Specialist Protection Units and their operations

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.25.048360

I note you seek access to the following information:

I would like to understand more about the specialist forces within the metropolitan police. In particular, royal protection officers (rasp) and close protection officers (CPO).

I would like to understand the following information,

1. Job descriptions relevant to specific position according to workforce establishment.
2. The key duties and responsibilities of an officer in each specialist force.
3. A workforce establishment chart to understand the makeup of each special force.
4. How many employees are currently working for each specialist force.
5. How many VIPs are currently being protected
6. How is the officer’s workload monitored
7. The complaints process if a VIP were to raise concerns about the protection that has been put in place for them.
8. The recruitment process for each special force.
9. The number of officers from each special force assigned to Hospitals in London.
10. The details of each Trust that is currently hosting CPO or Rasp officers.
11. Whether officers are permitted to use intelligence for their own personal gain during employment on a VIP.
12. If the metropolitan police and its special forces operate black lists of VIPs who are unable to obtain protection and common reasons why.

Clarification -
Question 4 is relevant to RASP, close protection officers and British protection officers. Question 4 is relevant to all forces but especially those that are employed to monitor, gather intelligence covertly or physically surround any member of the public at the government, the monarchy or RAVOC’s bidding. Which was clear in my original request and the subsequent request to be told who might be assigned to me personally, which I note you haven’t responded to.

Decision

I am pleased to inform you that some of this information is held by the MPS and is already in the public domain. In reference to Question 8, the recruitment process for officers in the Protection Command, can be found online via the below link.

MPS | PaDP officers, frontline policing to special operation diversions and protection command

In regard to Questions 3, 6, 7, and 11 these will be disclosed in full, while Questions 1 and 2 will be partially disclosed. However, Question 4 has been fully withheld as it is exempt from disclosure

Finally, in relation to the remaining Questions, the Metropolitan Police Service can neither confirm nor deny whether it holds the information that you requested as the duty in Section 1(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) does not apply by virtue of the following exemptions:

Section 24(2) - National Security
Section 31(3) - Law Enforcement
Section 38(2) - Health & Safety

Disclosure

Q3 - A workforce establishment chart to understand the make up of each special force.

RaSP is organised into the following core units:

• Headquarters (HQ)
• Close Protection.
• Residential Protection.
• Protection Operation.

Each unit comprises of Constables, Sergeants, Inspectors, Chief Inspectors, Superintendents and a Chief Superintendent, in line with standard MPS team structures. These units operate under the established MPS corporate leadership and governance framework, overseen by a Commander.

Q6 - How is the officers workload monitored.

An officer’s workload depends very much on their role and linked to key performance indicators that they, their team or the wider department are judged upon. All officers work within a team with a clear line management/rank structure. The team leaders/supervisors have responsibility to manage their staff and monitor workloads.

Please note that the information provided does not constitute recorded information under FOIA. It is instead a form of words intended to outline the how officer workload is managed.

Q7- The complaints process if a VIP were to raise concerns about the protection that has been put in place for them.

Any complaint reported would go through the usual line management at RaSP from Constable to Sergeant to Inspector.

Q11 - Whether officers are permitted to use intelligence for their own personal gain during employment on a VIP.

No, this is not permitted

In addition, please find below the two redacted job descriptions, which outline the core duties and responsibilities of Protection Officers within RaSP.
These documents are provided to support and inform response to Questions 1 and 2.