Royal Gibraltar Police

The force, referred to locally as the RGP, currently numbers over 220 officers, who are divided into a number of units. These include CID, Drug Squad, Special Branch, Firearms Unit, Scene of Crime Examiners, Traffic Department, Marine Section and the Operations Division.

From its inception, up until 1999 when St. John Ambulance Brigade took over, the Gibraltar Police provided the territory's only emergency ambulance service, using officers seconded from the Operations Division. The RGP also acted as immigration officers at all entry points until the early 1990s.

The current headquarters is at New Mole House Police Station, Rosia Road. The Previous HQ used to be at 120 Irish Town. There are plans to turn this into a Police Museum. There is a sub-station at Casemates Square.

New Mole House, Royal Gibraltar Police headquarters

In general the uniformed officers of the Gibraltar force follow British police models in their dress. On foot patrol, male constables and sergeants, like their counterparts in England and Wales, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Bermuda, wear the traditional headgear of the "bobby on the beat", correctly known as the "custodian helmet", which is similar to some Army helmets and was adopted by the Metropolitan Police in London in 1863 to replace the top hat formerly worn, other forces then following suit. The helmet is traditionally made of cork covered outside by felt or serge-like material that matches the tunic.

As in many police forces in England and Wales, the Brunswick star is used as the basis for the force badge, with a central device representing Gibraltar. The badge appears also as the helmet plate.[2]

Royal Gibraltar Police Inspector in everyday police uniform

Female uniformed police officer

The RGP rank structure follows the usual UK police pattern, but with fewer ranks. The chief police officer is known as the Commissioner The RGP ranks consist of:

Royal Gibraltar Police ranks and insignia[3][4][5]
Rank	Commissioner	Assistant commissioner	Superintendent	Chief inspector	Inspector	Senior Sergeant	Sergeant	Constable
Epaulette insignia

Royal Gibraltar Police Chief Inspector in No. 1 dress uniform

The Royal Navy Base houses a facility which is jointly used by the marine sections of The Royal Gibraltar Police and the Gibraltar Defence Police. Since 2012 there have been many new additions to the unit including jet skis and larger vessels.[6]

The role of the RGP Marine Section is to enforce the law in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters and this often includes co-operation with other local and international agencies.[7] The RGP Marine Section plays a vital role in anti-drug smuggling operations for the local area.

Vessels of the Royal Gibraltar Police Marine Section:

• Sir William Jackson
• Sir Joshua Hassan
• Sir Francis Richards
• Sir John Chapple

RGP officers employ a wide variety of equipment for police work, such as motor vehicles, sea vessels, arrest equipment and radios. Vehicles carry the UK police 'battenburg' style livery, with blue flashing lights and sirens. Unlike the UK, however, these are left hand drive vehicles, as traffic in Gibraltar drives on the right.

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  Armed Response Vehicle of the Royal Gibraltar Police.
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  Rigid-hulled inflatable boat PMB 2 of the Royal Gibraltar Police Marine Section.
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  Three officers on duty at the Queen's Birthday Parade in 2007.
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  Central Police Station in Irish Town.
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  Crime Scene Investigation Unit in Gibraltar
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  Vessel of the Royal Gibraltar Police Marine Section Sir Joshua Hassan.
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  Vessel of the Royal Gibraltar Police Marine Section Sir William Jackson, one of the newer vessels to be added to the RGP fleet.
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  RGP Ford Kuga patrol car
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  Vessel of the Royal Gibraltar Police Marine Section Sir John Chapple, one of the newer vessels to be added to the RGP fleet.
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  Royal Gibraltar Police Honda motorcycle (2011)
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  Royal Gibraltar Police van (2009)

• Gibraltar Defence Police
• His Majesty's Customs (Gibraltar)
• Border and Coastguard Agency (Gibraltar)
• Law of Gibraltar

• Binnie-Dawson, John (2023). A Genealogically Led History of John Light Bennett, Chief of the Gibraltar Police Force (1895-1911).

• Royal Gibraltar Police official website

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