Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection
.jpg)
Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection (PaDP) is a branch of the Protection Command within the Specialist Operations directorate of London's Metropolitan Police Service.[1] It was formed in April 2015, with the merger of the Diplomatic Protection Group (SO6) and the Palaces of Westminster (SO17). Due to its responsibilities PaDP is an armed command with most of its officers being Authorised Firearms Officers.
Role
PaDP is responsible for the following: °Protection of embassies, missions and the parliamentary estate °Residential protection for high profile ministers, visiting heads of state, heads of government and foreign ministers. °Counter reconnaissance at events identified as high risk, diplomatic functions or key sites. °Searching and access control of visitors and vehicles to New Scotland Yard and Downing Street
The primary responsibility of PaDP is the safety and security of London's diplomatic/governmental communities and parliamentary estate. The unit provides protection for foreign missions in London, such as embassies, high commissions, consular sections and official residencies in accordance with Article 22 of the Vienna Convention 1961. PaDP also provide the protection and keep order on the Parliamentary Estate to ensure both the House of Commons and House of Lords can conduct their business without disruption.
PaDP protect the diplomatic community in London, providing residential protection for Her Majesty's Government, former prime ministers, government ministers, visiting foreign government ministers and heads of state and anyone else deemed to be high risk. They also provide protection at high profile buildings such as New Scotland Yard and where necessary PaDP will provide armed protection at hospitals for patients at threat as well as hospital staff.
PaDP also provide the physical security of the Palace of Westminster working closely with the House Authorities Sergeant at Arms (House of Commons) and Black Rod (House of Lords) to provide around the clock security every day of the year. Officers patrol the building and its grounds and control access of people and vehicles onto the Estate. There is a dedicated search wing, trained to conduct counter-terrorism searches.
History and notable incidents
PaDP was created via the merger of the Diplomatic Protection Group (DPG)(SO6) and the Palaces of Westminster (SO17)
When the Diplomatic Protection Group was formed in November 1974, it was a branch of a division which policed Westminster, due to most diplomatic premises being within the area.[2]
During the Iranian Embassy Siege in 1980, Police Constable Trevor Lock was on protection duty. He was taken hostage, along with the embassy staff, and managed to conceal his firearm until the assault by the British Army's Special Air Service, when he then restrained the terrorist leader.[2]
Other incidents where DPG officers have used firearms include the time when PC Peter Slimon GM visited the National Westminster Bank on Kensington High Street on 27 December 1972 to draw money out while on his lunch break:[3] he found that a bank robbery was in progress, fatally wounded one of the robbers, and injured two other robbers. In the same incident, PS Stephen Peet responded, and shot the third robber. PC Gordon McKinnon was authorised to free a hostage in Trafalgar Square, and did so. More recently the Hackney siege and Markham Square incidents have involved SO6 Officers.
DPG officers have provided armed security for The Queen Mother as well as security for the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. In addition DPG residential protection officers have provided armed protection to many world leaders during visits to London.[4]
Equipment
Firearms routinely carried by DPG officers include the Glock 17 and MP5. They are also equipped with bulletproof vests and have the non-lethal X26 Taser. Like every other conventional police officer, they carry: ASP Baton, Hiatt Speedcuffs, CS Gas and a radio.
The Vauxhall Vivaro is used by officers. The Vauxhall Zafira is used by supervisors, however, these are being phased out and replaced by the newer Ford C-Max.
All DPG vehicles are coloured red, for purposes of quick identification as Protection Command vehicles.
See also
References
- ↑ PaDP, Metropolitan Police Service. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- 1 2 History of the Diplomatic Protection Group, Metropolitan Police Service. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
- ↑ http://www.metpolicehistory.co.uk/1946-to-date.html?page=2
- ↑ http://content.met.police.uk/Article/History/1400006573333/1400006573333
