Investigation launched into officers accused of failing royal protection duties
King Charles III has reportedly been informed that an urgent investigation has been launched into claims that police officers assigned to royal protection duties were caught sleeping while on duty.
According to reports from The Telegraph, up to 30 officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Royalty and Specialist Protection unit are under investigation over allegations of misconduct linked to royal security operations.
The report claimed some officers are accused of falling asleep while guarding royal sites or leaving their posts without permission. Others allegedly signed in for duty but failed to attend their assigned locations.
Most of the allegations are said to involve officers stationed at Windsor Castle.
The claims triggered criticism from anti-monarchy campaign group Republic, which questioned the speed of the police response compared to past investigations involving Prince Andrew.
In a sarcastic statement, the group said police moved quickly to investigate security concerns involving the royal family while taking years to respond to public pressure surrounding Andrew’s links to late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The controversy comes after Charles previously removed Andrew’s royal duties and titles following ongoing fallout connected to the Epstein scandal.
Reports also stated that Andrew remains under investigation despite previously being released after questioning earlier this year over allegations connected to misconduct in public office.
