London Metropolitan police at RAF Lakenheath

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Torri Ingalsbe
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Members of the London Metropolitan Police Service, participating in a protection course, underwent special protection training at RAF Lakenheath Nov. 7. 

The 10 protection officers were in their final week of a four-week intensive training specializing in personal security detail for the royal family, members of the British government and distinguished visitors. 

Lee Bennett, an instructor in the course and the tactical training sergeant for the Metropolitan Police Service, said this is the first time they've conducted training with RAF Lakenheath. 

"We wanted to come here because it's an unknown environment. The students have to deal with different situations here than they would outside of a secure location," Mr. Bennett said. 

The training consisted of three sessions, each with a basic, similar scenario. The course instructors acted as VIPs and were driven to the wing headquarters building. The students did various checks to prepare the conference room for the VIP, where he heard the 48th Fighter Wing mission brief. 

Next, they were escorted out to Memorial Park to do a staged remembrance ceremony. The students surveyed the scene to make sure everything was safe and clear. 

"One of the biggest challenges for the students was dealing with all the different liaisons and agencies on base who must be contacted when bringing distinguished visitors here," Mr. Bennett said. 

Logistically, base involvement in the training was small and simple, consisting of Squadron Leader Jerry Neild, RAF Commander; Natalie Benge, Community Relations Advisor and Capt. Lindsay Blaise, 48th Fighter Wing protocol officer. 

"Not only does this exercise help build good community relations, but if it's successful, we can build upon it in the future and incorporate the 48th Security Forces Squadron and the Office of Special Investigations," Captain Blaise said. "In reality, if we ever had a member of the Royal Family visit our base, the base law agencies would be closely involved with our British counterparts to ensure such a visit would occur without any problems. If the agencies can train together, not only can we learn from both sides, but it paints a more realistic picture of what would really happen if such a visit occurred."