An inquiry into alleged misconduct by royal police officers is expanding as additional officers come under scrutiny.
The investigation has resulted in more than 20 royal protection officers receiving misconduct notices, with a focus now shifting to officers stationed at Buckingham Palace. This urgent probe was initiated after accusations surfaced that officers within the Metropolitan Police’s Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP) failed in their duty to safeguard King Charles III. Allegations include instances of officers dozing off during their shifts and neglecting their assigned posts.
Despite being under the jurisdiction of Thames Valley Police, the Royalist and Specialist Protection team is responsible for security at Windsor Castle.
The Metropolitan Police disclosed that 23 officers received misconduct notices in connection with the Windsor Castle investigations, with 21 of them placed on restricted duties. The remaining two officers are not formally restricted but will not be deployed to any royal residence during the ongoing investigation.
The Directorate of Professional Standards within the Met Police is spearheading the inquiry, with a source indicating that the scope of the probe now extends to RaSP officers at Buckingham Palace and other royal sites. Concerns have been raised about the prevalence of lax practices observed at Windsor Castle across other royal palaces.
A spokesperson for the Met Police informed the Mirror that the Directorate of Professional Standards launched an urgent investigation following reported misconduct concerns involving officers at Windsor Castle. The alleged behaviors, including leaving posts unattended and sleeping while on duty, are deemed below the expected standards for frontline protective roles.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has been notified, and the Met Police will conduct the investigation locally.
Further investigations are underway concerning the conduct of officers at other royal residences as part of the ongoing inquiry. The Royal Household and King Charles III are reportedly aware of the investigation.
The specialist unit’s responsibilities entail foot patrols, monitoring castle entrances, and implementing security measures such as alarms, sensors, and fencing.
In response to the initial reports of misconduct among RaSP officers at Windsor Castle, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley emphasized the importance of upholding high standards in protective duties in a statement.
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