Spl police team to provide VIP, VVIP security

The government is set to raise a specially trained police battalion to provide security to the president and the prime minister and other VIPs alongside existing other forces, officials said in the city Wednesday, reports BSS. "The proposed team will be called Security and Protection Battalion (SPB) to provide security to the VVIPs, visiting VVIPs and other important persons. It will be headed by an official having the rank of the additional inspector general of police," officials familiar with the process said. The home ministry issued a circular in this regard. "The process of forming the SPB has started after issuance of the circular. It will take some time to complete the whole process regarding formation of the battalion," Assistant Inspector General (R&M) Atiqur Rahman said. The battalion members would act as the "second line of defence" alongside the Special Security Force (SSF) and the President Guard Regiment (PGR), officials said. They said the battalion members would be deployed at Bangabhaban, Prime Minister's Office and Ganobhaban. SPB will also engage its members to ensure security of the visiting heads of state and government. The manpower of the SPB will be 1,112 with an additional inspector general of police at the top. Temporary office of the SPB will be set up at Police Headquarters in the capital. Three officials of the rank of deputy inspector general (DIG), three police supers, 25 additional police supers and 30 assistant police supers will also be included in the SPB as per the organogram.