ir Mark Rowley has been appointed the new Metropolitan Police Commissioner.
The former counter-terror chief takes the helm during one of the most turbulent times in the Met’s history, with special measures.
Sir Mark is returning to law enforcement after retiring in 2018 as the Met’s assistant commissioner for specialist operations.
Sadiq Khan hopes the new commissioner will play an important role in restoring confidence in the police.
The mayor forced Dame Cressida Dick from her post in February after a string of racism and sexism scandals, including the murder of Sarah Everard by an officer on duty.
He told Dame Cressida that he had lost faith in her ability to make changes to the crisis-ridden force.
Mr Khan said on Friday: “The Home Secretary and I agree that Sir Mark Rowley is the best person to lead the Metropolitan Police as the new Commissioner at this extremely challenging time.
“A series of horrific scandals have not only exposed deep cultural problems within the Met, but have also contributed to a crisis of confidence in the London police.
“Sir Mark has made it clear to me that he is determined to be a reformist Commissioner, committed to implementing a robust plan to restore trust in the police and to drive the urgent reforms and incremental change in culture and performance that Londoners are facing. earn by doing.
“As mayor, I will support him and keep these promises as I continue to hold the Met accountable.”
Sir Mark began his policing career in 1987, joining the West Midlands Police as a constable.
He was Surrey Police Chief from 2009 to 2011 before joining the Met.
While in London, he led the response to the Salisbury poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in 2018, shortly before his retirement.
He then retired and radiated an author, who co-wrote the counterterrorism thriller The Sleep of Reason.
Home Secretary Priti Patel described Sir Mark as a “distinguished and exceptionally experienced police officer”.
She added: “He takes on one of the most important and demanding jobs in the police force, leading the largest police force in the country at a time when public trust in the Metropolitan Police has been seriously undermined by a number of significant shortcomings. .
“Restoring public confidence and achieving crime reduction must be his priority.
“This will be a challenging period, but with a focus on tackling neighborhood crime and delivering the basics of policing, Sir Mark is committed to addressing the major challenges facing the police and making London’s streets safer. by reducing crime and bringing more criminals to prison. justice.”
Sir Mark defeated the Met’s assistant commissioner Nick Ephgrave QPM to take the top job.
He takes power at a time when public trust is low, especially among ethnic minorities and women.
It follows the failed response to the murder of Mrs. Everard by Wayne Couzens, the disturbing allegations of sexism, racism and violence against officers at the Charing Cross Police Station, and the officers’ search of a 14-year-old black girl unsupervised at the police station. from Charing Cross. a school in Hackney.
Sir Mark said: “Our mission is to lead the renewal of consent policing, which has been so badly affected in recent years that trust and confidence has fallen.
“I am grateful that the Secretary of the Interior and the Mayor are both committed to supporting the urgent reforms we need to successfully combat community crime in today’s rapidly changing world.
“These reforms include our use of technology and data, our culture and our policing. We will fight crime with communities – not one-sided tactics.”
Sir Mark’s first working day will be confirmed at a later date.