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Adding local short description: "Unit of the Metropolitan Police in London, UK", overriding Wikidata description "unit of the Metropolitan Police in London, UK, responsible for providing specialist policing capabilities including national security and counter-terrorism operations"
 
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{{AboutShort description|Unit of the Metropolitan Police unitin (London)|the NSW, Australia unit|Specialist Operations (New South Wales)UK}}
{{About|the Metropolitan Police unit in London, England|the unit in NSW, Australia|Specialist Operations (New South Wales)}}
The '''Specialist Operations''' directorate is a unit of the [[Metropolitan Police Service]] of London, UK responsible for providing specialist policing capabilities including national security and counter-terrorism operations. The Specialist Operations Directorate is currently led by [[Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis|Assistant Commissioner]] [[Neil Basu]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.met.police.uk/police-forces/metropolitan-police/areas/about-us/about-the-met/senior-management-team/ |title=Home - The Met|website=content.met.police.uk|accessdate=September 30, 2018}}</ref>▼
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
▲The '''Specialist Operations''' directorate is a unit of the [[Metropolitan Police Service]] ofin [[London]], UKEngland. It is responsible for providing specialist policing capabilities, including [[national security]] and [[counter-terrorism]] operations. The Specialist Operations Directoratedirectorate is currently led by [[Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis|Assistant Commissioner]] [[NeilMatt BasuJukes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.met.police.uk/police-forces/metropolitan-police/areas/about-us/about-the-met/senior-management-team/ |title=Home - The Met|website=content.met.police.uk|accessdate=September 30, 2018|archive-date=30 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930231646/https://www.met.police.uk/police-forces/metropolitan-police/areas/about-us/about-the-met/senior-management-team/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
==History==
At its peak, Specialist Operations (SO) was a group of twenty specialist units, which were formed to give the Metropolitan Police a specialist policing capability. The SO designation was implemented in 1986 as part of [[Kenneth Newman|Sir Kenneth Newman]]'s restructuring of the Metropolitan Police Service. Most of the units designated SO units were already in existence, many of them as departments of C Division and its branches, and all were presided over by an Assistant Commissioner of Special Operations (ACSO).
 
In 1999 its Organised Crime Group took over residual work from the disbanded [[Metropolitan Police War Crimes Unit|War Crimes Unit]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C15639|title=Metropolitan Police Service: Specialist Operations Branch (SO1): Records of the War Crimes Unit 1991-1999 (MEPO 41)|publisher=The National Archives|access-date=15 September 2022}}</ref> In 2010, ACSO co-directed ''[[Operation Guava]]'', aimed at "a significant terrorist plot".<ref>{{cite web |title=Quarter 2, 2010-112010–11 GLA Group Monitoring Report - Appendix 1 |url=https://www.london.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/s2444/Quarter%202%20-%202010-11%20GLA%20Group%20Monitoring%20Report%20-%20Appendix%201.pdf |website=Mayor of London |publisher=London Assembly |accessdate=1 December 2019 |ref=https://www.london.gov.uk/moderngov/mgAi.aspx?ID=1814 |location=3.70 |page=41 |date=9 February 2011 |quote=20 December 2010, 12 Terrorism Act arrest warrants were executed simultaneously in relation to Operation Guava, under the direction of ACSO}}</ref> The aim of this ACSO action was to prevent the establishment of a jihadist training camp in Kashmir on land owned by one of the suspects.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Pantucci, Raffaello |editor1-last=Magnus Ranstorp |editor2-last=Magnus Normark |title=Understanding Terrorism Innovation and Learning: Al-Qaeda and Beyond |date=2015 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=1317538056978-1317538059 |page=221 |chapter-url=https://books.google.co.ukcom/books?id=82GhCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA221&dq=Operation+Guava+group+planned+to+establish+a+training+camp+in+Kashmir+on+the+grounds+of+a+piece+of+property+owned+by+one+of+the+cell%27s+members+and+to+turn+this+into+a+location+where+British+jihadists&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwibyNGZ9ZPmAhXjQhUIHadZBqgQ6AEIKzAA#v=onepage&q=Operation%20Guava%20group%20planned%20to%20establish%20a%20training%20camp%20in%20Kashmir%20on%20the%20grounds%20of%20a%20piece%20of%20property%20owned%20by%20one%20of%20the%20cell's%20members%20and%20to%20turn%20this%20into%20a%20location%20where%20British%20jihadists&f=false |accessdate=1 December 2019 |chapter=Innovation and Learning in the British Jihad |quote=the Operation Guava group planned to establish a training camp in Kashmir on the grounds of a piece of property owned by one of the cell's members and to turn this into a location where British jihadists could go and train}}</ref> Operation Guava resulted in the 2012 conviction of [[Usman Khan (militantterrorist)|Usman Khan]], who went on to perpetrate the [[2019 London Bridge stabbing]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Paul Hannon |last2=Stephen Fidler |title=Attack by Convicted Terrorist Prompts U.K. to Review Sentencing |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/attack-by-convicted-terrorist-prompts-u-k-to-review-sentencing-11575128129 |accessdate=1 December 2019 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=30 November 2019 |language=en |quote=Mr. Khan was one of nine people who were imprisoned after pleading guilty to being part of a group that was plotting in 2010 to plant a pipe bomb in a toilet in the London Stock Exchange. The group, which had been tracked by Britain’s internal security service MI5 in an operation code-named Guava}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Terrorism gang jailed for plotting to blow up London Stock Exchange |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/9072455/Terrorism-gang-jailed-for-plotting-to-blow-up-London-Stock-Exchange.html |accessdate=30 November 2019 |work=The Telegraph |date=9 February 2012 |quote=Usman Khan, 20, and Nazam Hussain, 26, were raising money to set up a terror training camp on land owned by Khan's family in Kashmir, Pakistan}}</ref>
 
