Specialist Units
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The Royal Air Force Police also has its own Special Investigation Branch (SIB) for the investigation of serious crime. This is effectively the RAF's version of a civilian police Criminal Investigation Department who, like them, operate in plain clothes. This is known as the Specialist Police Wing (SPW), and is split into four geographical regions covering the United Kingdom and Germany. This section of the RAFP is also responsible for forensic investigation through the RAF's own Forensic Science Flight.
The RAFP also has a tactical, deployable squadron, known as the Tactical Provost Wing (TPW). Their major role is forward policing and 'line of communication policing' (LoCP) in conflict zones. TPW was heavily involved in Operation Telic, and are still heavily involved in operations in Afghanistan.
Some RAFP members are also trained in close protection (CP) and carry out CP duties wherever required, ensuring the safety of VIPs and other dignitaries in hostile territories.
The RAFP operates a large police dog section, with detachments at many RAF stations. These dogs are referred to as Air Dog followed by their name, (Air Dog Rex, for example). RAF Police dogs and their handlers currently support overseas operations in theatres such as Iraq & Afghanistan, in both patrol and specialist search roles. As well as their usual German Shepherd dogs, more commonly known as Alsatians, used for the 'attack' role, Labradors and Spaniels are well utilised for their expertise as 'sniffer' dogs for drugs and explosives.
Read more about this topic: Royal Air Force Police
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