Guidance

Ministry of Defence Police: specialist units

Published 21 May 2014

Specialist units

In addition to providing dedicated site based complements at various defence sites, the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) has a number of specialist units that can be deployed in support of local resources, or to meet specific operational requirements.

Operational support units

The core task of the MDP Operational Support Units (OSU) is to support the movement of nuclear materials and weapons in the UK. However, the OSU is also capable of augmenting any MDP tasking (excepting in certain specialist roles such as marine policing) and is also the primary source of the MDP response to any national operational emergency that is within their capabilities.

All OSU officers are authorised firearms officers, and are trained to exacting and high standards on multiple weapons systems. Whether armed or unarmed, they have the training and capability to support or respond to any incidents, whether pre-planned or spontaneous, which occur on the MOD estate.

Search

All OSU officers are search-trained and are nationally accredited by the Police National Search Centre. Officers are able to conduct offensive and defensive searches within a range of environments, and are capable of being deployed alongside police dogs in order to assist with searches of vehicles and buildings.

Public order

All OSU officers are level one trained in public order (the highest standard) and can provide Police Support Units to deal with protester activity that may escalate and become violent.

As part of this public order capability, the OSU can deploy method of entry teams to secure access to premises to arrest occupants, or search and secure evidence.

Rope access and protester removal teams

OSU officers are trained in rope access and confined spaces techniques, enabling an effective response to spontaneous incidents and demonstrations at defence locations where protesters blockade entry or exit points, or scale high level buildings or structures.

All members of the rope access teams are trained to national standards and are able to use an extensive range of cutting equipment. They can also be tasked with searching areas at height.

Marine policing

MDP marine units are responsible for the waterborne security of HM naval bases at Devonport, Portsmouth and on the Clyde. MDP has the largest number of craft, both rigid inflatable boats (RIBS) and launches, of any police force in the UK.

Marine officers exercise their constabulary powers in UK territorial waters in relation to Crown property. They escort and protect Royal Navy warships and submarines within the Dockyard ports and keep secure the waterfronts of the naval bases and associated support sites.

Arms Explosives Search (AES) dogs support MDP marine officers who are searching vessels for stowage of firearms or ammunition, and drugs detection dogs are used for locating concealed illegal substances.

Policing with dogs

The MDP Dog Unit is the largest user of police dogs in the UK with over 200 fully trained police dogs and handlers across the MOD. The majority of dogs used are “general purpose” police dogs, employed to contribute an additional policing and security dimension. The dogs are trained to search for property (evidence), to search and track persons, and to aid their handlers by restraining persons.

Police dogs are used for high security patrols at some MOD locations and MDP dog teams are the only police dog teams in the UK to carry out high risk explosives searches.

Many dogs are trained in specialised areas:

• tactical firearms support
• arms, explosive search (AES)
• drugs detection and vehicle search

The tactical firearms support dog is deployed as a tactical “less than lethal” option at any incident where there is the possibility that lethal force might be required.

The arms explosive search dogs (AES) are a high profile, effective deterrent used as a pro-active response to the threat from terrorist activity.

Drug detection dogs will carry out searches of buildings, vehicles and vessels for the detection of all types of controlled drugs.

MDP dogs are provided by the Defence Animal Centre at Melton Mowbray where both handlers and dogs are trained. Canine welfare is a priority. The practices and procedures involved in the treatment, care, training and employment of MDP dogs are constantly appraised and reviewed.

Central support groups

These are deployed regionally to reinforce and augment the protective security arrangements at certain defence sites, and to support dedicated MDP complements where extra resources are required to meet customer requirements.