==Structure==
The Specialist Operations Directorate comprises twothree Commandscommands.<ref name="met.police.uk">{{cite web |url=https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/met/about-us/executive-structure-june-2018.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829072117/https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/met/about-us/executive-structure-june-2018.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2018-08-29 |title=Metropolitan Police Service Executive Structure |date=June 2018 |website=[[Metropolitan Police Service]] |accessdate=28 August 2018}}</ref>{{dead link|date=December 2019}}▼
 
===Since AprilProtection Command 2015===
[[File:Police car Kensington Gardens.JPG|thumb|[[Protection Command]] response vehicle near [[Kensington Palace]]]]
▲The Specialist Operations Directorate comprises two Commands.<ref name="met.police.uk">{{cite web |url=https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/met/about-us/executive-structure-june-2018.pdf |title=Metropolitan Police Service Executive Structure |date=June 2018 |website=[[Metropolitan Police Service]] |accessdate=28 August 2018}}</ref>{{dead link|date=December 2019}}
The [[Protection Command]] is led by a [[DeputyCommander#British Assistantpolice Commissionerrank|commander]], andoverseen by a [[deputy assistant commissioner]].<ref name="met.police.uk"/> The command is responsible for [[protective security]] for high-profile governmental representatives of the [[United Kingdom]] or from the diplomatic community. As such, it is analogous to the [[United States Secret Service]] or the [[Diplomatic Security Service]]. The PSO Commandcommand comprises threetwo branches:<ref name="Structure2018">{{cite web |title=Structure of Met Operations & Specialist Operations |url=https://maps.met.police.uk"/>{{deadSysSiteAssets/foi-media/metropolitan-police/disclosure_2019/february_2019/information-rights-unit---structures-of-met-and-specialists-operations |website=Metropolitan Police Service link|date=August4 December 2018 |id=Freedom of Information Request 2018110000484|accessdate=20 August 2020}}</ref>▼
 
