Metropolitan Police Service 192450 225651776 2008-07-14T19:09:08Z Red Thunder 4967896 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/58.8.36.223|58.8.36.223]] to last version by Necrothesp (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]]) :''"Metropolitan Police" redirects here. See also [[metropolitan police]].'' {{Infobox UK Police | | name= Metropolitan Police Service | area= [[Greater London]]<br>(except [[City of London]]) | start= 1829 | population= 7.4 million | size= 1,578 km² (609&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi) | officers= 31,073 | helicopters= 7 (13 if requested) | title= Commissioner | head= [[Ian Blair|Sir Ian Blair, QPM]] | divname= OCU's | divno= 33 | stations= 180 | HQ= [[New Scotland Yard]] | budget= £3bn | map= Image:EnglandPoliceMetropolitan.png | image= [[Image:Met-police-logo.svg|320px|The Metropolitan Police Logo]] | web= [http://www.met.police.uk/ Metropolitan Police] }} The '''Metropolitan Police Service''' ('''MPS''') is the [[territorial police force]] responsible for [[Greater London]] excluding the [[City of London]] (which is the responsibility of the [[City of London Police]]). It is commonly referred to as the '''Metropolitan Police''' and informally as "'''the Met'''" or sometimes '''MP'''; in statutes it is usually described in lower case as the "metropolitan police" without the [[appendage]] "Service". With over 31,000 Police Officers, 2,000 Special Constables, 13,661 police staff, 414 traffic wardens and 2,106 [[Police Community Support Officer]]s (PCSOs) the MPS is the largest force in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mpa.gov.uk/default.htm | title=Metropolitan Police Authority | accessdate=2006-07-20 | date=| work=MPA}}</ref> The headquarters is at [[Scotland Yard|New Scotland Yard]] in [[Westminster]], commonly known as Scotland Yard, although administrative functions are increasingly based at the [[Empress State Building]] (ESB) and by the end of 2007 all command and control functions will be transferred to the three [[Metcall]] complexes. Its head is the [[Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis]] or simply the Commissioner, responsible to the [[Metropolitan Police Authority]]. The post was first held jointly by Colonel Sir [[Charles Rowan]] and Sir [[Richard Mayne]]. The current Commissioner is [[Ian Blair|Sir Ian Blair, QPM]]. ==Area covered and other forces== [[Image:metbike.jpg|thumb|right|300px|MPS officers on Fleet Street]] The MPS area is known as the [[Metropolitan Police District]] (MPD) and coincides with the 32 [[London boroughs]] that make up [[Greater London]], but excludes the [[City of London]]. Before [[April 1]], [[2000]], the MPD covered a larger area, established well before the current borders of Greater London were set. It included parts of [[Surrey]], [[Hertfordshire]] and [[Essex]], all of [[Epsom and Ewell]], [[Hertsmere]] and [[Spelthorne]] districts, and [[Banstead]], [[Cheshunt]], [[Chigwell]], [[Loughton]], [[Esher]], [[Northaw|Northaw and Cuffley]] and [[Waltham Abbey, Essex|Waltham Abbey]]. The square mile of the City of London is the responsibility of the [[City of London Police]], a separate Home Office territorial force. The [[Ministry of Defence Police]] is responsible for [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] property in the capital, and other bases and premises in the UK.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.modpoliceofficers.co.uk/default.asp | title=Ministry of Defence Police | accessdate=2006-07-19 | date=2006-07-19 | work=MOD}}</ref> The [[British Transport Police]] is responsible for the [[Rail transport in the United Kingdom|rail network]], including the [[London Underground]], [[Tramlink]] and the [[Docklands Light Railway]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.btp.police.uk/ | title=British Transport Police | accessdate=2006-07-19 | date=2006-07-19 | work=BTP}}</ref> The English part of the [[Royal Parks Constabulary]], which patrolled a number of Greater London's major parks, was absorbed by the Metropolitan Police in 2004. There are also a few parks police forces, such as the [[Kew Constabulary]] (policing the [[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew]]) and [[Hampstead Heath Constabulary|Hampstead Heath]]. Those officers have full police powers within their limited jurisdiction, but all substantial crime and incidents are the responsibility of the MPS. Some London borough councils maintain their own borough park constabularies, such as the [[Newham Parks Constabulary]] in East London; their remit only extends to park [[by-law]]s, and although sworn as [[constables]] they are not police officers. ==Structure: MPS directorates == [[Image:mounted.police.buckingham.palace.arp.