Palace of Westminster Division

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The Palace of Westminster Division (also called SO17, from its Specialist Operations designation) is a branch of the London Metropolitan Police responsible for the security of the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament). None of its officers are armed, with armed protection being provided by officers from the Diplomatic Protection Group.

SO17 is part of the Royalty and Diplomatic Protection Department, however in 2005 the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, announced that Specialist Operations units were to be re-aligned. The plans included forming 3 new departments within Specialist Operations to carry out specific functions:

1. Protecting People, (Splitting the functions of both SO14 & SO16 and merging them with parts of SO17, SO18 and SO12)
2. Protecting Places, (Splitting the functions of both SO14 & SO16 and merging them with parts of SO17 and SO18)
3. Counter Terrorism Command (Merging SO12 & SO13 together)

[edit] See also

• Palace of Westminster Security
• United States Capitol Police