The MOD Police Role on the Defence Estate
In recent years, policing has taken a high profile in the MOD. Defensive armed policing on a large scale is the norm at nuclear establishments, and counter-terrorist training and liaison has increased significantly. Uniformed policing is accepted as the appropriate response to large scale protest. The teaching of modern policing skills has become a vital component of the UK’s foreign policy in post-conflict reconstruction in Kosovo, Iraq and elsewhere.
On a smaller scale, the police role in providing reassurance to Defence communities living in or near the MOD environment in Service family accommodation becomes of greater significance where armed forces units are deployed abroad in hostile environments. The provision of civilian police powers to deter, detect and respond to crime & disorder is a key contribution to the life of any community.
Policing of Visting Forces etc
As well as policing MOD sites, MDP is deployed by arrangement at US Air Force bases in the UK, at certain Defence research establishments and at the Royal Mint. Since 2007, armed MDP teams have been posted to a number of sites in the energy sector which have been designated as critical national infrastructure.
Customer service agreements
The Agency deploys its resources at MOD bases and sites under arrangements agreed with Base Commanders, Commanding Officers, or Heads of Station. These arrangements, including the size of the complement deployed and its cost, and the taskings required to match the security risks, are contained in a formal Customer Service Agreement with the site or with the Service Command or top level budget.
A national Police Force
Unlike most other police forces, MDP has a national footprint, with officers stationed across the UK. It is highly specialised and some of its capabilities are highly valued by other forces. The Metropolitan Police, which takes the lead on all terrorism investigations, called on MDP officers with specialised police search skills to help examine the scene of the failed Glasgow airport terrorist attack in 2007.