<
The officer, who is
being held at a London police station, was arrested after a stash
of unlawfully held ammunition, believed to be from official
police supplies, was found in a personal locker within Buckingham
Palace.
An official investigation was originally launched several
weeks ago over reports from other officers that ammunition stashes
had been found among personal belongings, culminating in today’s
arrest.
According to the statement from the Met, the Royal Household have
been made aware of the investigation and today’s arrest.
Although the officer was not assigned to any specific member of the
Royal Family, the police say he was in a protection role within
SO14, which would mean he carried firearms as part of his role.
There are strict rules within Royalty Protection and other armed
commands of the Metropolitan Police governing the correct storage
of weaponry and its usage, all weapons and ammunition are
required to be stored safely away when officers aren’t on duty.
This latest news comes as the Met Police announce a shakeup of the
protection command in order to try to improve efficiency of the
unit, which is regarded as among the most highly
skilled within the police force.
The officers within Royalty Protection, whilst plain clothed, are
not detectives but specially trained firearms officers with the
primary responsibility for looking after the security of members of
the Royal Family and, in conjunction with the Army, the security of
royal residences.
Police say the arrested officer will be suspended from duty as a
result of the arrest, his home and the room within the internal
Police Station at Buckingham Palace where the ammunition was
discovered are also being searched. He is being questioned
regarding misconduct in public office and unlawful possession of
ammunition.
Buckingham Palace has not commented on the statement.
photo credit: dannyfowler via photopin
cc]]>
