| Royal Gibraltar Police | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | RGP |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 25 June, 1830 |
| Preceding agency |
|
| Employees | 250 approx. |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction |  Gibraltar |
| Size | 6.8 km² |
| Population | 34,000 |
| Legal jurisdiction | As per operations jurisdiction |
| Governing body | Government of Gibraltar |
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | New Mole House Police Station,Rosia Road,Gibraltar |
| Royal appointee responsible | |
| Agency executives |
|
| Facilities | |
| Stations | 2
|
| Prisons | His Majesty's Prison, Gibraltar |
| Patrol cars | Yes |
| Armed response vehicles | Yes |
| Dogs | No |
| Website | |
| Royal Gibraltar Police | |
TheRoyal Gibraltar Police (RGP) is, along withHis Majesty's Customs (Gibraltar), the principal civilianlaw enforcement agency in theBritish overseas territory ofGibraltar. It is the oldest police force in theCommonwealth of Nations outside theUnited Kingdom.
The Royal Gibraltar Police, previously the Gibraltar Police Force, was formed in 1830, only nine months afterSir Robert Peel founded theMetropolitan Police in London. It was Peel who sent one of his officers to Gibraltar to form the Gibraltar Police Force.[2] The force was granted the "Royal" prefix byQueen Elizabeth II in 1992.
The force works with theGibraltar Defence Police (GDP),His Majesty's Customs (Gibraltar),Border and Coastguard Agency (Gibraltar), His Majesty's Prison Service and the militaryJoint Provost and Security Unit. The force is accountable to theGibraltar Police Authority, an independent body that is responsible for ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the force, and handles complaints made against officers of the force.[3]
The force, referred to locally as the RGP, currently numbers around 250 officers.[4] It is divided into a number of units, including CID, Drug Squad, Special Branch, Firearms Unit, Scene of Crime Examiners, Traffic Department, Marine Section and the Operations Division.
From its inception, up until 1999 whenSt. John Ambulance Brigade took over, the Gibraltar Police provided the territory's only emergency ambulance service, using officers seconded from the Operations Division. The RGP also acted as immigration officers at all entry points until the early 1990s.
The current headquarters is at New Mole House Police Station, Rosia Road. The Previous HQ used to be at 120 Irish Town. There are plans to turn this into a Police Museum. There is a sub-station at Casemates Square.
In general the uniformed officers of theGibraltar force follow British police models in their dress. On foot patrol, male constables and sergeants, like their counterparts inEngland and Wales,Jersey,Guernsey, theIsle of Man andBermuda, wear the traditional headgear of the "bobby on the beat", correctly known as the "custodian helmet", which is similar to some Army helmets and was adopted by theMetropolitan Police in London in 1863 to replace the top hat formerly worn, other forces then following suit. The helmet is traditionally made of cork covered outside by felt or serge-like material that matches the tunic.
As in many police forces inEngland and Wales, theBrunswick star is used as the basis for the force badge, with a central device representingGibraltar. The badge appears also as the helmet plate.[5]
The RGP rank structure follows the usualUK police pattern, but with fewer ranks. The chief police officer titled theCommissioner of Police. The RGP ranks consist of:
| Royal Gibraltar Police ranks and insignia[6][7] | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Commissioner | Assistant commissioner | Superintendent | Chief inspector | Inspector | Crown Sergeant | Sergeant | Constable |
| Epaulette insignia |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
The rank ofChief Superintendent was a rank introduced in 2014 replacing the rank ofAssistant commissioner, which has acted as the deputy to the commissioner and as the force's second-in-command. This decision was reverted in 2018 by the force's new Commissioner Ian McGrail, who believed that the designation was not representative of the post’s position.[8] The appointment ofSenior Sergeant was introduced a month after the re-introduction of the rank of Assistant Commissioner. This appointment is held by leaders of the response teams in operational response, which the appointment came with additional responsibilities. Sergeants designated with the appointment are entitled to wear the insiginia of sergeant's chevrons with a crown on top.[9] The rank title was later at some point replaced withCrown Sergeant.
The Royal Navy Base houses a facility which is jointly used by the marine sections of The Royal Gibraltar Police and the Gibraltar Defence Police. Since 2012 there have been many new additions to the unit including jet skis and larger vessels.[10]
The role of the RGP Marine Section is to enforce the law in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters and this often includes co-operation with other local and international agencies.[11] The RGP Marine Section plays a vital role in anti-drug smuggling operations for the local area.
Vessels of the Royal Gibraltar Police Marine Section:
RGP officers employ a wide variety of equipment for police work, such as motor vehicles, sea vessels, arrest equipment and radios.Vehicles carry the UK police 'battenburg' style livery, with blue flashing lights and sirens. Unlike the UK, however, these are left hand drive vehicles, as traffic in Gibraltardrives on the right.
.JPG)
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