The Port of Portland Police is a non-Home Office ports police force responsible for the Port of Portland in Dorset, United Kingdom.

History

The force was established in 1997 when the Portland Harbour Authority bought the port from the British Government. 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). The Port Police staff the main entrance to the port 24 hours a day, year-round.

Present day

In February 2018, four new constables were sworn in. 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.

Duties

The Port Police guard the main entrance to the port, 24 hours a day, all-year-round. 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.

Powers

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

Portland Port Police officers wear a typical UK Port Police uniform. All officers have a "warrant card" which is used to identify their authority as constables.

Rank structure

The rank structure of the Portland Port Police force is as follows: