Gibraltar Defence Police
The Gibraltar Defence Police is a civil police force which provides a policing and security service for the Ministry of Defence in Gibraltar. Prior to 17 December 2009 it was known as the Gibraltar Services Police.
Overview
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.Structure
In 2020, the strength of the force was said to be: 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.
Headquarters
Since 2016 the GDP has shared a purpose-built headquarters with the British Armed Forces Joint Provost and Security Unit at HM Naval Base Gibraltar.Pay and conditions
Pay and conditions of the force are identical to those of the Ministry of Defence Police 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.Specialist units
Firearms
There is no specialist firearms unit. Like the MDP, all GDP officers are trained in the use of firearms.Marine unit
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. The original motor launches of 1998 were replaced in 2003 with larger and faster 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, 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.
The RHIBs are Arctic 24 type boats, capable of speeds up to. 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.