Formed 1965 | Jurisdiction Government of Japan | |
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Headquarters Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department | ||
The Security Police (セキュリティポリス, Sekyuritī Porisu), is the Japanese close protection unit mandated with the responsibility of protecting domestic and foreign VIPs on Japanese soil and abroad. Its officers are known to wear the SP insignia on their suit lapel, red neckties, and pocket handkerchiefs on their suits. Its structure has been greatly influenced by the United States Secret Service.
Contents
The SP is under the control of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
History
After an assassination attempt against the then US Ambassador to Japan Edwin O. Reischauer was foiled by police in Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo in 1964, the chairman of the National Public Safety Commission decided to resign. In response, the SP was established in 1965 to protect VIPs during their time on Japanese soil.
Prior to the unit's creation, riot police were used to conduct VIP protection duties.
Duties
SP officers are mandated to provide close protection duties for the following people:
- Prime Minister of Japan, former and current
- Ministers of State
- President of the House of Councillors
- Speaker of the House of Representatives
- Governor of Tokyo
- Foreign VIPs such as heads of states, ambassadors, etc.
Organization
The Security Police is structured in the following way:
Section 1 is mandated to protect the Prime Minister of Japan. Section 2 protects the speakers of the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives. Section 3 is known to conduct duties on guarding foreign VIPs such as ambassadors and heads of state while Section 4 are to protect the Governor of Tokyo and ex-Japanese Prime Ministers.
Requirements
SP candidates are trained in the police academy the same as ordinary police officers, they are taught by the former SP officers and trained for a month. They must serve in the police for five years with the rank of Sergeant in order to be qualified. Moreover, candidates are required to be more than 5.8 feet (173 cm) tall (for male candidates), achieve at least a third dan (rank) in at least one martial art, and have a high level of marksmanship.
Both male and female police officers can qualify for joining the SP.
Items
SP officers are only armed with handguns and expandable batons during their duties. A mini flashlight and a transceiver is also in their list of equipment. Sometimes they used unmarked cars for transport and escort. They have used Mercedes-Benz S600, Toyota Crown, Nissan Teana, Nissan Elgrand,and Toyota HiAce.
The officers carry mostly the NPA-issued Smith & Wesson Model 37 revolver or the SIG P230 semi-automatic pistol. Officers can also be seen armed with pistols such as the Glock 17 or Heckler & Koch P2000.