Officers with specialist knowledge of flags

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.033511

I note you seek access to the following information:

How many police officers in your force are designated as having specialist knowledge of flags?

• What training do these specialist officers receive regarding flags? Please provide details on the content and duration of any courses or training programs.
• What is the cost associated with providing this specialist flag training per officer? Please break down costs into categories such as course fees, travel/accommodation expenses etc.
• Do you utilize external providers to deliver this training? If so, please provide the names of the training companies/organisations used and the costs paid to them.
• How many specialist flag officers have you had in the past 5 years?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

The MPS deploys uniformed officers to protests to look for people displaying symbols that may contravene section 13 Terrorism Act 2000. The specialist officers with knowledge of flags come from the Public Order Command Crime Team and have experience of the investigation and prosecution of this offence. This is not a full time role which is solely focussed on this aspect but forms part of wider investigation skillset capability. As such there is no specific job description, recruitment process or fixed number of posts given the range of knowledge and expertise required in investigation roles. Nor is there any specific training course.