Port of Portland Police (United Kingdom)
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| Port of Portland Police | |
|---|---|
 Badge of the Portland Port Police | |
 Flag of the Isle of Portland | |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | UK |
| Legal jurisdiction | Port of Portland and up to 1-mile (1.6 km) from boundary. |
| Constituting instrument | |
| General nature | |
| Facilities | |
| Stations | 1 |
| Website | |
| www | |
The Port of Portland Police is a non-Home Office ports police force responsible for the Port of Portland in Dorset, United Kingdom.
History
[edit]The force was established in 1997 when the Portland Harbour Authority bought the port from the British Government.[1] It is a body of constables attested under section 79 of the Harbours, Docks, and Piers Clauses Act 1847 (as incorporated by Portland Harbour Revision Order 1997).[2][3] The Port Police staff the main entrance to the port 24 hours a day, year-round.[4]
Present day
[edit]In February 2018, four new constables were sworn in.[5] In July 2020, the Port Police agreed a memorandum of understanding with the local police force, Dorset Police. This will involve the sharing of assets, improving communication and allowing the collation of information.[6]
Duties
[edit]The Port Police guard the main entrance to the port, 24 hours a day, all-year-round.[4]
The Port Police are responsible for ensuring the security and safety of the port and its tenants, employees, users and visitors as well as the international ships visiting the port.
The Port of Portland has its own byelaws (Portland Port General Byelaws 2018) and these are enforced by the Port Police.[7]
Powers
[edit]All Port Police officers are sworn in as "special constables" under Section 79 of the Harbours, Docks, and Piers Clauses Act 1847 (HDPCA). The act uses the term 'special constable'; at the time this act was passed 'special constable' meant any constable who was not a member of a territorial police force.
As a result, officers have the full powers of a constable on "any land owned by the harbour, dock, or port and at any place within one mile of any owned land".
Uniform
[edit]Portland Port Police officers wear a typical UK Port Police uniform.
- Black t-shirt or white shirt & black tie
- Black trousers
- Black jacket with police markings and rank slide
- Black boots
- Custodian helmet (males) with Portland Port Police helmet badge.[8]
- Peaked cap with black and white checquered cap band and capbadge.[9]
All officers have a "warrant card" which is used to identify their authority as constables.[9]
Rank structure
[edit]The rank structure of the Portland Port Police force is as follows:
| Rank | Port police constable | Sergeant | Inspector |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insignia |  |
 |
|
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Accountability and Standards of the Port Police Forces. Annex H. Portland Port Police Force.
- ^ Article 3, Portland Harbour Revision Order 1997
- ^ "About Us » Harbour Authority » Patrols and Policing". Website of Portland Port. Portland Harbour Authority Limited. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
- ^ a b "Portland Port Police". Website of the Port of Portland. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
- ^ "Portland Port Police welcomes new Constables". Website of the Port of Portland. 18 February 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
- ^ "Dorset Police pilot partnership with Portland Port Police". www.dorset.police.uk. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
- ^ "Portland Port General Byelaws 2018" (PDF). Portland Harbour Authority.
- ^ "New police constables are protecting our shores from an ever-increasing security threat". 3 March 2018.
- ^ a b "New police constable at Portland Port Police sworn in at Weymouth Magistrates' Court". 8 March 2021.