A probe into alleged misconduct by royal police officers has been widened as more cops will be looked into.
An investigation has already led to over 20 royal protection officers being handed misconduct notices but police will reportedly now be looking into officers at Buckingham Palace. The urgent probe into the Metropolitan Police’s Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP) was launched following claims officers failed in their duty to protect King Charles III. Some officers were even accused of falling asleep on the job and other allegedly failed to attend their post after clocking in for duty.
The Royalist and Specialist Protection team is responsible for security at the castle, despite it sitting within the jurisdiction of Thames Valley Police.
View 3 ImagesA probe into royal police officers will be extended to Buckingham Palace(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The Met Police said 23 officers were served with misconduct notices, in relation to investigations at Windsor Castle, and 21 of them have been placed on restricted duties. It added the other two “are not formally restricted but will not be deployed to any royal residence while the investigation continues”.
The Met Police’s Directorate of Professional Standards is behind the investigation and a source, according to The Sun, said: “The probe is widening and is now looking at RaSP officers working at Buckingham Palace and other Royal locations. There are concerns that the slapdash practices at Windsor are widespread and happening at other Royal palaces.”
A Met Police spokesperson told the Mirror: “The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards has launched an urgent investigation following concerns raised regarding the conduct of a number of officers on protective duties at Windsor Castle.
View 3 ImagesA probe has already been launched into some royal cops at Windsor Castle(Image: Getty Images)
“The allegations include officers leaving posts unattended and sleeping while on duty. The alleged behaviour falls below the high standards expected of officers, particularly in frontline protective roles.
“The Independent Office for Police Conduct has been informed and concluded that this matter will be investigated locally by the Met.”
The Met added: “As part of the investigation, enquiries are being made as to the conduct of officers on protective duties at other royal residences. This is ongoing.” The Sun previously reported the King and the Royal Household is aware of the investigation.
The duties of the specialist unit include foot patrols and being deployed to the castle entrances. Further security measures are found in the form of alarms, sensors and fencing.
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Following the initial news of some RaSP officers being probed at Windsor Castle, Head of the Met, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, said in a statement: “Our Directorate of Professional Standards has launched an urgent investigation following concerns raised regarding the conduct of a number of officers on protective duties at Windsor Castle.
“The allegations include officers leaving posts unattended and sleeping while on duty. The alleged behaviour falls below the high standards expected of officers, particularly in frontline protective roles.”