Gibraltar Defence Police

File:Gibraltar Defence Police car (1).JPG

The Gibraltar Defence Police is one of three civilian police forces within the UK Ministry of Defence. Officers are sworn under the Police Act of the Laws of Gibraltar. The Chief of Police is currently John McVea. An independent civilian police force which also provides civilian unarmed guards, the Chief of Police is responsible to the Commander, British Forces Gibraltar.

In 2020, the strength of the force was said to be:{{cn|date=September 2021}} one chief of police, one deputy chief of police, two chief inspectors, five inspectors, 14 sergeants, 72 constables, together with civilian support staff and uniformed guards.

As of 2023, the total strength of the force was said to be about 100 officers.{{cite web | url=https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2023/01/19/gibraltar-defence-police-face-up-to-detailed-inspection-for-first-time-in-85-year-history/ | title=GIBRALTAR DEFENCE POLICE FACE UP TO DETAILED INSPECTION FOR FIRST TIME IN 85-YEAR HISTORY |work=The Olive Press |last=Culatto |first=John |date=19 January 2023 |access-date=6 March 2024}}

Since 2016 the GDP has shared a purpose-built headquarters with the British Armed Forces Joint Provost and Security Unit (JPSU) (military police) at HM Naval Base Gibraltar.

Pay and conditions of the force are identical to those of the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) in the United Kingdom, of which it is a direct equivalent. The Gibraltar Defence Police Federation represents the interests of police officers up to the rank of chief inspector.

There is no specialist firearms unit. Like the MDP, all GDP officers are trained in the use of firearms.

The force has a Marine Unit, founded in 1990, which consists of a sergeant and over 20 constables. It is charged with the seaward defence of Gibraltar's Royal Navy facilities and the warships moored in them, and also assists the Royal Gibraltar Police Marine Section with general security and enforcement patrols of waters surrounding Gibraltar. It operates two motor launches and two rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs). The original {{convert|10|m|adj=on}} motor launches of 1998 were replaced in 2003 with larger and faster {{convert|15|m|adj=on}} launches. One of these was itself replaced with a newer boat in 2012.

In 2021, the Ministry of Defence contracted with Marine Specialised Technology to build 16 new patrol boats for the Ministry of Defence Police and a further two specifically for the Gibraltar Defence Police. The new 15m boats, which are replacing the existing vessels, have a crew of three (plus room for four more passengers), a top speed of 30 knots and are fitted with both ballistic protection and CCTV surveillance systems. Delivery of the vessels was expected to begin in July 2022.{{cite web |title=Two new vessels for GDP as part of £36m MoD contract |url=https://www.chronicle.gi/two-new-vessels-for-gdp-as-part-of-36m-mod-contract/ |access-date=14 September 2023 |website=Gibraltar Chronicle |date=17 June 2021}}

The RHIBs are Arctic 24 type boats, capable of speeds up to {{convert|55|knot}}.The boats and their speed capabilities are outlined [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/gibraltar-defence-police-learn-advanced-power-boat-skills here]. Since 2011, the police marine unit has shared a headquarters and boathouse with the Gibraltar Squadron of the Royal Navy. The boathouse holds the Navy's five patrol boats and RHIBs, and the police's four patrol boats and RHIBs.Details on the [http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Latest-News/2011/August/03/110803-Old-Boathouse-is-new-home-for-Gibraltar-Squadron Royal Navy website].

The GDP dog section was formed in 2012, and consists of a team of handlers, led by a sergeant, and six general purpose dogs. The initial six dogs are of the Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) and Dutch Shepherd Dog breeds. The GDP previously relied on service dogs and handlers seconded from United Kingdom police forces, but as part of the GDP Project Euston, which seeks to replace all secondment from UK forces with locally provided Gibraltarian services, the GDP dog section has been established.References for breeds and Project Euston may be found on the [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/gibraltar-defence-police-welcome-four-legged-recruits UK Government website].

The force seconds officers to the Gibraltar Co-ordinating Centre for Criminal Intelligence and Drugs (GCID).

The rank structure of the GDP follows other British police forces, with ranks from chief officer down to constable.

A collection of photographs of the GDP:

File:GB Airways aircraft landing at Gibraltar Airport.jpg|GDP officer

File:Gibraltar Defence Police shed at runway crossing.JPG|Gibraltar Defence Police shed at runway crossing

File:Boats of the Gibraltar Defence Police Marine Unit MOD 45157643.jpg|An Arctic 24 Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) and the police launch 'Sir Evan Gibb', both of the Gibraltar Defence Police Marine Unit are pictured at speed in the Bay of Gibraltar.

File:Boats of the Gibraltar Defence Police Marine Unit MOD 45157642.jpg|The same boats, but with a view from the front

File:Gibraltar Police Car 4 x 4.jpg|Gibraltar Police 4x4, notice the naval ('RN') number plate - all GDP vehicles carry military number plates

File:Gibraltar Police car 3.jpg|Gibraltar Police Ford police car

• Royal Gibraltar Police
• His Majesty's Customs (Gibraltar)
• Border and Coastguard Agency (Gibraltar)
• Law of Gibraltar
• British Overseas Territories
• List of law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.mod.uk/linked_files/mdp/TT121_Gibraltar.pdf GSP Marine Unit]

{{UK crown dependency and overseas territory police forces}}

{{Gibraltar topics}}

Gibraltar

Category:Ministry of Defence Police

Category:Law enforcement agencies of Gibraltar

Category:2000s establishments in Gibraltar

Category:2009 establishments in British Overseas Territories

Category:Civilian police forces of defense ministries