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Mounted MPS officer outside [[Buckingham Palace]], [[London]]]] The MPS is divided into ten departments or directorates, each commanded by an Assistant Commissioner or, in the case of civilianised departments (such as Human Resources), a director of police staff, the equivalent civilian grade. The Management Board is made up of the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner [[Paul Stephenson (police officer)|Paul Stephenson]] and these departmental heads. ===Territorial Policing=== The Territorial Policing directorate is commanded by [[Assistant Commissioner]] [[Tim Godwin]]. It is responsible for everyday policing across London and is divided into 32 [[Borough Operational Command Units]] (BOCUs), contiguous with the [[London boroughs]] (with the exception of the [[Royal Parks]] OCU). Each BOCU is commanded by a [[Chief Superintendent]], apart from [[Westminster]], which due to its high concentration of government facilities is led by a [[Commander]]. Each BOCU provides patrol and response police officers, safer neighbourhood teams, [[Criminal Investigation Department]] (CID) officers and other local squads and units. The [[Aviation Security Operational Command Unit]] (OCU), responsible for policing [[Heathrow Airport]] and also [[London City Airport]], is also under Territorial Policing. ====Number of officers per borough==== Each BOCU has the following 'officer establishment'. The two letter code given in brackets for each borough is the ID code for that borough. Every Constable and Sergeant in the borough will have those letters on their [[epaulettes]] as part of their "[[shoulder number]]". {{col-begin}} {{col-break}} [[London Borough of Barking and Dagenham|Barking & Dagenham]] (KG) - 427 [[London Borough of Barnet|Barnet]] (SX) - 545 [[London Borough of Bexley|Bexley]] (RY) - 359 [[London Borough of Brent|Brent]] (QK) - 123 [[London Borough of Bromley|Bromley]] (PY) - 488 [[London Borough of Camden|Camden]] (EK) - 795 [[London Borough of Croydon|Croydon]] (ZD) - 712 [[London Borough of Ealing|Ealing]] (XB) - 683 [[London Borough of Enfield|Enfield]] (YE) - 553 [[London Borough of Greenwich|Greenwich]] (RG) - 636 [[London Borough of Hackney|Hackney]] (GD) - 751 [[London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham|Hammersmith & Fulham]] (FH) - 563 [[London Borough of Haringey|Haringey]] (YR) - 691 [[London Borough of Harrow|Harrow]] (QA) - 362 [[London Borough of Havering|Havering]] (KD) - 379 [[Heathrow]] (ID) not a London Borough, but a BOCU - [[London Borough of Hillingdon|Hillingdon]] (XH) - 506 [[London Borough of Hounslow|Hounslow]] (TX) - 509 {{col-break}} [[London Borough of Islington|Islington]] (NI) - 676 [[London Borough of Kingston upon Thames|Kingston upon Thames]] (VK) - 294 [[London Borough of Lambeth|Lambeth]] (LX) - 915 [[London Borough of Lewisham|Lewisham]] (PL) - 618 [[London Borough of Merton|Merton]] (VW) - 374 [[London Borough of Newham|Newham]] (KF) - 746 [[London Borough of Redbridge|Redbridge]] (JI) - 464 [[London Borough of Richmond upon Thames|Richmond upon Thames]] (TW) - 319 [[Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea|Kensington & Chelsea]] (BS) - 558 [[London Borough of Southwark|Southwark]] (MD) - 852 [[London Borough of Sutton|Sutton]] (ZT) - 328 [[London Borough of Waltham Forest|Waltham Forest]] (JC) - 540 [[London Borough of Tower Hamlets|Tower Hamlets]] (HT) - 758 [[London Borough of Wandsworth|Wandsworth]] (WW) - 583 [[City of Westminster|Westminster]] (CW) - 1,550 {{col-end}} (These figures are the authorised establishments and may not be the actual number of officers posted to each BOCU – Source: Metropolitan Police Authority.