Royal Air Force Police - Organisation

Organisation

The RAF Police is headed by the Provost Marshal, who holds the rank of Group Captain. Group Captain Mark Sexton is the current Provost Marshal (RAF).

There is a detachment of RAFP at most RAF stations. Usually the detachment consists of a flight, commanded by a Flying Officer or Flight Lieutenant. Either a Flight Sergeant or Sergeant is usually the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of a flight. A Warrant Officer sometimes commands a police flight in place of a commissioned officer, or acts as second-in-command of the flight at larger establishments. These flights are then responsible to and directed by RAF Police Squadrons, that are based at larger stations around the UK, who are themselves responsible to, and directed by the Provost Marshal of the RAF Police, through their respective Wing Commanders.

RAF Policemen and women are not responsible to, or under the direct command of, the Commanding Officer of the station at which they are based and their authority to act as Service Police Officers stems directly from the Armed Forces Act 2006. Service Police Officers are also capable of issuing lawful commands to any service person, no matter what rank or trade.

The RAF Police also fulfills the RAF's Protective Security (PS) role, similar to that carried out by the British Army, Intelligence Corps. Unlike their Intelligence Corps counterparts, who tend to specialise in a particular area, RAF Police Protective Security specialists are trained in all aspects of the role. IT Security (ITSy) is a further specialisation within the protective security field and personnel trained to this level, are expected to perform all PS and ITSy related tasks.

Modern RAF Police flights may operate shifts, but these are usually only involved in general policing duties and are normally commanded by a Substantive Corporal (larger shifts may require a Sergeant). The police flight will normally consist of a Community Police Section, a General Police Duties Section, and a Protective Security Section.

When deploying on operations (currently Operation Herrick) RAF Policemen and women are employed on Counter IED teams, Afghan National Police liaison teams, in Infantry Close Support roles, force protection duties or duties involving Air Transport Security, as well as general policing duties.

On the 12th May 2012 Cpl Brent McCarthy a RAF Policeman stationed at RAF Brize Norton was shot and killed in action in Helmand Province whilst carrying out Close Support Duties.