Specialist Operations

Specialist Operations is a directorate of the Metropolitan Police. At its peak, 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 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).

Specialist Operations is made up of three Commands, commanded by Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley.

Protection Command comprises two branches:

RaSP provide 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.

PaDP provide 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.

Security Command comprises two units:

Aviation Security Operational Command Unit provides policing and security for Heathrow and London City airports. London's other airports, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton are policed by Sussex, Essex and the Bedfordshire Police respectively, as they are not located in the Metropolitan Police District.

The Counter Terrorism Protective Security Command are responsible for ensuring there are adequate protective security measures in place at high-profile events, crowded places and iconic sites. The CTPSC also provide counter terrorism security advice to businesses, schools and places of worship, as well as the wider community in London.

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