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mpa.gov.uk/downloads/issues/police-numbers/police-numbers.pdf | title=Police officer allocation | accessdate=2006-09-21 | date=2005-02-11 | work=MPA}}</ref>) ===Specialist Crime Directorate (SCD)=== The SCD is commanded by Assistant Commissioner Steve House. It deals with serious, organised and specialist crime investigations and is divided into commands as follows: * '''Homicide Command (SCD 1)''', made up of a number of major investigation teams (MITs) and is responsible for the investigation of [[homicide]] and other serious crimes. Other units, such as Child Abuse Command and [[Operation Trident]] (see below) conduct murder investigations if the homicide falls within their remit. MITs investigate [[murder]], [[manslaughter]], [[infanticide]], [[attempted murder]] where the evidence of intent is unambiguous or there is a substantive risk to life, missing persons or abductions where there is a substantive reason to suspect life has been taken or is under threat, and other investigations identified for specialist needs. Another unit in this command is the Homicide Task Force, which conducts work to suppress murder and ‘man hunts’ for those suspects wanted for murder. * '''Fingerprint Services''', who take fingerprints of people currently living in the UK if they require Police Clearance and Good Conduct certificates from countries such as [[Australia]].<ref>http://www.met.police.uk/scd/specialist_units/fingerprint_services.htm</ref>. They also provide fingerprints for various other reasons [http://www.met.police.uk/scd/specialist_units/fingerprint_services.htm] *'''Forensic Services (SCD 4)''' * '''[[Child Abuse Investigation Team]] (SCD 5)''', made up of the Paedophile Unit, the Hi-Tech Crime Unit, the Child Abuse Prevention and Partnership Unit, the Ports Safeguarding Team and Major Investigation Teams. * '''Economic and Specialist Crime Command (SCD 6)''' including the Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit, the Money Laundering Investigation Team, Financial Investigation Development Units, the Specialist Crime Operations Team, the Stolen Vehicle Unit, the Arts and Antiques Unit, the Police Central e-crime Unit (PCeU), the Wildlife Crime Unit, the Extradition and International Assistance Unit, the Criminal Justice Protection Unit, and the Regional Asset Recovery Team. * '''Trident Operational Command Unit (SCD 8)''' was set up in 1998 as a proactive unit combatting gun crime perpetrated on London’s black communities. A new command structure was set up on [[24 July]] [[2000]], with three specialist senior detectives supported by 160 police officers tasked with black community gun crime cases. Trident is currently broken down into murder, proactive/shootings and intelligence wings, staffed by 270 officers and 70 staff. In January 2004 Trident also took on the investigation of shootings in all of London’s communities, through the Trafalgar team of 34 officers. * '''The Serious and Organised Crime Group (SCD 7)''' ‘tackles serious and organised crime, life-threatening crimes in action and those who inflict human misery on the people of London through fast time pro-active response’. The group is made up of the Central Task Force, the Projects Team, the [[Flying Squad]], the Kidnap and Special Investigation Unit, the Hostage and Crisis Negotiations Unit and the Intelligence Support Unit. *'''Covert Policing (SCD 10)''' *'''Intelligence (SCD 11)''' ===Central Operations=== [[Central Operations]] (CO), is commanded by Assistant Commissioner [[Tarique Ghaffur]], is responsible for pan-London units that support the BOCUs and specialist units. [[Image:co19.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Officers of CO19 in an Armed Response Vehicle (ARV)]] Units in this department include: * [[Central Communications Command]] - (CO10) * [[Public Order Branch|Public Order Operational Command Unit]] - (CO11) * Olympics Preparation Operational Command Unit - (CO12) * [[Traffic Operational Command Unit]] - (CO15) * [[Traffic & Transport Criminal Justice Unit]] - (CO16) * [[Transport Operational Command Unit]] - (CO17) * Operational Support OCU, - (CO18), comprising ** [[Mounted Branch]] ** [[Air Support Unit]] ** [[Dog Support Unit]] ** [[Marine Support Unit]] * [[Specialist Firearms Command]] - (CO19) * [[Territorial Support Group]] - (CO20) A new unit, the [[Metropolitan Special Constabulary]] (MSC) Tasking Unit (also referred to as MSC Operational Support Unit - OSU), is the latest addition. It consists mostly of [[Special Constables]] who provide high-visibility policing and conduct public order patrols, normally on Friday & Saturday nights, mainly as part of [[Operation Optic]], an initiative aimed at reducing alcohol-related violence. ===Specialist Operations=== [[Specialist Operations]] (SO) is currently being commanded by Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick, following the announcement of AC Andy Hayman's retirement on 4 Dec 2007, and DAC Peter Clarke's retirement.