Specialist Protection

Specialist Protection
Name	Specialist Protection
Jurisdiction	United Kingdom
Headquarters	London
Parent agency	Metropolitan Police Service

Specialist Protection. It is a command within the Metropolitan Police Service responsible for providing close personal protection to high-risk individuals, including members of the British Royal Family, senior government ministers, and other designated persons. The unit operates under the umbrella of the Metropolitan Police Specialist Firearms Command (MO19) and is distinct from the parliamentary and diplomatic protection functions. Its officers are highly trained in defensive driving, firearms tactics, and threat assessment to mitigate risks in both the United Kingdom and overseas.

Overview

The unit is a key component of the national protective security architecture, working in close coordination with other agencies such as the Security Service (MI5) and the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). Its remit extends beyond static security, involving dynamic protection for principals during travel, public engagements, and residence. Specialist Protection often interfaces with the Royalty and Specialist Protection command and the Household Cavalry during state events at locations like Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Westminster. The command’s work supports the continuity of government, a principle tested during events like the London Bridge attack and the COVID-19 pandemic.

History

The origins of dedicated protective units within the Metropolitan Police Service can be traced to the formation of the Special Branch in the late 19th century, initially focused on Irish republican threats. Modern close protection evolved significantly after the Assassination of Lord Mountbatten in 1979 and the Brighton hotel bombing targeting Margaret Thatcher in 1984. The formalization of the command accelerated following the recommendations of the Butler Review and in response to the heightened threat from Provisional Irish Republican Army campaigns and, later, al-Qaeda. Its development parallels advancements in other national units like the United States Secret Service and Israel's Shin Bet.

Roles and responsibilities

Primary duties include conducting advance security surveys for venues such as 10 Downing Street, Chequers, and Windsor Castle, and planning secure transport routes. Officers provide armed close protection to principals including the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and visiting foreign dignitaries under arrangements with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. They also support major security events like the G7 summit and the Trooping the Colour ceremony. The command maintains a constant readiness to respond to incidents, collaborating with the British Armed Forces in extreme scenarios.

Training and selection

Selection is open to experienced officers from the Metropolitan Police Service and other Home Office forces, involving rigorous psychological assessment and physical tests. Successful candidates undergo intensive courses at the Police Service of Northern Ireland training facility or the Defence College of Policing and Guarding. Training modules include evasive driving on circuits like those at Millbrook Proving Ground, advanced firearms proficiency with weapons such as the Glock 17, and medical training akin to that of Royal Army Medical Corps personnel. Continuous professional development involves exercises with partners like the Special Air Service and the Royal Marines.

Equipment and vehicles

Officers are typically armed with Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine guns and SIG Sauer pistols, and may utilize Taser International devices. Protective vehicles are modified versions of models from Jaguar Land Rover and BMW, often fitted with B6 or B7 ballistic armor, run-flat tires, and secure communications systems. These convoys are sometimes supplemented by motorcycles from the Metropolitan Police Service's Traffic Operational Command Unit. For overseas missions, equipment may be transported via Royal Air Force aircraft such as the Airbus A330 MRTT.

Notable operations and incidents

The unit has been deployed during numerous high-profile events, including the 2011 England riots and the 2017 Westminster attack. It managed the security for Queen Elizabeth II during the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II and the State funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Its protocols were tested during the G20 London summit protests and the Manchester Arena bombing aftermath. The command also played a role in protecting principals during international visits to conflict zones, coordinating with agencies like the Australian Secret Intelligence Service and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

Category:Metropolitan Police Service Category:Law enforcement in the United Kingdom