Her Majesty The Queen granted Royal Approval to Hogan-Howe’s appointment after final interviews for the position were conducted by the Home Secretary and Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, earlier today.
Speaking about the decision, Home Secretary Theresa May said: “I’m delighted to announce Bernard Hogan-Howe as the new commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service. I made my recommendation following representations from the Metropolitan Police Authority and discussions with the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.”
Royal approval was given to the current Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service after he was selected from a field of four candidates.
The Home Secretary went on to say: “As you would expect for such a prestigious position we did have an exceptional field of candidates, but Bernard Hogan-Howe impressed us all with his vision for the Metropolitan Police Service, his commitment to cutting crime and the important work he has done for the public.”
May added: “The Government’s reforms are transforming the police service in this country, and Bernard Hogan-Howe has the skills and experience needed to ensure the nation’s biggest force is at the forefront of this change.”
The Home Secretary said that “London is a great city” and will next year host the biggest sporting event in this nation’s history. “I’m confident Bernard Hogan-Howe will lead the fight against crime with determination and vigour.”
Feared by criminals, trusted by the public
Speaking briefly at New Scotland Yard this afternoon as the formal announcement of his appointment was made, the new Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner said he wanted to lead a force that criminals fear and which members of the public trust.
“Thank You to the Home Secretary, the Mayor of London and the Metropolitan Police Authority for the honour of appointing me as the next Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.”
“I would like to pay tribute to the work done by my predecessor Sir Paul Stephenson, and I look forward to building on this in the future.”
Hogan-Howe continued: “I would also like to acknowledge the calibre of the other candidates for this position – in particular Tim Godwin who has done such outstanding work as the Acting Commissioner during some very testing times for the Met.”
“It is clear to me that the men and women who work for the Metropolitan Police Service are dedicated and professional, and work for a service of which London can be justly proud.”
In conclusion, the new Commissioner said: “It’s my intention to build on public trust in the Metropolitan Police Service and lead a service that criminals will fear and staff will be proud to work for.”
Biggest policing force in the UK
Hogan-Howe will now be in charge of more than 50,000 staff including 32,000 officers. The Met, which is the biggest force in the UK, includes more than one fifth of all serving police officers across England and Wales.
Hogan-Howe, who has previously served in the Metropolitan Police, went on to lead Merseyside Police before becoming one of Her Majesty’s chief inspectors of constabulary in 2009.
He served as Merseyside chief constable between 2004 and 2009, during which time he was credited with cutting crime by a third and reducing anti-social behaviour by 26%.
Hogan-Howe recently returned to New Scotland Yard after Sir Paul Stephenson resigned, and has been acting deputy commissioner while the post holder, Tim Godwin, took on the top job on a ‘caretaker’ basis.
Speaking to the BBC, Boris Johnson said that, of all the candidates, he believes Hogan-Howe will provide “a firm, strategic lead”.
Johnson stated: “Londoners deserve strong and dynamic leadership at the helm of what is the country’s largest and most industrious police force. Public confidence is paramount for any police force, and Bernard Hogan-Howe has the impressive track record to restore confidence and crack down on violent crime and disorder.”
Over recent weeks London has faced immense policing challenges in the face of the riots, and Johnson truly believes that Hogan-Howe “has the sound expertise” to handle critical issues and keep the Capital’s streets safe.
“It’s no secret that I desired someone who has a clear strategy for tackling gang violence and youth crime and restoring pride in our great city,” added the Mayor.
Hogan-Howe has already made it clear that this his tenure will usher in a more transparent era for the Metropolitan Police Service, making the police more accountable to the public while at the same time strengthening police and public relationships.
Hogan-Howe will now take over at the Metropolitan Police Service on a five-year contract worth a reported GB pound 260,000 a year.
In essence, the Commissioner’s role combines policing responsibility for London with that for national security issues (including the ongoing fight against the terrorist threat).
Response from ACPO
Chief officers are looking to working closely with Bernard Hogan-Howe and the chief officer team at the Met as the service gets on with its work to cut crime, deliver a safe and secure Olympics and meet the challenges of reform.
<a href=”http://www.info4security.com/story.asp?sectioncode=10&storycode=4128047>ACPO</a> President <href=”http://www.info4security.com/story.asp?sectioncode=10&storycode=4127986″>Sir Hugh Orde</a> – one of the four candidates in the frame for the Met chief’s role – said: “Bernard Hogan-Howe is to be congratulated for his appointment as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service. He brings a wealth of experience and professionalism to the job of policing our capital, protecting Londoners and leading the Met.”
As yet there has been no official response to the announcement from the <a href=”http://www.info4security.com/story.asp?sectioncode=10&storycode=4127930″>Police Federation</a>.
