Deputy Commissioner Tim Godwin to retire

8 November 2011

Deputy Commissioner Tim Godwin has today announced that he will retire from the Metropolitan Police Service after more than 30 years service

He will be leaving the MPS in the New Year to take up a new role in the private sector.

Tim Godwin joined the Metropolitan Police from Sussex Police in 1999 as a Commander and has since been promoted through the ranks to his current position as Deputy Commissioner.

He is the national police lead on criminal justice issues - driving up standards, efficiency, and effectiveness, and reforming systems through the introduction of virtual courts, quicker justice and reduced bureaucracy.

He has been highly innovative in his approach to policing, commitment to victim care and youth diversion. This has included improvements in the way mobile phone crime, street crime, and neighbourhood policing are approached and instigating lasting partnerships with the Premier League and Rugby Football Union that have led to tens of thousands of young people participating in diversion projects.

Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe said: “Tim Godwin is an exceptional police officer. One of the best of his generation. He has successfully led the Metropolitan Police over the last year through some exceptional challenges.

“I am personally sorry to lose the Deputy Commissioner - a man of integrity, intellect and humility. I know the officers and staff of the Metropolitan Police will lose a man they love a great deal.”

The Mayor, Boris Johnson, said: “Tim Godwin has been a devoted public servant, constantly striving to make London a safer and better city. His commitment, calm and professionalism are an example to all. I will always be grateful to him for his advice and action, not least last summer when his faith in common sense traditional British policing was vindicated, the streets reclaimed and public confidence restored. I wish him well in his future career.”

Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, Kit Malthouse, said: “There are many who pursued criminals with the same doggedness at Tim Godwin, but few with the flair and creativity. Always imaginative, often audacious, consistently successful, Tim has spent three decades dedicated to the safety of others and the apprehension of the villain. His obvious relish for the mission made him as popular in the squad room as he was on the street and we are lucky that he chose London to do his best work. We wish him well in his new career and thank him for leaving the capital a much safer place than he found it.”

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