‘Tough guys’ of the Met

THE Territorial Support Group — to which both suspended police officers belong — is the most confrontational unit within the Met, according to one woman officer.

Its members, who can be identified by a "U" on shoulder epaulette numbers, are better known as the "tough guys and girls" of the Met.

The officer said: "As a member of the TSG you have to be expected to police firmly and effectively. You get to deal directly with members of the public on a physical level because you have a lot of back-up in terms of the numbers of colleagues who are present with you. You do get an adrenaline rush but you do have to keep your cool."

Each "serial" of TSG officers comprises three Mercedes van-loads, each of which has six constables and a sergeant. When policing events in which disorder is foreseen, they are issued with "Nato" helmets, flame-retardant overalls, stab vests, gloves, balaclavas and boots.

The woman, who was at one stage the only female among 130 male colleagues, policed the anti-Iraq war demo in 2003, as well as various May demos.

She said: "As an officer you go to these things expecting to be abused, spat at and sworn at. I've had my elbow broken and my shoulder dislocated. On one occasion the crowd was so forceful I was completely lifted off my feet."

She added: "I think recent events have had tragic consequences but it's not a reflection of the TSG as whole and it would be unfair to tarnish all TSG officers with the same brush. We take a lot of abuse and put up with a lot of hostility from the public."

She says most officers want to be part of the TSG as it is the most action-packed unit and therefore considered the most prestigious, but the training and interview process is so rigorous that many do not qualify.