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cms.met.police.uk/met/news/met_comment/ac_andy_hayman_announces_his_retirement | title=AC Andy Hayman announces his retirement | accessdate=2007-12-07 | }}</ref> It is responsible for units that undertake tasks of national importance. This department has recently undergone restructuring and now consists of three commands, known as: Protection Command, Security Command and Counter Terrorism Command. [[Image:dpg2.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Red MPS Diplomatic Protection Group (DPG) car]] The Protection Command, headed by Commander Peter Loughborough, is divided into four sections. *'''Specialist Protection''' Responsible for the personal protection of the Prime Minister and other government ministers. *'''Royalty Protection''' Responsible for the personal protection of members of the Royal Family and the protection of royal residences. *'''Diplomatic Protection Group''' Responsible for the protection of embassies and the personal protection of visiting heads of state and heads of government. *'''Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament)''' Responsible for patrolling the building and conducting searches of visitors. The Security Command, headed by Commander Ian Carter, is responsible for security at Heathrow Airport and London City Airport. Their duties include patrolling the interior and exterior of airport buildings and the local area. The Counter Terrorism Command, also known as SO15, was formed by the merger of Special Branch and the Anti-Terrorist Branch. The priority of this command is to keep the public safe and to do everything they can to ensure that London remains a hostile environment for terrorists. Their responsibilities include: bringing to justice anyone engaged in terrorist or related offences, providing a proactive and reactive response to terrorist and related offences, preventing and disrupting terrorist activity, gathering and exploiting intelligence on terrorism and extremism in London, to assist the British Security Service (MI5) and the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), and to assist the National Co-ordinator of Terrorist Investigations outside London. ===Other Metropolitan Police Service Departments=== {| class="wikitable" width="100%" style="text-align:left" |- |+Overview of Metropolitan Police Service Departments |- ! Department !! Led by !! Role |- |'''Public Affairs Department'''||Director of Public Affairs, Dick Fedorcio||Deals with the media and looks after publicity and internal communications |- |'''Resources Department'''||Act Director of Resources, Sharon Burd||Responsible for finance, buildings, procurement etc. |- |'''Strategy, Modernisation & Performance Department'''||Director Stephen Rimmer|| |- |'''Human Resources Department'''||Director of Human Resources, Martin Tiplady|| Personnel management |- |'''Standards & Intelligence Department'''||Assistant Commissioner [[John Yates]]||Includes the [[Directorate of Professional Standards|Professional Standards Unit]] and Legal Services. |- |'''Information Department'''||Director of Information Ailsa Beaton||Responsible for information systems and operational communications, including the [[Metcall]] project. |} ==History== The Metropolitan Police was established on [[September 29]], [[1829]], by the then [[Home Secretary]] Sir [[Robert Peel]], giving rise to the nicknames of "Peelers" or "Bobbies" for members of the force. The headquarters was located at the seat of government at [[Whitehall]] at 4 [[Whitehall Place]] with a back entrance on [[Scotland Yard]]. This latter name soon became established as the public name for the police office and for the force itself. It was the third official non-paramilitary city police force in the world, after the [[City of Glasgow Police]] and the [[Prefecture of Police|Paris Police]]. Until the middle of the 18th century, no police force operated in [[London]]. General law and order was maintained by [[magistrate]]s, volunteer [[constable]]s, watchmen and, where necessary, the [[Military of the United Kingdom|armed forces]]. If a victim of crime wished to pursue an offender they could employ a "thief taker", who earned a living from such payments and, in the case of notorious offenders, the rewards offered by the courts. The novelist [[Henry Fielding]] was appointed a magistrate in Westminster in 1748. His house at No. 4 [[Bow Street]] was established as a courtroom in 1739 by the previous owner Sir [[Thomas de Veil]]. Fielding brought together eight trustworthy constables, who came to be known as the [[Bow