*[[ Royalty and Specialist Protection]] (RaSP) provides personal protection for the Royalroyal Familyfamily, the Primeprime Ministerminister, Governmentgovernment ministers, ambassadors, visiting Headsheads of Statestate and other individuals deemed to be at risk. RaSP also provide armed security at Royalroyal Residencesresidences in London, Windsor, and Scotland. The [[Special Escort Group (Metropolitan Police)|Special Escort Group]] (SEG) is also operated by RaSPSpecial Operations.<ref name="21.14">{{cite web |url=http://212.62.21.14/Site/protectioncommand |title=Protection Command |website=Metropolitan Police Service |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729221629/http://content.met.police.uk/Site/protectioncommand |archive-date=29 July 2016 |url-status=dead |df= }}</ref>▼
====Protection and security operations====▼
* [[Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection]] (PaDP) provides armed protection of embassies, missions and the Parliamentary Estate. They also provide residential protection for high-profile Governmentgovernment ministers and are responsible for access control and security at Downing Street and New Scotland Yard. PaDP was formed in April 2015, with the merger of the Diplomatic Protection Group (SO16, formerly SO6) and the Palaces of Westminster Command (SO17).<ref name="21.14"/>▼
{{Main|Protection Command}}
▲The Protection Command is led by a [[Deputy Assistant Commissioner]], and is responsible for [[protective security]] for high-profile governmental representatives of the [[United Kingdom]] or from the diplomatic community. As such it is analogous to the [[United States Secret Service]] or the [[Diplomatic Security Service]]. The PSO Command comprises three branches:<ref name="met.police.uk"/>{{dead link|date=August 2018}}
 
'''=== Security Command''' ===▼
▲*[[Royalty and Specialist Protection]] (RaSP) provides 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 (SEG) is also operated by RaSP.<ref name="21.14">{{cite web |url=http://212.62.21.14/Site/protectioncommand |title=Protection Command |website=Metropolitan Police Service |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729221629/http://content.met.police.uk/Site/protectioncommand |archive-date=29 July 2016 |url-status=dead |df= }}</ref>
The Security Command is led by a commander and overseen by the same [[deputy assistant commissioner]] as the Protection Command.<ref name="met.police.uk"/> The command comprises two branches:<ref name="Structure2018"/>
▲*[[Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection]] (PaDP) provides armed 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 formed in April 2015, with the merger of the Diplomatic Protection Group (SO6) and the Palaces of Westminster Command (SO17).<ref name="21.14"/>
* [[Aviation Policing]] (SOAP) provides armed policing and security for all passengers and staff travelling through [[London Heathrow Airport|Heathrow]] and [[London City Airport]].<ref name="met">{{cite web |url=http://www.met.police.uk/so/security.htm |title=Aviation Security |website=Metropolitan Police Service |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627160221/http://www.met.police.uk/so/security.htm |archivedate=27 June 2009}}</ref> [[London Gatwick Airport|Gatwick]], [[London Stansted Airport|Stansted]] and [[London Luton Airport|Luton]] are policed by [[Sussex Police|Sussex]], [[Essex Police|Essex]] and the [[Bedfordshire Police]] respectively, as they are not located in the Metropolitan Police District▼
 
▲* [[Aviation Security Operational Command Unit|Aviation Policing]] (SOAP) provides armed policing and security for all passengers and staff travelling through [[London Heathrow Airport|Heathrow]] and [[London City Airport]].<ref name="met">{{cite web |url=http://www.met.police.uk/so/security.htm |title=Aviation Security |website=Metropolitan Police Service |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627160221/http://www.met.police.uk/so/security.htm |archivedate=27 June 2009}}</ref> [[London Gatwick Airport|Gatwick]], [[London Stansted Airport|Stansted]] and [[London Luton Airport|Luton]] are policed by [[Sussex Police|Sussex]], [[Essex Police|Essex]] and the [[Bedfordshire Police]] respectively, as they are not located in the Metropolitan Police Districtarea.
====Counter Terrorism Command====▼
* Protective Security Operations
{{Main|Counter Terrorism Command}}
The Counter Terrorism Command (CTC) is led by a [[Deputy Assistant Commissioner]] who is the concurrent [[National Police Chiefs' Council]] [[Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism]] leading [[National Counter Terrorism Policing Network]].<ref name="21.141">{{cite web |url=http://212.62.21.14/Article/Counter-Terrorism-Command/1400006569170/1400006569170 |title=Counter Terrorism Command |website=Metropolitan Police Service |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425025114/http://content.met.police.uk/Article/Counter-Terrorism-Command/1400006569170/1400006569170 |archivedate=25 April 2016}}</ref> The Counter Terrorism Command (SO15) is responsible for protecting London and the rest of the United Kingdom from the threat of terrorism. The Command operates against the threat of terrorism at a local, national and international level, and supports the National Counter Terrorism Network (the Regional Counter Terrorism Units and the National Police Chiefs' Council). The Command also has the national lead for domestic extremism in support of the [[National Domestic Extremism and Disorder Intelligence Unit]]. The Command also deals with sensitive national security investigations, such as Official Secrets Act enquiries, the investigation of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and politically motivated murders.<ref name="21.141"/> It was created in 2006 through the merger of the Met's [[Metropolitan Police Anti-Terrorist Branch|Anti-Terrorist Branch]] and [[Special Branch]].▼
 
