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The Operational Support Unit (OSU) is the Ministry of Defence Police centrally managed, multi-capability, national response unit. Its specialist skills may be deployed anywhere in the UK at short notice. These include public order duties, anti-terrorist search teams.The actual duties carried out are dependent upon the specific needs of the occasion at any given time and are prioritised appropriately via the Force’s Tactical Tasking and Co-ordinating Group. The OSU still remains one of the Agency’s primary providers of surge capacity. The OSU provides expertise and support in a range of
specialist areas, such as Public Order, Defensive Search, CBRN response, Rope Access and Cutting and Firearms.
They also provide search and firearms teams for the nuclear convoys. The training and standards employed in all of these specialist areas meet those laid down by the relevant ACPO Manuals of Guidance and by the MDP Policy and Procedures Manual.[1]
| Operational Support Unit | |
|---|---|
| File:MDPbadge.jpg | |
| Active | 1991 – Present |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch | Director of Operational Support |
| Type | Domestic Law Enforcement |
| Role | Counter Terrorism, Public Order, Law Enforcement, CBRN |
| Part of | Ministry of Defence Police |
| Nickname(s) | OSU |
Locations
The MDP has two Operational Support Units, sited stratigically to cover the North and South of the UK. Although both based in England, the OSUs also regularly work in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- OSU South - Based at Wethersfield in Essex (Co-located with Agency HQ)
- OSU North - Based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse
Role
The MDP Operational Support Units are a strategic, specialist policing reserve providing the Agency with a flexible and mobile response. They also provide the Agency with an extended, overarching ability to respond to the diverse and varied policing and security needs of the Ministry of Defence. The OSUs have a number of specialisms:[2]
Public Order
All OSU officers are Level One trained in Public Order (the highest standard) and can provide Police Support Units to deal with protester activity that may escalate and become violent. As part of this Public Order capability, the OSU can deploy Method of Entry Teams to secure access to premises to arrest occupants, or search and secure evidence.
General Policing Support
OSU officers can be deployed to provide policing and specialist support services to Divisional colleagues at events such as Royal or VIP visits or Military Open Days. They also provide uniformed assistance to CID and Fraud Squad investigations, and can be deployed to carry out high visibility patrols of Service quarters and other vulnerable sites during times of tension and heightened terrorist threat.
Specialist Firearms Support
All OSU officers are Authorised Firearms Officers, and are trained to exacting and high standards on multiple weapons systems. Whether armed or unarmed, they have the training and capability to support or respond to any incidents whether pre-planned or spontaneous which occur on the MOD estate.
Search
All OSU officers are search trained and are nationally accredited by the Police National Search Centre. Officers are able to conduct offensive and defensive searches within a range of environments, and are capable of being deployed alongside AES dogs in order to assist with searches of vehicles and buildings.
Rope Access and Protestor Removal Teams
OSU officers are trained in Rope Access and confined spaces techniques, enabling an effective response to spontaneous incidents and demonstrations at Defence locations where protesters blockade entry or exit points or scale high-level buildings or structures. All members of the Rope Access teams are trained to national standards and are able to use an extensive range of cutting equipment. They can also be tasked with searching areas at height.
CBRN Response (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear)
The OSU forms the higher echelon response for CBRN incidents within the MOD. They have their own cadre of instructors with links to both the national Police and Armed Forces CBRN schools. The OSU is capable of being deployed to conduct chemical reconnaissance, or surveys and profiling, and operates small decontamination units. Officers can adopt a firearms posture in CBRN conditions and have access to relevant chemical agent monitors, alarms and other equipment.
References
See also
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