Street Runners]], and gave them the authority to enforce the decisions of magistrates. Fielding's blind half-brother Sir [[John Fielding]] (known as the "Blind Beak of Bow Street") succeeded his brother as magistrate in 1754 and refined the patrol into the first truly effective police force for the capital, although the Runners were still magistrate's officers and not patrolling police officers. By 1792 salaried constables were being paid by local magistrates, and 1798 saw the establishment of the [[Marine Police Force]], initially a private body based in [[Wapping]] primarily to police the docks and prevent the theft of cargo. Its success in deterring theft on the docks led to the passing of the Marine Police Bill, which made it the first permanent and publicly funded [[preventive police]] force in the English policing system. This force later amalgamated with the Metropolitan Police to form its [[Thames Division]], which still patrols the river. [[Image:police.three.on.patrol.london.arp.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Two MPS officers and a community support officer near Buckingham Palace]] During the early 19th century, the [[Industrial Revolution]] saw London become much larger. It became clear that the system of locally maintained constabularies was ineffective in the prevention and detection of crime amongst such a large population. [[Royal Assent]] was given to the [[Metropolitan Police Act]] on [[19 June]], [[1829]]. This act placed the policing of the capital directly under the control of the [[Home Secretary]]. The force was headed by two joint Commissioners: [[Charles Rowan|Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Charles Rowan]] and [[Richard Mayne|Sir Richard Mayne]]. Police patrols took to the streets on [[29 September]], [[1829]], despite strong resistance from the populace.<ref>{{cite book |title=Policing:Key Readings |author=Newburn Tim |year=2005 |publisher=Willan Publishing |pages=p. 25}}</ref> The initial force consisted of around 1,000 men with instructions to patrol the streets within a seven-mile (11&nbsp;km) radius of [[Charing Cross]] in order to prevent crime and pursue offenders. Between 1829 and 1830 17 local Divisions, each with their own Divisional police station, were set up, lettered A to V.<ref>Martin Fido and Keith Skinner (2000) "Division" in ''The Official Encyclopedia of Scotland Yard'': 121-22</ref>The following year, on [[June 28]], [[1830]], [[Joseph Grantham]] became the first member of the force to be killed in the line of duty, an incident described by the Coroner's Inquest as 'justifiable homicide'. Other indications of the constabulary's unpopularity with certain sections of the community at this time were such nicknames as 'Raw Lobsters', 'Blue Devils' and 'Peel's Bloody Gang' and incidents where they were beaten up, spiked on railings, blinded and, on one occasion, held down on the road while a coach was driven over them.<ref>Stewart Evans and Donald Rumbelow (2006) ''Jack the Ripper: Scotland Yard Investigates'': 10-12</ref> In 1839 the Bow Street Runners and the Thames Police were amalgamated with the Met. However the [[City of London]] police created in the same year, was a totally independent force. In 1842, taking over a function formerly the responsibility of the Bow Street Runners, a plain-clothed [[Detective Branch]] was formed consisting of two inspectors and six sergeants<ref>"Police" in Ben Weinreb and Christopher Hibbert (1983)'' The London Encyclopedia'': 605-9</ref>. After Rowan's death in 1852, Mayne presided as sole Commissioner. In 1857 he was paid a salary of £1,883, and his two Assistant Commissioners were paid salaries £800 each.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.met.police.uk/history/timeline1850-1869.htm | title=Metropolitan Police History | accessdate=2006-07-20 | date= | work=Met Police }}</ref> It took some time to establish the standards of discipline expected today from a police force. In 1863 215 officers were arrested for drunkenness.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.met.police.uk/history/timeline1850-1869.htm | title=Metropolitan Police History | accessdate=2006-10-28 | date= | work=Met Police }}</ref>In 1872 there was a police strike. In 1877 three high ranking detectives were tried for corruption at the Old Bailey.