MPA appoints new Metropolitan Police Commanders

92/03
12 November 2003

The Metropolitan Police Authority has appointed seven new commanders to the Metropolitan Police, all of who will be appointed to senior posts.

They are: Chief Superintendent Julian Bennett, Chief Superintendent Ian Carter, Chief Superintendent Simon Foy, Chief Superintendent Janet Williams, T/Commander Robert Milton, Detective Chief Superintendent Brian Moore, Chief Superintendent James Smith.

The officers were interviewed by a panel of five MPA members with Sir John Stevens, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, acting as police adviser. Catherine Crawford, Clerk to the MPA, was also in attendance.

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

“On behalf of the Metropolitan Police Authority I wish to congratulate the successful candidates. We were impressed with each candidate’s tactical knowledge, strategic skills and experience.

“In their new roles they will play a significant part in policing one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse capitals. Policing London is a challenge that exacts the highest degree of professionalism and expertise from all serving officers and I am convinced that the candidates we have promoted will lead by example and promote confidence within our communities.”

Sir John Stevens said:

“The position of commander within the Metropolitan Police Service is tough and demanding and requires real dedication and commitment. I am confident that the right people have been chosen for these challenging posts.“

Notes to editors

1. Biographical details:

Julian Bennett

Julian Bennett joined the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in March 1977. He has obtained wide experience in a range of both uniformed and plain clothes duties, and on achieving the rank of inspector was awarded a fulltime scholarship to study law at University College London from 1990 to 1993. On returning to duty in the higher ranks he continued in a varied career that included uniformed postings, duties in the field of criminal justice and was involved in the well known ‘Operation Bumblebee.’ His last post before attending the strategic command course was head of MPS Inspectorate.

Ian Carter

Ian Carter joined Hertfordshire Constabulary in 1978 where he gained broad experience in a variety of roles, attaining the rank of detective chief inspector in 1993. He has extensive knowledge of uniformed operations and has been involved in a variety of CID roles. He also worked in research and support functions and served as staff officer to the Chief Constable. In 1997 he was appointed to the MPS, serving in Kilburn for one year before appointment as divisional commander of Hampstead. Subsequently he served as borough commander for Harrow, then Brent where he lead the nationally acclaimed ‘not another drop campaign’ which brought about a major decrease in gun crime. More recently he was specially selected for the task of conducting a scrutiny of current MPS policy and processes for visible minority recruitment and will be assessing the impact of the recent BBC documentary ’The Secret Policeman.’

Simon Foy

Simon Foy joined the MPS in 1982. After serving a period as a constable in Shepherds Bush he was posted to a plain- clothes anti-burglary squad. As a sergeant and inspector he was involved in uniformed response, was a divisional intelligence manager and acted as staff officer to commander operations. He has also worked as a divisional crime manager and then on the crime operational command unit where he was a senior investigating officer and manager of the child protection teams on South West Area. In 1997 he was appointed chief superintendent in Brixton where, in the move to borough based policing, he successfully completed the conversion of Lambeth from 3 divisions to one borough. In 2001 he was appointed staff officer to the commissioner.

Janet Williams

Janet Williams joined the met in 1982 and initially served as a constable in Camden. Since that time she has risen through the ranks gaining wide experience in uniformed operations and in various facets of CID work. As the senior investigating officer in serious crime she achieved notable results and as borough commander for Enfield worked to gain excellent improvements across priority crime categories.

Robert Milton

Robert Milton joined the MPS in 1974. After an early career in patrol duties he progressed to roles in public order, custody duties and served for a period in the crime squad. After moving to Special Branch he worked his way through the ranks in different capacities including VIP protection, terrorist funding investigation and counter- terrorism operations. At the beginning of this year he moved to the Home Office on secondment to his current role as national co-ordinator for Ports Policing (Special Branch).

Brian Moore

Brian Moore joined the MPS in 1978 and after a period in uniformed patrol, joined the CID, rising through the ranks in various units based in New Scotland Yard as well as in the boroughs. He was successful in the investigation of many murders and serious crimes and from 2001 he was acting commander in the serious crime group. He was appointed borough commander at Lambeth in 2002.

James Smith

James Smith joined Lothian Borders Police in 1976. He has wide experience in uniformed operational roles, including a period with the Hong Kong Police. As sub divisional commander his role involved the operational command of a number royal visits and major events, including demonstrations and firearm incidents. He was able to gain experience at policy development level whilst working as staff officer to the chief constable. He is currently chief superintendent in corporate planning.

2. The Metropolitan Police Authority is responsible for the appointment, discipline and dismissal of senior Metropolitan Police officers of Association of Chief Police Officer rank.

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