THE METROPOLITAN LONDON POLICE TOOK OVER THE POLICING OF THE HEATHROW AIRPORT FROM THE BRITISH AIRPORTS AUTHORITY IN 1974, BECAUSE THE SECURITY FORCE THEN OPERATING HAD NEITHER THE EXPERIENCE NOR THE RESOURCES TO DEAL WITH POSSIBLE TERRORIST ACTIVITIES. THE SPECIAL UNIT ASSIGNED TO THE AIRPORT MUST LEARN AVIATION JARGON, TECHNICAL TERMS, AND AIRPORT BY-LAWS. THE UNIT HAS RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL MATTERS AFFECTING THE PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY IN AND AROUND THE AIRPORT. THIS INCLUDES ASSURING THE SECURITY OF TRAVELING VIPS, TRAFFIC CONTROL, CARGO AND LUGGAGE THEFT, PLANE CRASHES, AND TERRORIST THREATS. THE UNIT HAS ITS OWN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION AND THE USUAL BACKUP OF TRAFFIC WARDENS AND CIVILIANS. TRAFFIC CONTROL IS A MAJOR PROBLEM, AND EIGHT TV CAMERAS ARE USED TO OBSERVE THE CENTRAL ROADS. THEY ARE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH MANUAL TRAFFIC LIGHT CONTROLS WHICH ARE OPERATED ONLY BY POLICE OFFICERS. THERE ARE REGULAR CAR AND MOTORCYCLE TRAFFIC PATROLS OF THE AIRPORT AREA. A MAJOR INCIDENT ROOM IS USED IN THE EVENT OF A PLANE CRASH, HIJACK, OR SIMILAR SERIOUS EVENT, EVERY OFFICER IS TRAINED TO FULFILL A SPECIFIC FUNCTION IN PARTICULAR KINDS OF EMERGENCIES. A COMMAND VEHICLE FOR THE UNIT IS EQUIPPED TO BE A MOBILE COMMAND OFFICE. FOUR 'HOMEBEAT' OFFICERS COVER THE THREE PASSENGER AND ONE CARGO TERMINALS. CLOSE LIAISON IS MAINTAINED WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WORKING IN THE AIRPORT AREA. (RCB)