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Defence police officers will carry
out maritime security duties at Olympics
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Eight GDP officers will be carrying out maritime police duties at this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in UK. They might be deployed on the River Thames but it is more likely that their RHIB skills will be of more use providing security at the sailing events to be held in Weymouth.
‘Every UK police force with a maritime element has been asked for support but the MOD Police probably has the biggest marine capability of all UK forces,’ said Superintendent Rob Allen. ‘MOD tend to take the lead on marine policing and we have in place an extensive training programme.’
‘Everything is being totally funded by the Olympic games,’ added Rob. ‘And, back on the Rock, if some of my officers have to work some overtime to provide cover for the maritime officers, the overtime is also paid for by the same fund.’
Sgt William Mellin will lead the GDP team. ‘Despite being up-to-date with all our qualifications, we will still need to do some pre-Olympics training and then when we get there we will do some coordination work with the other units on the water,’ explained William. ‘This is an honour and a privilege to be asked to go to work at this once-in-a-lifetime event. And, in professional terms, it will be good to be operating on the water with other UK police forces.’
The GDP crew will be in UK from 21 July until 12 August. If they find themselves working at Weymouth, they can look forward to being accommodated in a holiday camp which has been taken over by the Dorset Police for the duration of the Games.’
10-02-12
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