MPA appoints new Deputy Assistant Commissioners to the Metropolitan Police Service

56/06
12 September 2006

The Metropolitan Police Authority has provisionally selected four applicants for appointment, in due course, to the rank of Deputy Assistant Commissioner within the Metropolitan Police Service.

The officers are:

• Chris Allison, City of Westminster Commander;
• Cressida Dick, Commander, Specialist Crime Directorate;
• Alf Hitchcock, currently temporary DAC Territorial Policing; and
• Janet Williams, Commander, Directorate of Strategy, Modernisation and Performance.

The officers will be appointed to their new posts over the coming months as positions become available. Until then they will remain in their current posts on their existing terms and conditions.

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

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

“The successful candidates displayed the strategic knowledge and operational skills necessary to tackle the important role of Deputy Assistant Commissioner. The position demands officers of the highest quality and they all made an excellent impression on the panel and displayed the key abilities to fulfil the challenge.

“London relies on the expertise and professionalism of everyone within the Metropolitan Police Service to make our city a safer place. Strong leadership has a vital part to play, ensuring that policies and infrastructure are fit for purpose and evolve in response to changing situations.

“Clearly there are some sensitive and unprecedented circumstances involved. Candidates were chosen on the basis of their application and ability. The MPA would not prejudice an officer’s fair promotion prospects by making assumptions about future disciplinary action. Officers will not be posted into new posts until outstanding issues are resolved.”

The Commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, said:

“Effective leadership is vital to the delivery of successful policing in London and the role of Deputy Assistant Commissioner in the Met is always a challenging one. It demands strong leadership skills combined with sound policing experience at all levels. There was a strong field of applicants and I welcome the officers who have succeeded in promotion to these strategically important roles and wish them well in their future posts.”

Notes to editors

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