The Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales is preparing to host the 38th Ryder Cup, ranked as one of the top fi ve global sports events, between 1st and 3rd October 2010. Held every two years between Europe and the United States of America (the current holders of the Cup), this will be the first time this prestigious golf match has been played on Welsh soil. The Ryder Cup attracts famous international visitors, including more than one past US President, and many high profi le political and business leaders, many of whom bring their own overt and covert security. The responsibility for multi-agency command of the event has been given to Gwent Police, assisted by HOSDB (Home Offi ce Scientifi c Development Branch) in the deployment and use of surveillance and communication technologies.

Gwent Police’s incident command vehicles will act as Silver and Bronze command centres. Both vehicles have been equipped by Excelerate Technology with the latest command comms equipment, including a roof mounted transportable satellite solution that enables real-time voice, data and video information to be shared with Gold Command to provide a Common Operational Picture of any incident. Both vehicles will also be able to provide a private GSM network to ensure secure communications throughout the three day event. A key consideration for Gwent Police will be the ability to cover the course with real-time video and communications. Excelerate has supplied rapidly deployable COFDM cameras, which can be used by sector commanders, and body-worn cameras carried by police offi cers patrolling the course on mountain bikes under the direction of Bronze and Silver commanders.