Defence School of Policing and Guarding

The Defence School of Policing and Guarding is the training centre for the Service Police of the British Armed Forces. It consolidates training for the Royal Navy Police, Royal Military Police and Royal Air Force Police in one location, assuring consistent standards across the services. The centre was established at Southwick Park, near Portsmouth, Hampshire, in 2005.

Defence School of Policing and Guarding
Active2005 (as Defence College of Policing and Guarding) – present
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
 Royal Air Force
 Royal Navy
TypeDefence training school
RoleService police, guarding and security training
Part ofDefence College of Logistics, Policing and Administration
LocationSouthwick House, Hampshire

History

The Defence College of Policing and Guarding was opened in 2005 at Southwick House, the former site of HMS Dryad.[1] The regimental headquarters of the Royal Military Police moved to the site following withdrawal from Roussillon Barracks, Chichester.[2] RAF Police training moved from RAF Halton in 2005.[3] Royal Navy Police training moved from HMS Excellent in November 2005.[4]

Sometime prior to 2015, the name of the establishment changed from College to School.[5]

Military police training
Main article: Military police of the United Kingdom

The facilities allow training in most aspects of policing, including Crime Scene Investigation.[6]

Royal Military Police

Soldiers entering the Royal Military Police are posted to the school having completed Phase 1 training at the Army Training Centre, Pirbright. Successful completion results in promotion to lance corporal and posting to an operational unit as a probationer. Officers for the Royal Military Police undertake training on completion of commissioning courses at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.[7]

Royal Air Force Police

Airmen are posted to the school having completed Phase 1 training at RAF Halton. Successful completion results in the individual being promoted to Corporal and being posted to an operational unit. Officers of the Royal Air Force Police undertake training on completion of commissioning at Royal Air Force College Cranwell.[8]

Royal Navy Police

Royal Marines candidates are not recruited directly but are transferred from other branches where they have qualified for promotion to corporal or leading hand before being posted to the school, having completed a 4-week suitability assessment. Some Royal Navy candidates are now recruited directly. On completion of training they will be promoted to the rank and posted to an operational unit. Officers for the Royal Navy Police are drawn from the rating corps as senior upper yardmen and are commissioned following training at Britannia Royal Naval College or Commando Training Centre Royal Marines.[9]

Future

In November 2016, a Defence Estate review by the Ministry of Defence gave an estimated disposal date of 2025 for Southwick Park. It is intended that the School will relocate to Worthy Down Barracks, Winchester, while other specialised functions will relocate to Aldershot.[10]

References
  1. "Welcome to our Website". Portsmouth Coarse Angling. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  2. "Army's past honoured by plaque at Roussillon Barracks". Chichester Observer. 10 April 2012.
  3. "History - Royal Air Force Police". Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  4. "Regulation Branch". Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  5. "An inspection of the leadership of the Royal Military Police in relation to its investigation" (PDF). HM Inspectors of Constabulary. July 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  6. "RMP prepare for Afghan investigations". Ministry of Defence. 25 May 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  7. "Royal Military Academy Sandhurst". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  8. "RAF Cranwell". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  9. "Commando Training Centre Royal Marines". Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  10. "A Better Defence Estate" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. November 2016. p. 23. Retrieved 10 November 2016.

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