Protection Command


The Protection Command is one of the Commands within the Specialist Operations directorate of London's Metropolitan Police Service. The command specialises in protective security and has two branches: Royalty and Specialist Protection, providing protection to the Royal Family and close protection to government officials, and Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection, providing uniformed security to government buildings, officials and diplomats. In contrast with the vast majority of British police officers, many members of the Protection Command routinely carry firearms in the course of their duties and all are Authorised Firearms Officers.

Branches

In April 2015, the branches of Protection Command and elements of Security Command were merged into two distinct branches under the control of Protection Command: Royalty and Specialist Protection and Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection.

Royalty and Specialist Protection

The Royalty and Specialist Protection was formed following a merger of the Royalty Protection Command with the Specialist Protection Command in April 2015.
RaSP provide personal protection for the Royal Family, the Prime Minister, Government ministers, ambassadors, visiting Heads of State and other individuals deemed to be at risk. RaSP also provide armed security at Royal Residences in London, Windsor and Scotland. The Special Escort Group is also operated by RaSP.
Originally, royalty protection officers were attached for administrative purposes to "A" Division, although they came directly under the command of Assistant Commissioner "A". The Royalty Protection Branch was formed as a separate non-divisional specialist unit in 1978.

Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection

was formed following a merger of the Diplomatic Protection Group with the Palace of Westminster Division in April 2015.
PaDP provide armed and unarmed protection of embassies, missions and the Parliamentary Estate. They also provide residential protection for high-profile Government ministers and are responsible for access control and security at Downing Street and New Scotland Yard.
PaDP was the Command in which Police Constable Keith Palmer GM, who was killed in an attack at Westminster in 2017, worked.