The Gibraltar Defence Police (GDP) is a civil police force which provides a policing and security service for the

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. Prior to 17 December 2009 it was known as the Gibraltar Services Police (GSP).Gibraltar Chronicle – Gib Defence Police Officially Launched Last Night

Overview

The Gibraltar Defence Police is one of three civilian police forces within the UK Ministry of Defence. Officers are sworn under the Police Act of the Laws of Gibraltar. The Chief of Police is currently Rob Allen. An independent civilian police force which also provides civilian unarmed guards, the Chief of Police is responsible to the Commander, British Forces Gibraltar.

Structure

In 2020, the strength of the force was: one chief of police, one deputy chief of police, two chief inspectors, five

inspector Inspector, also police inspector or inspector of police, is a police rank. The rank or position varies in seniority depending on the organization that uses it. Australia In Australian police forces, the rank of inspector is generally the ne ...

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sergeant Sergeant (abbreviated to Sgt. and capitalized when used as a named person's title) is a rank in many uniformed organizations, principally military and policing forces. The alternative spelling, ''serjeant'', is used in The Rifles and other uni ...

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constable A constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in criminal law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions. A constable is commonly the rank of an officer within the police. Other peop ...

s, together with civilian support staff and uniformed guards.

Headquarters

Since 2016 the GDP has shared a purpose-built

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British Armed Forces The British Armed Forces, also known as His Majesty's Armed Forces, are the military forces responsible for the defence of the United Kingdom, its Overseas Territories and the Crown Dependencies. They also promote the UK's wider interests, s ...

Joint Provost and Security Unit (JPSU) (military police) at HM Naval Base Gibraltar.

Pay and conditions

Pay and conditions of the force are identical to those of the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) in the United Kingdom, of which it is a direct equivalent. The Gibraltar Defence Police Federation represents the interests of police officers up to the rank of chief inspector.

Specialist units

Firearms

There is no specialist firearms unit. Like the MDP, all GDP officers are trained in the use of

firearm A firearm is any type of gun designed to be readily carried and used by an individual. The term is legally defined further in different countries (see Legal definitions). The first firearms originated in 10th-century China, when bamboo tubes ...

Marine unit

The force has a Marine Unit, founded in 1998, which consists of a sergeant and over twenty constables. It is charged with the seaward defence of Gibraltar's Royal Navy facilities and the warships moored in them, and also assists the Royal Gibraltar Police Marine Section with general security and enforcement patrols of waters surrounding Gibraltar. It operates two motor launches and two rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs). The original 10-metre motor launches of 1998 were replaced in 2003 with larger and faster 15-metre launches. One of these was itself replaced with a newer boat in 2012. The RHIBs are Arctic 24 type boats, capable of speeds up to 55 knots. Since 2011 the police marine unit has shared a headquarters and boat house with the Gibraltar Squadron of the Royal Navy. The boathouse holds the Navy's 5 patrol boats and RHIBs, and the police's 4 patrol boats and RHIBs.

Dog section

The GDP dog section was formed in 2012, and consists of a team of handlers, led by a sergeant, and six general purpose dogs. The initial six dogs are of the Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) and

Dutch Shepherd Dog The Dutch Shepherd is a herding dog of Dutch origin. They were used by shepherds and farmers who needed a versatile dog, with few demands, and a dog that was able to adapt to a harsh and meager existence. History Origins of the Northern Eur ...

breeds. The GDP previously relied on service dogs and handlers seconded from United Kingdom police forces, but as part of the GDP Project Euston, which seeks to replace all secondment from UK forces with locally provided Gibraltarian services, the GDP dog section has been established.References for breeds and Project Euston may be found on th
UK Government website

Drugs intelligence

The force seconds officers to the Gibraltar Co-ordinating Centre for Criminal Intelligence and Drugs (GCID).

Ranks

The rank structure of the GDP follows other British police forces, with ranks from chief officer down to constable.

Gallery

A collection of photographs of the GDP: File:GB Airways aircraft landing at Gibraltar Airport.jpg, GDP officer File:Gibraltar Defence Police shed at runway crossing.JPG, Gibraltar Defence Police shed at runway crossing File:Boats of the Gibraltar Defence Police Marine Unit MOD 45157643.jpg, An Arctic 24 Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) and the police launch 'Sir Evan Gibb', both of the Gibraltar Defence Police Marine Unit are pictured at speed in the Bay of Gibraltar. File:Boats of the Gibraltar Defence Police Marine Unit MOD 45157642.jpg, The same boats, but with a view from the front File:Gibraltar Police Car 4 x 4.jpg, Gibraltar Police 4x4, notice the naval ('RN') number plate - all GDP vehicles carry military number plates File:Gibraltar Police car 3.jpg, Gibraltar Police Ford police car

References

External links

GSP Marine Unit
{{Gibraltar topics

Ministry of Defence Police Law enforcement agencies of Gibraltar 2000s establishments in Gibraltar 2009 establishments in British Overseas Territories Civilian police forces of defense ministries