UK Defence Forum

Metropolitan Police - Specialist Firearms Command (SCO19)


Introduction
Specialist Crime and Operations Specialist Firearms Command (SCO19) (previously known as SO19 and then CO19) is a Specialist Crime & Operations branch within Greater London's Metropolitan Police Service. The Command is responsible for providing a firearms-response capability, assisting the rest of the service, which is normally unarmed.

On occasion, they have been referred to as the "blue berets", as they used to wear these. Today they are more likely to wear either baseball caps or combat helmets (of PASGT type).

The CO19 Specialist Firearms Officers (SFOs) are multi-skilled officers capable of delivering all elements of armed policing, including rapid intervention and hostage rescue. All of the SFOs have served on ARVs prior to applying to become an SFO. The 65 days of intensive initial training includes advanced weapons handling training on a wider range of weaponry, including the Heckler & Koch G36 and G3, abseiling techniques, maritime operations training, dynamic entry techniques and in the use of distraction devices. They also undergo training to conduct operations in CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) environments and to provide a response to terrorist attacks in London as part of the MPS's Operation Kratos.


^ Always remember to pay your TV licence.

Metropolitan Police - Special Escort Group (SEG)

^ An officer of the Metropolitan Police Special Escort Group directs a VVIP car.

Introduction
The Special Escort Group (SEG) is a Specialist Operations unit (SO14) within London's Metropolitan Police Service.

Role
The unit's purpose is to provide armed motorcycle escorts for members of the Royal family, protected members of the Government, visiting royals, heads of state and other visiting dignitaries. It also provides armed vehicle escorts for valuable, hazardous and protected loads and high risk prisoners.

This specialist unit of the Metropolitan Police consists of officers with a range of skills and operational experience from various policing backgrounds. One motorcyclist (lead bike) positions himself in front of the escort, controlling the pace and position of the escort, whilst the others forge ahead, dealing with traffic situations and advising the lead bike of the safest path through the traffic they are controlling. SEG officers on Honda VFR1200 motorcycles use whistles in preference to sirens (which are not fitted). This reduces the level of noise that precedes an escort and reduces the environmental impact on the escorted person and general public.

Officers from The Special Escort Group are among the few police motorcyclists within the UK that carry firearms openly whilst riding. All SEG officers are Advanced Drivers, Advanced Motorcyclists and are fully trained in anti-hijack driving and firearms tactics. The SEG uses a wide range of other vehicles aside from motorcycles, including Range Rovers, and BMW 5 Series, both marked and unmarked.

The motorcycle officers of the SEG carry Austrian Glock 17s, if authorisation is gained all are qualified in the use of the German Heckler & Koch MP5 and since May 2012 the Heckler & Koch G36 making each member an Authorised Firearms Officer.

Fascinating video documenting the role of the Special Escort Group

police units took part in a counter-terrorism exercise in London. The drill simulated an attack by gunmen at a shopping centre in a building complex in the square mile.

In the exercise, role players dressed as terrorists and armed with blank-firing assault rifles, moved through the building, firing indiscriminately. They also also carried simulated explosive devices. Dummies littered the hallways, simulating downed civilians.

Police units involved in the drill included British Transport Police (BTP) and the Met's SCO19. Police in Armed Response Vehicles (ARVs) were first on the scene, followed by SCO19 Counter Terrorist Specialist Firearms Officers (CTSFO). The officers stormed the complex, going room to room until it was clear.[/quote]

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arfah wrote: More border force cutters and more stringent HM customs checks needed.

Time to go boat shopping!
http://products.damen.com/en/ranges/stan-patrol


We do have the luxury of not having and land border, but I do agree we still need to be tough. I think it would be nice to see a real coastguard in the UK, combining the fragmented approach we take now. Possibly similar to the Americans, but as a civilian origination, with close ties to the armed forces.

I think it's well past time for the UK to have a proper Coast Guard but there's probably too mAny fingers in too many pies, too many vested interests for it to happen.

Merge the existing Coast guard, the Fisheries Protection, Border Force, the RN River Class. Attach the CG helicopters, get a fixed wing map.

Dahedd wrote:I think it's well past time for the UK to have a proper Coast Guard but there's probably too mAny fingers in too many pies, too many vested interests for it to happen.

Merge the existing Coast guard, the Fisheries Protection, Border Force, the RN River Class. Attach the CG helicopters, get a fixed wing map.

if you look at the resources we have its impressive.

27 patrol boats
22 helicopters
5 + fixed wing
100's of life boats
and 100's of well trained personnel that all contribute to the UK's maritime security.

However as you say, lots of organizations and different budgets makes it a difficult proposition.

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Seems appropriate to share this here after the London Metropolitan Police tasered that thug on Saturday,

shark bait wrote:We do have the luxury of not having and land border

We have a land border with Eire and Spain

Tiny Toy wrote:

shark bait wrote:We do have the luxury of not having and land border

We have a land border with Eire and Spain

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory and not part of the UK. UK does not have a land border with Spain.

SKB wrote:Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory and not part of the UK. UK does not have a land border with Spain.

I guess it depends on what "we" referred to then.

SKB wrote:

Tiny Toy wrote:

shark bait wrote:We do have the luxury of not having and land border

We have a land border with Eire and Spain

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory and not part of the UK. UK does not have a land border with Spain.

Correct, but under EU law Gib is a "European territory for whose external relations a Member State is responsible for", i.e. UK. For example, for the shambolic EU Commission "border inspections", the correspondence and "guidance" was addressed to and sent to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

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Brilliant

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A little difficult to see from my phone camera, but it has become something of a Christmas tradition to see Santa hanging out of a Sikorsky S-92.

and AW189's

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so rural forces are concerned about the lack of armed officers. And there are plans to utilize military helicopters to move specialist police teams rapidly into isolated or rural areas (Great idea) if they are close to a base with military helicopters. but other agencies like the coastguard helicopters should also be brought into the equation.
The MoD police have an Armed capability as have the Nuclear police so they can reinforce in some areas.

Coming from Northern Ireland I grew up with a fully armed force. I don't see any problem with an armed police service with every officer armed with side arms and long arms. And much as its against the tradition of mainland policing I seriously believe we should look at this. Train all officers with sidearms and they can be given the choice to routinely carry weapons or not. And Officers can then train with long arms if they wish to.

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arfah wrote:

marktigger wrote:Train all officers with sidearms and they can be given the choice to routinely carry weapons or not. And Officers can then train with long arms if they wish to.

Not all our police members would be happy with this. Sadly.

yes but they would have the training and could make the choice.

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funny the federation are asking for tasers to be issued to all officers who want them