<ref>Stewart Evans and Donald Rumbelow (2006) ''Jack the Ripper: Scotland Yard Investigates'': 19-20</ref>Due to this latter scandal the Detective Department was re-organised in 1878 by [[C. E. Howard Vincent]] and renamed the [[Criminal Investigation Department]] or [[CID]]. This was separated from the uniformed branch and its head had direct access to the Home Secretary, by-passing the Commissioner.<ref>"Police" in Ben Weinreb and Christopher Hibbert (1983)'' The London Encyclopedia'': 605-9</ref> One of the priorities of the police force from the beginning was "maintaining public order", and they were very active, for example, against the major [[Chartist]] demonstrations (1839-48) and the [[Bloody Sunday (1887)|Bloody Sunday]] demonstration of the unemployed in [[Trafalgar Square]] in 1887. [[Image:Metropolitan Police Flag.gif|thumb|left|300px|Flag of the Metropolitan Police]] The threat of Irish terrorism was combated by the formation of the Special Irish Branch, in March 1883. The "[[Ireland|Irish]]" soubriquet was dropped in 1888 as the department remit was extended to cover other threats, and it became known simply as [[Special Branch]].<ref>Stewart Evans and Donald Rumbelow (2006) ''Jack the Ripper: scotland Yard Investigates'': 20-7</ref><ref>Rupert Allason (1983) ''The Branch: History of the Metropolitan Police Special Branch''. London: Secker & Warburg. ISBN 0 436 01165 4</ref> Important criminal investigations of this period include the [[The Whitechapel Murders (1888-91)|Whitechapel Murders (1888-91)]] and the [[Cleveland Street scandal]] (1889).<ref>Stewart Evans and Donald Rumbelow (2006) ''Jack the Ripper: Scotland Yard Investigates''</ref> By 1900 the force had grown to nearly 16,000 men organised in 21 divisions, controlling a territory of nearly 700 square miles<ref>"Police" in Ben Weinreb and Christopher Hibbert (1983)'' The London Encyclopedia'': 605-9</ref>. Detection of crimes was much improved when [[Edward Henry]] (Metropolitan Police Commissioner 1903-18) set up a Fingerprint Bureau at Scotland Yard in 1901.<ref>Gary Mason (2004) ''The Official History of Scotland Yard'': 31</ref>Important investigations of this period include that into the murderer [[Crippen]] in 1910.<ref>Gary Mason (2004) ''The Official History of Scotland Yard'': 31</ref> Female police constables first joined the force in September, 1949. They used the prefix 'Woman' in front of their rank &mdash; as in Woman Police Constable (WPC) and Woman Police Sergeant (WPS) &mdash; to distinguish themselves from male officers, who had wider authority. Their original duties were restricted to patrolling and the care and observation of female and juvenile male detainees. They were usually seconded to the CID but the first Woman Detective Constable was not appointed until 1970. They were given six-day, 48-hour work weeks but were not allowed to work night shifts, except for special on-call duty, until June 1973. The force continued to be controlled directly by the Home Secretary until 2000, when the newly created [[Greater London Authority]] was given responsibility for the force, through the [[Metropolitan Police Authority]]. The MPA is made up of members appointed by the [[Mayor of London]] and the [[London Assembly]], and several independent members. However, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner is still appointed by the Home Secretary. ==Police ranks== {{see also|UK police ranks}} {{see also|Special Constabulary}} {{see also|Metropolitan Special Constabulary}} The Metropolitan Police uses the standard UK police ranks, indicated by shoulder boards, up to [[Chief Superintendent]], but it has five ranks above that level instead of the standard three.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.met.police.uk/about/ranks.htm | title=Metropolitan Police: Ranks | accessdate=2006-07-19 | date= | work=Met Police}}</ref> {{Met Pol rank insignia}} *[[Constable|Police Constable]] (PC) (Division Call Sign and [[Shoulder Number]]) *Acting [[Sergeant]] (APS) (two or three point down [[Chevron (insigne)|chevrons]] over [[Shoulder Number]] with Division Call Sign) *[[Sergeant]] (Sgt or PS) (three point down [[Chevron (insigne)|chevrons]] over [[Shoulder Number]] with Division Call Sign) *[[Inspector]] (Insp) (two stars of the [[Order of the Bath]], informally known as pips) *[[Chief Inspector]] (Ch Insp) (three pips) *[[Superintendent (police)|Superintendent]] (Supt) (crown) *[[Chief Superintendent]] (Ch Supt) (crown over one pip) *[[Commander]] (Cmdr) (crossed [[tipstaff|tipstaves]] in a bayleaf wreath); this is the first [[ACPO]] rank. *[[Deputy Assistant Commissioner]] (DAC) (one pip over Commander's badge) *[[Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis|Assistant