Counter Terrorism Policing is the national collaboration of police forces working to prevent, deter, and investigate terrorism in the United Kingdom .
41-863: The network is governed by the National Police Collaboration Agreement Relating to Counter Terrorism Activities Made Under Section 22A of the Police Act 1996 . The network is accountable to the United Kingdom Government and the National Police Chiefs' Council Counter Terrorism Coordination Committee which is chaired by the Metropolitan Police Service Assistant Commissioner of Specialist Operations (ACSO) who also acts as
82-805: A constable in the execution of his duty . Subsequently, the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 increased the maximum sentence on summary conviction to 12 months. This legislation in the United Kingdom , or its constituent jurisdictions, article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Special Branch#United Kingdom Special Branch is a label customarily used to identify units responsible for matters of national security and intelligence in British , Commonwealth , Irish, and other police forces. A Special Branch unit acquires and develops intelligence, usually of
123-596: A political or sensitive nature, and conducts investigations to protect the State from perceived threats of subversion , particularly terrorism and other extremist political activity. The first Special Branch, or Special Irish Branch , as it was then known, was a unit of London's Metropolitan Police formed in March 1883 to combat the Irish Republican Brotherhood . The name became Special Branch as
164-562: A system of arbitration to resolve workplace disputes was instituted. The constitution of the Police Federation is set out in the amended Police Federation Regulations 1969. Sections 65 to 88 concern the rules of the Police Complaints Authority , handling complaints made against the police, and procedures for disciplinary hearings and dismissal of officers. Section 89(1) creates the offence of assaulting
205-762: Is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which defined the current police areas in England and Wales, constituted police authorities for those areas, and set out the relationship between the Home Secretary and the English and Welsh territorial police forces . It replaced the Police and Magistrates' Courts Act 1994 , which in turn had replaced the Police Act 1964 . Sections 1 to 35 concern
246-591: Is responsible for collecting, assessing, and collating significant intelligence and communicating it to the government through periodic and special reports. The special branch functions as an intelligence agency and as the eyes and ears of the respective state governments. The special branch consists of several units such as Intelligence, Security, Internal Security, and sub-units like the extremist cell, digital surveillance unit, organized crime cell, VVIP security, bomb detection disposal squad, foreigners cell, passport verification, etc." There have been many allegations that
287-679: Is the focal point for on counter terrorism policing and related issues and is responsible for developing national counter terrorism and domestic extremism strategic policy through the Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters (CTPHQ). The CTCC also liaises with government and other partners on behalf of UK police forces. The CTCC is also staffed by a small number of chief police officers dedicated full-time to providing strategic direction and coordination relating to particular counter terrorism policing themes. The Counter Terrorism Policing Senior Leadership as defined by
328-611: Is the main domestic intelligence and security service in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas . It is mandated to perform intelligence operations inside the Bahamas to ensure the safety of Bahamian citizens and foreigners. The branch is also mandated to perform background checks on persons who have been recruited for jobs such as police officers and defence force officers and to check persons up for promotions. The Director of
369-658: Is usually by recruitment. Even though it is a police unit, Special Branch also recruits from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces . The unit's name was changed to the Fiji Police Intelligence Bureau in 2009. According to the Fijian government, this was done due to the "impact of modern crimes with other unlawful and illegal activities in national development demands dramatic changes in the Force." This
410-713: The Bangladesh Police . The chief of the Special Branch has the rank of Additional Inspector General (Addl IGP) and reports directly to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh . It is responsible for the internal affairs of the country and collecting intelligence on behalf of the security services. The ISD was created to replace the Royal Brunei Police's Special Branch division, which was disbanded on August 1, 1993. The RCMP Security Service
451-775: The Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) launched an armed uprising to establish a communist state. It was structured under the Singapore Police Force and headed by a Deputy Commissioner. After Singapore achieved independence, the SSB was renamed as the Internal Security Department and became a separate agency on 17 February 1966, together with its foreign counterpart, the Security and Intelligence Division (SID). Both agencies operated under
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#1732793665149492-637: The Garda Síochána , such as the National Surveillance Unit (NSU) and Emergency Response Unit (ERU), and Ireland's national and military intelligence agency – the Defence Forces Directorate of Military Intelligence . The Special Detective Unit has a close working relationship with similar units in other western countries, particularly the United Kingdom, who share information to target, detect and disrupt
533-549: The Intelligence Bureau (IB), India's federal internal security agency. The nomenclature varies from state to state, such as State Special Branch (SSB), Special Branch CID (SB-CID), State Intelligence Department (SID),etc. The Special Branch functions at the state level and is headed by a senior-ranked officer, the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP). The State Special Branch
