership receive?

A confidential report and executive summary, prioritized findings, practical recommendations, supporting visuals when appropriate, a 30/60/90-day roadmap, and the Compass Register. A leadership briefing explains the findings, tradeoffs, and next steps. Deliverables reflect the agreed scope.

How do you keep recommendations independent?

Rook & Compass provides physical security consulting and advisory. We do not sell equipment or guard contracts. Recommendations are based on your environment, exposure, and priorities; you retain authority over decisions and contract directly with any implementation vendors.

How is sensitive information handled?

Project information and reports are limited to authorized recipients identified by the client, with delivery and retention procedures agreed for the engagement. Keep initial inquiries general. Sensitive records and vulnerability details belong in an agreed method of exchange, not the public form.

How much time will our team need?

We agree the onsite schedule, operating periods, contacts, records, and expected delivery date before work begins. Observation and interviews are coordinated with designated personnel and access restrictions. Exercises, after-hours observation, and additional activities are agreed in advance.

Is ongoing advisory required?

No. The assessment is a complete, standalone engagement. Security Advisory is optional and separately contracted for 12 months, with monthly leadership reviews, Compass Register maintenance, quarterly posture reviews, and an annual high-level progress reassessment. New full assessments, onsite visits, and specialized projects are scoped separately.

Begin the Conversation

What is your next security decision?

Tell us about your organization and what you want to achieve. A general overview is all we need to begin.

We’ll discuss your priorities and the right scope of work, then provide a written proposal with deliverables, timing, and fees.