Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis

History

In addition to the assistant commissioners, the position of deputy commissioner was legally established as a separate rank in 1931. However, the assistant commissioner "A" had acted as de facto deputy for some years and had been given the courtesy title of deputy commissioner since 1922. The deputy commissioner's Crown appointment continued to be assistant commissioner of police of the Metropolis until at least the early 1970s. Sir Jim Starritt may have been the first officer to have been appointed deputy commissioner by the Crown.

Insignia

The badge of rank worn on the epaulettes by the deputy commissioner is unique in the British police service, this being a crown, above two small pips placed side by side, above crossed tipstaves in a wreath. This badge was introduced in 2001; before that the deputy commissioner wore the same rank badge as the assistant commissioners – a crown over crossed tipstaves in a wreath.

Deputy commissioners

Those listed in bold type became commissioner.

Title

1. Sir James Olive, 1922–1925
2. Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Royds, 1926–1931

Rank

1. The Hon. Sir Trevor Bigham, 1931–1935
2. Colonel Sir Maurice Drummond, 1935–1946
3. Sir John Nott-Bower, 1946–1953
4. Sir Ronald Howe, 1953–1957
5. Joseph Simpson, 1957–1958
6. Sir Alexander Robertson, 1958–1961
7. Douglas Webb, 1961–1966
8. Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Ranulph Bacon, 1966
9. Sir John Waldron, 1966–1968
10. Robert Mark, 1968–1972
11. John Hill, 1972
12. Sir Jim Starritt, 1972–1975
13. Sir Colin Woods, 1975–1977
14. Patrick Kavanagh, 1977–1983
15. Albert Laugharne, 1983–1985
16. Peter Imbert, 1985–1987
17. Sir John Dellow, 1987–1991
18. Sir John Smith, 1991–1995
19. Sir Brian Hayes, 1995–1998
20. Sir John Stevens, 1998–2000
21. Sir Ian Blair, 2000–2005
22. Sir Paul Stephenson, 2005–2009
23. Tim Godwin, 2009–2011
24. Sir Craig Mackey, 2012–2018
25. Sir Stephen House, 2018–2022 (acting commissioner 20212022)
26. Helen Ball, 2021–2022 (acting)
27. Dame Lynne Owens, 2023–2025 (interim 2022–2023)
28. Matt Jukes, May 2025–present (acting May 2025)

Footnotes

References

1. (13 April 2022). "Met Police: Job advert for new commissioner published". BBC.
2. "The Police Regulations 2003".
3. [http://www.police-information.co.uk/policepay.htm Police Pay]. Police-information.co.uk. Retrieved on 2013-08-22.
4. {{London Gazette. (25 April 1972)
5. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-15646319 Met Deputy Commissioner Tim Godwin retires]
6. [http://www.mpa.gov.uk/about/careers/dc/#h2000 Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis; job vacancy] – [[Metropolitan Police Authority]] {{webarchive. link. (2012-04-27)
7. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-16279867 "Craig Mackey named Met Police Deputy Commissioner", BBC News, 21 December 2011]
8. (5 October 2018). "New Metropolitan Police Service Deputy Commissioner appointed". HM Government.
9. (20 February 2023). "Dame Lynne Owens announced as Met Deputy Commissioner". Metropolitan Police.