Commissioner]] (AC) (crown over Commander's badge); this rank is equal to a [[Chief Constable]] in other forces in England and Wales, although the functions of the role are different [[Image:Metofficer.JPG|thumb|right|300px|MPS officers on Trafalgar Square]] [[Image:DSC05638.JPG|thumb|right|300px|MPS Officers protecting World Cup revellers in London.]] *[[Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis|Deputy Commissioner]] (crown above two side-by-side small pips, above Commander's badge) *[[Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis|Commissioner]] (crown above one pip above Commander's badge) *The Metropolitan Police also has several active [[British Police Cadets|Volunteer Police Cadet]] units, which maintain their own internal rank structure.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.met.police.uk/cadets/ | title=Metropolitan Police: Cadets | accessdate=2006-07-19 | date= | work=Met Police}}</ref> *The [[Metropolitan Special Constabulary]] is a contingent of part-time Volunteer Police Officers and is attached to most Borough Operational Command Units. The MSC has its own internal rank structure. The prefix 'Woman' in front of female officers' ranks has been obsolete since 1999. Members of the [[Criminal Investigation Department]] (CID) up to and including the rank of Chief Superintendent prefix their ranks with 'Detective'. Other departments, such as [[Special Branch]] and Child Protection, award non-detectives 'Branch Detective' status, allowing them to use the 'Detective' prefix. Detective ranks are abbreviated as DC, DS, DI, etc, and are equivalent in rank to their uniform counterparts. ==Police numbers== The MPS staff consists of full-time uniformed officers, civilian officers who often staff the front desks of police stations - they wear a uniform consisting of a vertically blue-striped shirt - and [[Community Support Officer|Police Community Support Officers]].<ref>[http://www.metpolicecareers.co.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=31 Metropolitan Police PCSO]</ref> The MPS was the first force to introduce these. There are also volunteer [[Special Constabulary|Special Constables]] who are members of the [[Metropolitan Special Constabulary]] (MSC). There are uniformed Traffic Wardens, who wear a uniform with yellow and black markings - they are a distinct body from local authority parking attendants. The former have greater powers that include being able to stop vehicles and re-direct traffic at an incident.<ref>[http://www.mpa.gov.uk/default.htm Metropolitan Police Authority website, home-page]</ref> ===Total numbers 2005/2006=== *Full-time Police Officers: over 31,000 (source MPA) *Police Community Support Officers: over 2100 (source MPA) *Special Constables: 2000 (as of February 2008){{Fact|date=February 2007}} *Traffic wardens: 500 *Other police staff: 13,561<ref>[http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/performance-and-measurement/performance-assessment/assessments-2004-2005/metropolitan-police Home Office Performance Assessment 2004/2005]</ref> ===Historic numbers=== *2007 &mdash; approximately 31,000 *2003 &mdash; approximately 28,000<ref>[http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=1657 GLA press release], [[11 March]] [[2003]]</ref> *2001 &mdash; approximately 25,000<ref>[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200001/cmhansrd/vo010423/text/10423w32.htm Hansard], [[23 April]] [[2001]]</ref> ''(London population 7,172,000)'' *1984 &mdash; approximately 27,000<ref>[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199596/cmhansrd/vo960226/text/60226w27.htm Hansard], [[26 February]] [[1996]]</ref> *1965 &mdash; 18,016<ref>''The Thin Blue Line'', Police Council for Great Britain Staff Side Claim for Undermanning Supplements, 1965</ref> *1952 &mdash; 16,400<ref>Report of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis for the Year 1952. Included 35 Chief Superintendents (including one woman), 12 Detective Chief Superintendents, 62 Superintendents (including one woman), 16 Detective Superintendents, 128 Chief Inspectors (including five women), 64 Detective Chief Inspectors (including one woman), 20 Station Inspectors, 465 Inspectors (including four women), 140 Detective Inspectors (including one woman), 441 Station Sergeants, 202 1st Class Detective Sergeants, 1,834 Sergeants (including 32 women), 414 2nd Class Detective Sergeants (including six women), 11,951 Constables (including 310 women), and 615 Detective Constables (including 27 women). The official establishment was 20,045.