NCJ Number
59200
Journal
Police Volume: 10 Issue: 9 Dated: (MAY 1978) Pages: 41-44
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A REPORT ON THE LONDON SPECIAL PATROL GROUP (SPG), A MOBILE RESERVE TO AUGMENT THE METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT, COVERS SPG ACTIVITIES IN HIGH CRIME AREAS, DISTURBANCES, AND BOMBING ATTEMPTS.
Abstract
THE SPG WAS FORMED IN APRIL, 1965, AND DEVELOPED INTO A MOBILE TROUBLESHOOTING FORCE TO BE CALLED IN WHENEVER EXTRA POLICE MANPOWER IS NEEDED. SIMILAR GROUPS HAVE SINCE BEEN SET UP IN BIRMINGHAM, MANCHESTER, AND ULSTER. ALL ITS MEMBERS ARE VOLUNTEERS WHO USUALLY WORK LONG HOURS AND WHO CAN HAVE LEAVE CANCELLED AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE. THE PRIMARY REQUIREMENT FOR PERSONNEL IS FOR SOUND, MATURE JUDGEMENT. NO PROMOTIONS ARE ALLOWED WITHIN THE SPG, AND EACH YEAR ABOUT A QUARTER OF ITS NUMBER IS PROMOTED OUT. HOWEVER, THERE ARE UP TO THREE APPLICANTS FOR EVERY PLACE OPEN. SPG PERSONNEL ARE HIGHLY MOTIVATED WITH TEAM INTERACTION, AND ARE USUALLY SPARED THE USUAL CHORES OF POLICE WORK SO THEY CAN REMAIN ON THE OFFENSIVE AGAINST CRIME. ALTHOUGH THE METROPOLITAN POLICE ARE THEMSELVES 4,300 OFFICERS UNDER STRENGTH, THE SPG IS ALWAYS KEPT UP TO STRENGTH. ANECDOTAL MATERIAL INCLUDES SPG ACTIVITIES AT A LABOR DISTURBANCE, FINDING A STOLEN CAR, SPOTTING THIEVES BY THEIR GUILTY BEHAVIOR, PATROLING FOR PICKPOCKETS AND NARCOTICS DEALERS, SPOTTING AN ALTERED LICENCE PLATE ON A CAR PARKED OUTSIDE SCOTLAND YARD CONTAINING A LARGE GELIGNITE BOMB, COLLECTING TRUANT YOUTHS, DEALING WITH TERRORISTS, AND DELIVERING EMERGENCY FLOOD AID. ILLUSTRATIONS ARE INCLUDED. (TWB)