MPA appoints new Metropolitan Police commanders

78/04
4 November 2004

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

They are: Chief Superintendent Sue Akers; Temporary Promotion (T/P) Commander Simon Bray; T/P Commander Allan Gibson; Chief Superintendent Rod Jarman; Chief Superintendent Dave Johnston; Chief Superintendent Paul Minton; Detective Chief Superintendent Shaun Sawyer; and Chief Superintendent Sue Weatherburn.

Except for David Johnston of Avon & Somerset Constabulary, all the officers already serve within the Metropolitan Police Service.

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

MPA Chair Len Duvall, who led the promotion panel, said:

“The Metropolitan Police Authority congratulates the eight successful candidates. The competition was very tough and it was difficult to make our final decisions.

“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:

Sue Akers

Sue Akers has served as a police officer for 28 years, all of them in the Metropolitan Police Service. Her early years were spent as a career detective, working all over London, including a protracted period at Scotland Yard with the Serious and Organised Crime Group. Later she specialised in murder investigation at DI, DCI and Det Supt rank, before spending a year as the Deputy Commissioner's (Sir Ian Blair) staff officer. Sue spent the three years prior to attending the Strategic Command Course as borough commander for Barnet, building partnerships through which to deliver a community focused style of policing with a strong performance culture.

Simon Bray

Following a wide-ranging career featuring uniform and detective roles in south and west London and a posting as inspector on the central London territorial support group (TSG), Simon Bray was appointed temporary commander in the MPS Specialist Crime Directorate in July 2003. His operational roles have included sector command at Notting Hill Carnival and responsibility for policing QPR football and Pride 2004. As acting commander, Professional Standards, he was responsible for misconduct, claims and employment tribunals and he has undertaken secondments to HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and, more recently, the Cabinet Office. Simon is a Wandsworth resident and a former army officer.

Allan Gibson

Commander Allan Gibson joined the MPS in 1983 and spent the early years of his career in a number of operational uniform and detective roles. During the past few years Allan has led murder teams and child protection teams in North London, has had responsibility for community partnership in the City of Westminster and has worked in the Specialist Crime Directorate. He is currently seconded to the National Police Leadership Centre as its Deputy Director where he is responsible for developing the leadership capability of the Service. Allan is married with two children and holds a First degree in Economics, a Masters in HR Development and a Diploma in Criminology, and is a member of the British Society of Criminology.

Rod Jarman

Rod Jarman joined the Met in 1979 as a normal entrant. His first posting was as a PC in Tooting. As a PC and Sergeant he served on division and on the TSG. He has served on Southwark borough as a PC, Sergeant, Inspector, Superintendent and Chief Superintendent as the borough commander. At Southwark he lead on a number of projects including on hate crime, which obtained national recognition, and youth involvement, which won several national awards. Rod has held posts in a number of charities including Southwark Council for Community Relations and Greenwich Community Safety Trust. He is currently studying for an MSc in Police Leadership and Management at Leicester University.

Dave Johnston

Dave Johnston was born in Glasgow. At the age of 15 he left to join the Army, serving with the Commando Brigade until 1979 when he joined Avon and Somerset Constabulary. Dave has served in all ranks in the Avon and Somerset Constabulary up to Chief Superintendent. His last post was as head of crime for this busy force. His career has included posts as a detective, hostage negotiator, Senior Investigating Officer and police diver.

Dave is married with 6 children, two of whom are serving police officers. Dave is delighted to be joining the Metropolitan Police Service and is looking forward to becoming part of a successful team and meeting the challenges of working with London’s communities.

Paul Minton

Chief Superintendent Paul Minton joined the Metropolitan Police in 1981 after graduating from Bristol University. The majority of his service has been operational, in both uniform and detective roles, at Lewisham, Westminster, Lambeth, and Croydon where he was the borough Commander. In addition to these roles, Paul has worked on key areas of MPS policy such as mental health, on a major restructuring of the MPS, and as a staff officer at Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary. For the last 2 years he has been involved in work to support performance improvement across all 32 London boroughs. Paul is married with one son.

Shaun Sawyer

Shaun Sawyer joined the MPS in 1986 serving as a Constable at Paddington Green police station and Clubs and Vice, Marylebone police station as a sergeant and at Wandsworth police station as an Inspector and Detective Inspector. From 1996 to 1998 he served within Specialist Operations in the private office of ACSO David Veness and as Detective Superintendent Security, Protection and Counter-Terrorism. In 1998 he joined Central London murder teams including responsibility for child protection. He oversaw investigations including that of Suzy Lamplugh, as well as working in partnership with British Transport Police in responding to the Ladbroke Grove rail disaster.

In 2000 he joined the Anti-Corruption Command (formerly CIB3) and was later promoted to Detective Chief Superintendent. He was OCU commander from 2001 to 2004 providing strategic direction and overseeing complex covert anti-corruption investigations.

Sue Weatherburn

Sue Weatherburn began her working life in sales and advertising, after leaving University College London where she studied history. She joined the MPS in 1980. She moved to the Avon and Somerset Constabulary in 1987 before resigning to look after her two sons. In 1991 she rejoined the MPS, and served at Kingston and Wandsworth, in SO and DPS in a variety of uniform and detective roles.

In 2000 Sue was promoted to Detective Superintendent, Head of Government Affairs, acting as liaison with the newly formed MPA. She became OCU commander at Charing Cross in 2002, before being promoted to Chief Superintendent in 2004 and attending the Strategic Command Course.

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