574-460: The National Police Chiefs' Council is a national coordination body made of chief officers of the nine regional lead counter terrorism police forces and other thematic leads alongside senior representatives of government departments and other agencies including the Home Office and MI5 . It is chaired by Metropolitan Police Service Assistant Commissioner of Specialist Operations . The CTCC
615-714: The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary in 1950. The British South Africa Police (BSAP) developed its Special Branch in the early 1950s amid growing political unrest in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland . It remained active following the dissolution of the federation and was instrumental in creating the Selous Scouts during the Rhodesian Bush War . Following formal recognition of Zimbabwean independence in 1980,
656-482: The United Kingdom to help prevent, disrupt and prosecute terrorist activities. Units are regionally based and resourced by regional police forces and are composed of detectives, financial and cyber investigators, community contact teams, intelligence analysts, and forensic specialists. Each CTU provides coordination and specialist support for their respective regions. The CTUs are located as follows: The Regional Counter Terrorism Intelligence Units are also resourced by
697-673: The 'Special Branch' is known officially as the Special Detective Unit (SDU). The counter-terrorist and counterintelligence unit operates under the auspices of the Crime & Security Branch (CSB) of the Garda Síochána (Irish National Police). The SDU is responsible for the investigation of threats to state security and the monitoring of persons and groups who pose a threat on both national and international fronts. The SDU works closely with other special units within
738-662: The ANC and SACP. They first gained this role in the 1960s, under the regime of Justice Minister "B.J." Vorster, who convened the Special Branch to target these groups. Controversially, they have also been linked to the bombing of anti-apartheid groups COSATU and SACC during the South African Truth & Reconciliation Committees. It is now the Crime Intelligence Unit which investigates crime but which continues to investigate groups perceived to be enemies of
779-708: The Counter Terrorism Policing. The CTPHQ also coordinates national projects and programmes, provides administrative and support services to the national network, advises the government on budgets and resourcing for counter terrorism policing in England and Wales. Within the CTPHQ is the Counter Terrorism Policing Operations Centre serving as the central operational command made up of units that provide operational support to Counter Terrorism Policing. Teams within
820-591: The Head of Counter Terrorism Policing. The network is also functionally coordinated by two Senior National Coordinators who are usually Metropolitan Police Service Deputy Assistant Commissioners co-located within the Counter Terrorism Command . Counter Terrorism Policing stretches across the United Kingdom and sees specialist officers and staff working with the Home Office , MI5 and other intelligence, security and criminal justice agencies around
861-888: The National Counter Terrorism Collaboration Agreement as the CTCC Chair, Vice Chair(s)s, the Senior National Coordinator Pursue, the Senior National Coordinator Protect & Prepare, the Director General of CTPHQ, and the Director of Counter Terrorism Resources. The Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters is responsible for developing policy and strategy and providing a single national voice on behalf of
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#1732793665149902-612: The Operations Centre are: The Senior National Coordinator for Pursue is responsible for coordinating counter terrorism investigations. The Senior National Coordinator for Protect & Prepare is responsible for advising and coordinating national Counter Terrorism Policing protection and preparation activities. Counter Terrorism Policing is made up of eleven regional Counter Terrorism Units (CTUs) and regional Counter Terrorism Intelligence Units (CTIUs) which bring together intelligence, operations and investigation functions around
943-563: The Security Intelligence Branch holds the rank of Chief Superintendent. The Bangladeshi Special Branch is an intelligence agency of Bangladesh Police . The Special Branch has twelve different sections through which it carries out the directives of the Government and around 64 district based offices, called District Special Branch and also has offices in many Upazila/Thana areas. All the members are recruited from
984-399: The Special Branch is used by the ruling government for setting up surveillance on their political opponents. The Special Branch has its own Detective Constables , Head Constables, Inspector rankings and superior police officer rankings. Every police station is to have a Special Branch head constable or Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) (working plain clothes or Mufti ), he would be observing
1025-879: The Special Branch was succeeded in part by the Central Intelligence Organisation and later, the Police Internal Security and Intelligence division (PISI). The Internal Security Department of Singapore was initially established as the Criminal Intelligence Department in 1918 after the Sepoy Mutiny of 1915. In 1933, the CID was renamed as Special Branch. In 1939, it was restructured into the Malayan Security Service (MSS) which
1066-608: The Special Branch, following a recent precedent established by a conference of Police Commissioners in Melbourne in November 1949. Its functions included dealing with subversive organisations and vetting public servants. Known targets of the Special Branch included the Communist Party of New Zealand , the Waterside Workers' Union , and the left-wing New Zealand diplomat and alleged KGB spy Desmond Patrick Costello and
1107-478: The activities of terrorists. The Malaysian Special Branch is an intelligence agency attached to the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP). The SB is empowered to acquire and develop intelligence on internal and external threats to the nation, subversive activities, extremist activities and activities of sabotage and spying. It is also empowered to analyse and advise on the necessary course of action to
