Ministry Of Defence Police

The Ministry Of Defence Police (MDP) is a civilian police force that polices MOD establishments. All MDP Police Officers are trained in the use of firearms and are usually armed.

The MDP consists of 2 main divisions:

• Nuclear Division
• Territorial Division

MDP Officers pictured with a Nissan Pathfinder and several dogs from the Dog Section. The MDP fields a large number of working dogs in a range of roles, including Tactical Firearms Support Dogs who deploy on firearms operations.

photo by Bellerophon | public domain image

MDP Weapons

Most MDP officers are armed with the Heckler and Koch (H&K) MP7, a semi-automatic 4.6mm personal defence weapon (PDW). Depending on role, others may be armed with a SA80A2 rifle, Colt Canada C8 rifle, L129A1 (LM7) rifle, Sig Sauer P229 pistol, X26 Taser and H&K AEP Launcher.^[1]

A MDP officer, wearing CBRN protective gear, takes aim with a H&K MP7 at a firing range. The MP7, known within the MDP as the Utility Weapon, was brought in to replace the Browning 9mm pistol, H&K MP5 and the SA80A2 rifle.. The MP7 fires a 4.6mm x 30mm projectile designed to penetrate modern body armour.

photo by REadyphotr | used with thanks under CC Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

MDP Specialist Units

One of the MDP's roles is protecting the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent. This includes standing tactical teams that guard establishments that make, store and decommission nuclear warheads, armed convoys that move nuclear weapons on road journeys and a marine unit that protects Trident submarines.

Tactical Support Group (TSG)

The Tactical Support Group provides a dedicated specialist firearms capability for Atomic Weapons Establishments (AWE) at Aldermaston and Burghfield. Specialist Firearms Officers (SFO) stand ready to provide an emergency armed response to any threat against the nuclear weapons held at these establishments. TSG training includes hostage rescue, close quarters battle (CQB) and the recapture of stolen nuclear materials.

Special Escort Group (SEG)

The Special Escort Group provides armed protection for the transport of nuclear materials around the United Kingdom. In this role, the SEG works closely with other agencies, including Royal Marines from 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group. Nuclear convoys typically consists of one or more unmarked articulated lorries carrying the sensitive materials, escorted by MDP vehicles, military and other police vehicles.

Several SEG convoys can be seen on Youtube. For example: Stirling Nuke Convoy Passage

A MDP MacNeillie Mercedes armoured Protected Patrol Vehicle of the type used in SEG convoys.

photo by Bestmansid | used with thanks under CC Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

Marine Units

The MDP operates a sizable fleet of patrol vessels which protect Royal Navy bases. This includes Marine Unit Clyde, which patrols Her Majesty's Naval Base, Clyde and escorts Trident submarines in and out of port.

A MDP Marine Unit launch and jet ski escort a Trident submarine out to sea from HMNB Clyde.

Image by Paul Kemp | © UK MOD / Crown Copyright 2012
Used under Open Government Licence

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