MPA appoints new Deputy Assistant Commissioners to the Metropolitan Police Service

42/03
11 June 2003

The Metropolitan Police Authority has appointed three new Deputy Assistant Commissioners to occupy senior posts within the Metropolitan Police.

The new Deputy Assistant Commissioners are Commander Alan Brown, Commander Richard Bryan and Commander Stephen Roberts.

A panel of five MPA members interviewed the officers with Sir John Stevens, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, acting as police advisor. Catherine Crawford, Clerk to the Authority, was also in attendance.

MPA Chair Toby Harris, who led the promotion panel, said:

“I congratulate the successful candidates on their appointments as Deputy Assistant Commissioner. Each made an excellent impression on the panel and displayed the strategic knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill the role.

“Playing a major role policing the capital is a challenge that exacts the highest degree of professionalism and expertise from all serving officers and I know that the candidates we have promoted will lead by example and promote confidence within our communities.”

The Commissioner, Sir John Stevens, said:

“The role of Deputy Assistant Commissioner in the MPS is a challenging one that demands strong leadership skills combined with sound policing experience at all levels. I welcome our three new DACs and wish them well in these strategically important roles.”

Notes to editors

1. Biographical Notes

Commander Alan Brown

Alan Brown joined the Metropolitan Police in 1974 and has served in Territorial Policing, Specialist Operations and latterly the Specialist Crime Directorate. Having spent most of his career as a CID officer, he was also OCU Commander at Kensington and Chelsea. Following appointment as commander, he has had responsibility for the MPS response to Gun Crime and within that remit Operation Trident and the Serious & Organised Crime Group.

Holding the Gun Crime portfolio he has been instrumental in changing work practices which have led to reductions in offending, particularly in relation to commercial robbery, and an increased murder clear-up rate achieved by Operation Trident.

He is Chair of the National Firearms Forensic Intelligence Database Working Group and has influenced changes in government policy in relation to the possession of firearms and imitation firearms.

His career within specialist investigations has involved him in a number of high profile investigations, most notable of these being the attempted robbery of the Millennium diamond from the Dome.

He is regarded as the national expert on the investigation of ‘Crime in Action’ (Kidnap) and leads for ACPO on hostage negotiation.

Commander Richard Bryan

Richard Bryan has been Commander for Northwest London for the past two years. He led the introduction of police community support officers in London and has also held a policy lead in relation to mental health. Currently he is the national lead on missing persons and is also a member of ACPO cabinet.

Richard Bryan started his career in the Met in November 1980. Having completed his basic training at Hendon, he was posted to Vine Street police station (now closed) and then as sergeant to Hackney. Following detective training in 1986, he returned to Hampstead as Detective Sergeant and was promoted to Inspector in 1987, serving at Tottenham. In 1991 he moved to New Scotland Yard where he worked as Policy analyst in the Deputy Commissioner's Command, then moving to Kentish Town division as Chief Inspector, Personnel, before leaving to join Thames Valley.

Whilst serving in Thames Valley he held the post of Area Commander for Thames Forest Police Area (Windsor, Maidenhead and Bracknell) from 1996-2000 and Head of Strategic Planning. He rejoined the Met in May 2001.

Richard Bryan originated from Solihull and was educated at Lode Heath High School before graduating from the University of Wales with a degree in geography. In 1991 he completed a masters degree in business administration at Warwick University.

Commander Steve Roberts

Steve Roberts joined the Metropolitan Police in 1978 after graduating in Law from Trinity College, Cambridge. As a constable he worked in Haringey, later working from Scotland Yard as a detective in both public order and counter-terrorism issues, along with uniformed postings in the boroughs of Camden, Islington and Southwark. As a Chief Superintendent he was first responsible for the policing of Stoke Newington and then the borough of Havering.

In 2000 he was posted to Scotland Yard with responsibilities for Youth, Community and Partnership. In particular he leads for the MPS on the development of new partnership approaches to preventing young people becoming involved in crime. He recently launched the MPS Youth Crime Prevention Strategy, which over the last year has resulted in a 10% reduction in youth victimisation and a fall of 15 % in the number of youths accused of crime. He is Secretary to the London Street Crime Management Board and a member of the ACPO Youth Issues Group, the Youth Justice Board Prevention Committee and the London Youth Crime Taskforce. His current responsibilities include the MPS Safer Schools Project and Police Community Support Officers.

2. The Metropolitan Police Authority has a role in the appointment, discipline and removal of senior Metropolitan Police officers.

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback