Ministry of Defence Guard Service

The Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) is part of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation of the Ministry of Defence, and provides military establishments across the United Kingdom with unarmed guarding and patrol services.[1]

Ministry of Defence Guard Service
MOD Guard Service Patch and Insignia
Agency overview
Formed1992
Preceding
  • Ministry of Defence Guard Force
JurisdictionUnited Kingdom
Employees2,300+
Agency executive
  • Trevor McKinnon, Chief Executive
Parent agencyDefence Infrastructure Organisation
WebsiteOfficial Website

The MGS deals with access and pass control, key control, vehicle and personnel searching, security patrols of buildings and perimeter fences, dog patrols, CCTV, and alarm monitoring. It also performs other duties like helicopter marshalling, first aid provision, mail and baggage scanning, security sweeps, and health and safety guidance.[2]

Grades

MGS guards are formally known as Civilian Security Officers (CSOs), with the following grades in position:

  • Civilian Security Officer 3 (Operations Manager)
  • Civilian Security Officer 4 (Supervisor)
  • Civilian Security Officer 5 (CSO5).[3]

Grades are often referred to by officers by the grade's number (e.g. CSO4 may be referred to as a 'four' and CSO5 a 'five'). The MGS also has support, administrative and managerial staff members.[4]

A Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) dog handler and his charge, Army Air Corps station at Middle Wallop.

Dog Section

The MGS has its own dog section, made up of CSO5 (Dog Hanlder)s and military working dogs (MWDs), which provide support to other CSOs.[5] The working dogs are an essential requirement to some MoD station's licensing requirements to hold, store and distribute arms and ammunition, as well as other vital assets. The dogs within the MGS are recognised as a force multiplier, in which the MGS say one dog team is as efficient as four officers working a beat patrol. The dog section adheres to MoD, Military and Statutory standards for training and welfare and are subject to the rules of engagement when met with fleeing suspects on defence estates.[6]

Other organisations

The MGS works alongside armed guard services—the Military Provost Guard Service in England, Scotland and Wales, and the Northern Ireland Security Guard Service in Northern Ireland. The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) work closely with the MGS, by providing a police service (armed) to the defence community.

History

From 2004 to 2013 MGS and Ministry of Defence Police worked in the Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency. In April 2013, the MDPGA was disbanded and the MGS joined the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

From 2019 to 2020 MoD Guard Service personnel completed around 800,000 personal and vehicle searches across the Defence estate, confiscated over 9,000 out of date security and vehicle passes, reported just under 3,000 security breaches and completed over 117,00 environmental/energy conservation actions whilst undertaking patrols.[7]

Uniform and Equipment
MOD Guard Service Beret and Cap-badge

Although the MGS are a guarding organisation; they wear a similar uniform to police forces such as the MET Police Service. This consists of:

Standard Issue CSO Uniform
  • Short Sleeved White Shirt (Summer dress)
  • Long Sleeved White Shirt (Winter dress)
  • NATO "Woolly-pulley" Navy Blue Jumper
  • Dark Navy Blue Peaked cap (with MGS Cap Badge)
  • Black Trousers (Black combat trousers sometimes worn)
  • Duty Kit Belt
  • Black Steel Toe Capped Boots or Shoes (Officer Specific)
  • Black Epaulettes denoting "MoD Guard Service" and grade (Single Silver bar for CSO4 and 2 'pips' for CSO3)
  • Black Waterproof Trousers
  • Black Waterproof Hat Cover
  • High Visibility (printed with "MoD Security" in a navy blue box on breast and back)
    • High Visibility Light Vest
    • High Visibility Fleece (No Epaulettes)
    • High Visibility Waterproof Coat
  • Black British Army MkII Combat Glove
MOD Guard Service Dog Handler at Middle Wallop

Additional Dog Section Uniform
  • Dark Navy Blue Beret (with MGS cap badge)
  • Black Waterproof Cap denoting "MoD"
  • Black Equipment Vest
  • Black Field Jacket
  • Combat/Cargo Trousers

Other Uniform
  • Black Polo Shirt with MGS Logo on breast
  • White Overalls (For vehicle searching if required)
  • Sealskin "Beanie" Hat

Equipment

Equipment carried can include but not limited to:

  • Air-wave Radio
  • LED Torch or Maglite
  • First Aid Kit
  • Acid Attack Kit
  • Vehicle Search Equipment
  • Security-Infringement Paperwork
  • Fire Safety Management Plans
  • Official Personal Notebook (PNB) and Pen

Training

Currently MGS officer are expected to attend a five day long foundation course which includes industry leading training [8] and equips officers with skills regarding service delivery and conflict management amongst other security and defence related training.

Controversy

OMEC Controversy

In mid 2020 the Operational MGS Employment Contract (OMEC) was introduced to newly recruited officers, this contract saw that on paper officers would earn around £25,000 which is more than what the existing/old contract offered. However the OMEC contract sees that officers get less meal break time and owe more shifts (26 per year) to their management. In addition officers can no longer claim for weekend premiums, and current serving officers on the old MGS contract wishing to transfer or apply for promotion will be moved onto the OMEC contract.[9] The MoD are currently not in a position to understand the MGS officer's concerns regarding the dispute which has lead to officers in some areas taking industrial action.[10]

See also

References
  1. MOD Guard Service, GOV.UK. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  2. http://www.mod.uk MGS Page at MoD website Retrieved 16 March 2012
  3. https://cshr.tal.net/vx/lang-en-GB/mobile-0/appcentre-11/brand-2/user-533724/candidate/application/3517425/opportunity
  4. "MOD Guard Service".
  5. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/867970/20190531-MGS_Recruitment_Flyer_001_tagged.pdf
  6. "Using dogs to boost security". Gov.uk. 29/06/20. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. "DIO Annual Report 2019/2020" (PDF). Gov.uk. 2020.
  8. "MOD Guard Service".
  9. "Protect the MOD Guards".
  10. "MOD Guard Service OMEC Contract Gibraltar".
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