1148-931: The civil servant and intellectual Bill Sutch . In November 1956, the Special Branch's functions were transferred to the New Zealand Security Service , which was later renamed the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service . The Special Branch is an intelligence unit of the Police Service of Pakistan . Special Branch sections of the New Guinea Police Force and Royal Papuan Constabulary, in Australia-controlled Territory of Papua and Territory of New Guinea , were established in 1947. These were merged into
1189-788: The former Ministry of Interior and Defence until 11 August 1970, when the ministry was split into the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and MHA with SID and ISD falling under the them respectively. During Apartheid , the South African Police 's Security Branch, also known as the Special Branch was a police unit often used to attack anti- Apartheid groups using techniques and tactics including such as conducting surveillance, infiltrating meetings, recruiting informers, and obtaining documents and leaflets. They have also been linked to torture, extralegal detention, and forced disappearances and assassinations against anti-Apartheid activists in
1230-533: The national and regional organisation of the police force, with slightly differently applicable rules inside and outside London. Sections 36 to 58 concern the functions of the Secretary of State in setting the police forces' objectives, handling budgets, and making more detailed regulations. Sections 59 to 64 concern the Police Federation of England and Wales and related rules. Section 64 contains
1271-406: The police forces in their respective areas and carry out primarily intelligence gathering operations. The CTIUs are located as follows: In addition to the regional counter terrorism units, local Special Branches assist in protecting national security and are in some police forces managed and tasked by the regional counter terrorism units. Police Act 1996 The Police Act 1996 (c. 16)
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1312-487: The prohibition (in place since the Police Act 1919 ) on police becoming members of a trade union which can take strike action , under the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 . The Police Federation was thought to be a substitute, given the potential for civil unrest that might develop if police stopped working to go on strike. This was thought to make the police exceptional, and as an alternative,
1353-424: The society in general, and also taking reports from the uniformed police constables on general patrol. The special branch staff play a very important role in collecting advance intelligence about law and order matters as well as illegal activities like cannabis plantation/transportation, illicit attacks, etc. They forward the information to the respective Superintendents of police for necessary action. In Ireland,
1394-556: The state such as social movements. The Special Branch of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka ) was created in late 1966 tasked with national security as an intelligence agency attached Ceylon Police Force . This was closed down in 1970. The first Special Branch in the world was that of the Metropolitan Police , formed in London in 1883, with each British police force going on to form its own Special Branch. In Northern Ireland,
1435-452: The unit's remit widened to include more than just Irish Republican-related counterespionage. Most state police forces and the federal police had a Special Branch. They were tasked mainly with monitoring the Communist Party of Australia and related political groups regarded as extremist or subversive. They also focused on German and Japanese activity during World War II . The Security and Intelligence Branch , also known as Special Branch,
1476-753: The various departments and agencies both within the Police Department and other related agencies. The Special Branch under the control of the Myanmar Police Force is also known as the Special Intelligence Department. The New Zealand Police Special Branch was formally created on 29 December 1949. At the time, the-then Police Commissioner Jim Cummings decided that the section of the Police Force dealing with subversive organisations would be designated
1517-607: The world. It is made up of dedicated regional Counter Terrorism Units and national police units and is responsible for the delivery of the policing contribution to the CONTEST strategy. The Australian Federal Police 's Joint Counter-Terrorism Teams , Canada 's Integrated National Security Enforcement Teams , and the United States ' Joint Terrorism Task Force model can be seen as analogous to Counter Terrorism Policing. The Counter Terrorism Coordination Committee (CTCC) of
1558-797: Was a counterintelligence unit or "Special Branch" from 1950 to 1984. It was replaced by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service . The Special Branch unit of the Fiji Police Force is classed as one of the best intelligence units in the Asia Pacific region. Similar to their Commonwealth counterparts, the Fijian Special Branch deals with matters of national security. They facilitate Interpol, counter terrorism, surveillance, anti-espionage and VIP protection units. Entry into Special Branch
1599-796: Was also done while the police force was being modernised. In the face of a perceived direct Communist threat to Hong Kong, an Anti-Communist Squad was established in the Criminal Investigation Department of the then Hong Kong Police by 1930. It was named the Political Department in Chinese (政治部). In 1933, the squad's English name became "Special Branch" while its Chinese name remained unchanged. In addition to anti-subversion operations, its role during its first two decades also included immigration, passport control and registration of persons. The division
1640-413: Was disbanded in 1995, prior to the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997. Units of SB were reassigned under the Security Wing (Department B) – Crime and Security. The Special Branch is a separate wing in the state police agencies in India. Like their counterparts in the United Kingdom, they deal with matters of state security. However, more serious espionage detection is the responsibility of
1681-414: Was not yet fully operational by the time of the outbreak of the Second World War . The MSS was disrupted by the Japanese invasion and subsequent occupation of Singapore and Malaya . It was disbanded in 1948 and two secret branches, one in Singapore and the other in Malaysia, were created. The Singapore Special Branch (SSB) was first established on 23 August 1948 by the British colonial government, after