Neal Rawls is the author of "Be Alert, Be Aware, Have A Plan: The Complete Guide To Protecting Yourself, Your Home, Your Family" (The Lyons Press), and co-author of "Security: Protecting People, Property and Profits," to be published in summer, 2006.

Rawls earned a bachelor's degree in criminology from Florida State University and a master's degree in criminal justice from Nova Southeastern University.  He was a sergeant with the Delray Beach, Florida Police Department.  During his police career, he made an impressive number of felony arrests, including robbers, smugglers, rapists and murderers. 

He received 14 commendations, led a tactical unit for in-progress crimes, was civil defense liaison for his department, and Public Information Officer.  He was an instructor at the Palm Beach County Police Academy and Palm Beach Community College, teaching firearms; pursuit and defensive driving; surveillance; arrest, search and seizure; and the use of personal defensive weapons.

In 1981, Rawls went into private industry as a personal bodyguard for a corporate executive.  He was promoted to director of security for the corporation, charged with designing and developing security protocols for company offices worldwide.  He became a private consultant in 1997. Rawls is a Level III Homeland Security Specialist certified through the American College of Forensic Examiners International, and a member of the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS).

Rawls writes a weekly security advice column, The Security Adviser, which is syndicated in several newspapers across the country.