A royal protection officer has been arrested after ammunition was found in personal lockers in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.  Scotland Yard said the ammunition was believed to be from the Metropolitan police’s own supplies.  The arrested officer is being questioned on suspicion of misconduct in public office and unlawful possession of ammunition. He is in custody at a London police station and will be suspended from duty.  The force said the investigation, by the Directorate of Professional Standards, began a few weeks ago after officers from royalty protection reported the discovery of ammunition in their personal lockers or belongings.  The arrested officer is from the unit responsible for protecting the royal household (SO14) and normally works in a protection role, although he is not assigned to guard any individual member of the royal family.  Investigators have been searching the officer’s home address and the police building in the grounds of the palace where the ammunition was found.  Police said the royal household was aware of the investigation and had been informed about Thursday’s development. The Independent Police Complaints Commission has also been informed.  The force said the arrest has not affected the established security procedures surrounding the daily work of the officers providing personal protection to the royal family, who were some of the “most highly trained and professional officers in the Met”.  The arrest follows the announcement last week that the Met was reorganising its protection command, which is also responsible for guarding key political figures. Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley admitted then that a number of scandals were being investigated – including claims that police at Buckingham Palace had stolen confiscated weapons.  He said force chiefs wanted to disrupt “one or two pockets” where officers had become “overly comfortable and familiar”, by moving staff who had been in their jobs for several years.
Royal protection officer being questioned after ammunition believed to belong to Metropolitan force is found in police lockers