▲==== Counter Terrorism Command= ===
===Until April 2015===▼
▲The [[Counter Terrorism Command]] (CTC) is led by a commander overseen by a [[Deputydeputy Assistantassistant Commissionercommissioner]]. The deputy assistant whocommissioner is the concurrent [[National Police Chiefs' Council]] [[Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism]] leading [[National Counter Terrorism Policing Network]] leading the network.<ref name="21.141">{{cite web |url=http://212.62.21.14/Article/Counter-Terrorism-Command/1400006569170/1400006569170 |title=Counter Terrorism Command |website=Metropolitan Police Service |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425025114/http://content.met.police.uk/Article/Counter-Terrorism-Command/1400006569170/1400006569170 |archivedate=25 April 2016}}</ref> The Counter Terrorism Command (SO15) is responsible for protecting London and the rest of the United Kingdom from the threat of terrorism. The Commandcommand operates against the threat of terrorism at a local, national and international level, and supports the Nationalnational Counter Terrorism NetworkPolicing network (the Regionalregional Countercounter Terrorismterrorism Unitsunits and the National Police Chiefs' Council). The Command also has the national lead for domestic extremism in support of the [[National Domestic Extremism and Disorder Intelligence Unit]]. The Commandcommand also deals with sensitive national security investigations, such as Official Secrets Act enquiries, the investigation of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and politically motivated murders.<ref name="21.141" /> It was created in 2006 through the merger of the Met's [[Metropolitan Police Anti-Terrorist Branch|Anti-Terrorist Branch]] and [[Special Branch (Metropolitan Police)|Special Branch]].
'''Protection Command'''
{{Main|Protection Command}}
Until April 2015 Protection Command was split into three units that provide protection for ministers, the royal family, and for foreign embassies, diplomats, and visiting dignitaries:▼
* Specialist Protection (SO1) – Provided armed personal protection services for [[Minister (government)|ministers]], and public officials at threat from terrorism, including visiting [[heads of government]] and other public figures. In April 2015, it was merged with Royalty Protection, to form Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP).▼
* Royalty Protection (SO14) – Provided protection of the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|Monarch]] and other members of the [[British Royal Family|Royal Family]]. The [[Operational Command Unit|OCU]] is divided into Residential Protection, Personal and Close Protection, and the [[Special Escort Group (Metropolitan Police)|Special Escort Group]] (SEG), who provide mobile protection. In April 2015, it was merged with Specialist Protection, to form Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP).▼
* [[Diplomatic Protection Group]] (SO6) – Provided protection for foreign missions in London, including protecting embassies, and the residences of visiting heads of state, heads of government and ministers. In April 2015, it was merged with the [[Palace of Westminster Division]], to form Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection (PaDP).▼
 
▲===UntilStructure until April 2015===
▲'''Security Command'''
▲====Protection and security operationsCommand====
▲Until April 2015, the [[Protection Command]] was split into three units that provideprovided protection for ministers, for the royal family, and for foreign embassies, diplomats, and visiting dignitaries:
▲*; Specialist Protection (SO1) –: Provided armed personal protection services for [[Ministerminister (government)|ministers]], and public officials at threat from terrorism, including visiting [[heads of government]] and other public figures. In April 2015, it was merged with Royalty Protection, to form Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP).
▲*; Royalty Protection (SO14) –: Provided protection offor the [[Monarchymonarchy of the United Kingdom|Monarchmonarch]] and other members of the [[British Royal Family|Royal Family]]. The [[Operational Command Unit|OCU]] is(OCU) was divided into Residential Protection, Personal and Close Protection, and the [[Special Escort Group (Metropolitan Police)|Special Escort Group]] (SEG), whothat provideprovided mobile protection. In April 2015, it was merged with Specialist Protection, to form Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP).
▲*; [[Diplomatic Protection Group]] (SO6SO16) –: Provided protection for foreign missions in London, including protecting embassies, and the residences of visiting heads of state, heads of government and ministers. In April 2015, it was merged with the [[Palace of Westminster Division]], to form Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection (PaDP).
 
====Security Command====
Until April 2015, the Security Command consisted of three units that provideprovided protection offor Parliament, andfor the two airports within Greater London (Heathrow Airport and London City Airport), and organise security for major events in London.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://content.met.police.uk/Site/securitycommand |title=Security Command |website=Metropolitan Police Service |accessdate=27 February 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612081936/http://content.met.police.uk/Site/securitycommand |archivedate=12 June 2015}}</ref>
*; [[Palace of Westminster Division]] (SO17) –: Was responsible for the protection of the Houses of Parliament, and consisted of a team of 500 people.<ref>{{cite web |first=Craig |last=Harrison |url=http://www.eliteukforces.info/police/protection-command/ |title=Protection Command |website=Eliteukforces.info |date= |accessdate=23 March 2017}}</ref> Officers were unarmed. In April 2015, it was merged with the Diplomatic Protection Group, to form Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection (PaDP).
* Aviation Security Operational Command Unit (SO18); became Aviation Policing (SOAP).
*; Counter Terrorism Protective[[Aviation Security Operational Command Unit]] (SO20SO18);: remainsBecame unchangedAviation Policing (SOAP).
; Counter Terrorism Protective Security Command (SO15SO20): has remainedRemains unchanged.▼
 
'''====Counter Terrorism Command'''====
The [[Counter Terrorism Command]] (SO15) has remained unchanged.
 
▲Counter Terrorism Command (SO15) has remained unchanged.
 
==Historical structure==
Owing to continual restructuring of the Metropolitan Police, only a few of the original SO units still exist in their original form and still use the SO designation. Where the SO designation has been reassigned to another unit, the units are listed in order
 
* SO1 – [[Specialist Protection]] (''Nownow within the [[Protection Command]])
* SO2 – Crime Support Branch/Department Support Group
* SO3 – Scenes of Crime Branch/Directorate of Forensic Services (''Nownow part of the [[Specialist Crime Directorate (Metropolitan Police)|Specialist Crime Directorate]] as SCD4 [[Forensic Services]]'')
* SO4 – [[National Identification Service]]
* SO5 – Miscellaneous Force Indexes/Child Protection (''now SCD5 [[Child Abuse Investigation Team]]'')
* SO6 – Fraud Squad (''now SCD6 [[Economic and Specialist Crime]]'')
* SO7 – Serious and Organised Crime (''Renamedrenamed to [[Serious and Organised Crime Group]], SCD7'')
* SO8 – Forensic Science Laboratory
* SO9 – [[Flying Squad]] (''Nownow in SCD7, but retains same name and role'').
* [[SO10]] – Crime Operations Group (''now SCD10 [[Covert Policing]]'')
* [[SO11]] – [[Criminal Intelligence Branch]] (''Renamedrenamed to [[Metropolitan Police Public Order Operational Command Unit|Public Order Operational Command Unit]], [[Central Operations|CO]]11'')
* SO12 – [[Special Branch (Metropolitan Police)|Special Branch]] (''Mergedmerged with SO13 to create the [[Counter Terrorism Command]]'')
* SO13 – Anti-Terrorism Branch (''Mergedmerged with SO12'')
* SO14 – [[Protection Command|Royalty Protection Branch]] (''Nownow within the [[Protection Command]])
* SO15 – [[Counter Terrorism Command]]
* SO16 – [[Diplomatic Protection Group]] (''Nownow within the [[Protection Command]])
* SO17 – [[Police National Computer|PNC]] Bureau (''now the Police Information Technology Organisation'')
* [[SO18]] – Aviation Security/Airport Policing (''Nownow [[Aviation Security Operational Command Unit|Aviation Security]] within Security Command'')
* [[SO19]] – Force Firearms Unit (''[[Metropolitan Police Specialist Firearms Command|Specialist Firearms Command]], SCO19'') now CO19within [[Met Operations]])
* SO20 – Forensic Medical Examiners Branch
 
==See also==
* [[Central Operations]]
* [[Law enforcement in the United Kingdom]]
* [[Territorial Operations]]
 
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[[Category:Metropolitan Police units]]
[[Category:Counter-terrorismCounterterrorism in the United Kingdom]]
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