In 2010, two female police officers were separately recognised for their work in helping to train policewomen in Afghanistan. Constable Amanda Henderson was given the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service while Sergeant Isabelle McManus received both the British Association for Women Police Leadership Award as well as Opportunity Now’s Champion Award. They were rewarded for their dedication and contribution in bringing Afghan female police trainees up to par with their male equivalents. Despite the extreme difficulty of their project, the two managed to proceed with their training programmes.
Both are members of the Ministry of Defence Police.
The British Ministry of Defence has its own civilian police force known as the Ministry of Defence Police or MDP. As such, the MDP is mainly responsible for providing policing services to Ministry of Defence establishments and personnel nationwide. Its duties include providing services that suit the special needs of Ministry of Defence units and installations. For instance, MDP officers offer defensive armed policing in highly critical locations and situations. MDP officers are also essential in providing security for Defence communities in high-risk locations abroad. The MDP likewise plays an active role in the reconstruction of foreign conflict zones such as in Iraq and Afghanistan, especially in police training and education. In addition, the MDP is responsible for policing areas where visiting forces are stationed.
The Ministry of Defence Police calls on a force of about 3500 active officers. The force is divided into five divisions, each with its own command and control facilities. Although MPD officers have similar powers and privileges as those of other police constables, MPD officers hold a somewhat different status. For instance, its scope of authority is national and inclusive of Defence environments and affairs which may require international policing. Additionally, MPD constables are trained in using firearms. In fact, a majority of them carry firearms on duty.
Due to the unique challenges that the Ministry of Defence Police faces, it is understandably a specialised force. Policing the Defence Estates and other key sites in the country requires expertise not seen in most police forces. For this reason, other police offices sometimes request assistance from MDP officers within their area. During the failed terrorist plot at Glasgow airport in 2007, officers from the Metropolitan Police and MPD worked closely together.
It is clear that the MPD is in its own class of policing. Regardless of its functions, however, the dedication and competence that make a police force a true service are still present within in ranks. Officers like Constable Henderson and Sergeant McManus are fine examples of a police force that serves Great Britain as well as the world.