</ref> ==Police stations== [[Image:Met Police Blue Lamp.jpg|thumb|left|160px|A traditional blue lamp as seen outside most police stations. This one is outside [[Bow Street]] Police Station]] In addition to the Headquarters at New Scotland Yard, there are 140 police stations in London.<ref>[http://www.met.police.uk/contacts/AZPhonenumbers.htm Met Police stations: A-Z Directory]</ref> These range from large borough headquarters staffed around the clock every day to smaller stations which may be open to the public only during normal business hours, or on certain days of the week. The oldest police station, at [[Bow Street]], which opened in 1881, closed in 1992 and the adjoining [[Bow Street Magistrates Court]] saw its last case on [[14 July]] [[2006]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/5179270.stm BBC: Bow Street court closes its doors]</ref> The oldest operational police station is at [[Wapping]], opened in 1908. It is the headquarters of the [[Marine Support Unit]] (formerly known as Thames Division), which is responsible for policing the [[River Thames]]. It also houses a [[mortuary]] and the River Police Museum. Most police stations can easily be identified from one or more blue lamps located outside the entrance. These were introduced in 1861. A typical police station features separate entrances for the public and police officers, with a small reception room for members of the public, a custody suite and cells for holding and questioning suspects, and administrative offices. In recent years there has been a call from some quarters for more imaginative planning of police stations to aid in improving relations between the police service and the wider community.<ref>[http://www.ippr.org.uk/ecomm/files/reinventing_police_station.pdf Institute for Public Policy Research: Re-inventing the police station] (PDF)</ref> ==Notable incidents and investigations== Some notable major incidents and investigations in which the Metropolitan Police Service has been involved: *[[10 October]] [[2006]] - [[Minstead Rapist|Operation Minstead]] - Detectives from the [[Specialist Crime Directorate]] issue an appeal for the subject of the [[UK]]'s most extensive rape investigation to surrender himself to police.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6036013.stm BBC News website: Surrender plea to serial rapist]</ref> *[[13 September]] [[2006]] - Operation Mokpo - Officers from [[Operation Trident]] make the MPS's largest seizure of firearms after a series of raids in [[Dartford]], [[Kent]]. A senior officer was quoted as saying: ''"This operation has resulted in hundreds of guns being taken out of circulation."''<ref>[http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/display.var.918059.0.biggest_ever_gun_haul_found_opposite_school.php This is Local London: 'Biggest ever' gun haul]</ref> *[[2006 transatlantic aircraft plot|2006 - TransAtlantic Aircraft Bomb Plots]] - The Metropolitan Police continue to investigate alleged aircraft bombing plots and other related terrorist activities by [[militant Islam]]ists. *[[21 July 2005 London bombings|21 July 2005 - Attempted London Bombings]] - Multiple attempted bombings across London, in which MPS officers worked to a similar plan to that used two weeks previously. In the aftermath of these events, [[Jean Charles de Menezes]] was mistakenly targeted as a potential terrorist and shot dead in a deployment of [[Operation Kratos]]. [[Image:police.boat.london.arp.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A Fast Response Targa 31 boat of the Marine Support Unit of the MPS, on the River Thames in London]] *[[July 7, 2005 bombing|7 July 2005 - London Bombings]] - Multiple bombings across London, in which MPS officers worked to a Major Incident Plan to provide coordination, control and forensic and investigative resources.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/7/newsid_4942000/4942238.stm BBC News website: on this day 7 July 2005]</ref> *[[Paddington train crash|5 October 1999 - Paddington Train Crash]] - Often referred to as Ladbroke Grove Crash, two trains collided a short distance outside Paddington Station, killing 31 people.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/october/5/newsid_2493000/2493593.stm BBC News website: on this day 5 October 1990]</ref> *[[J18|18 June 1999 - Anti-capitalist Riot]] - Previously peaceful [[anti-capitalist]] demonstrations ended with disorder in [[City of London|The City]], which caused widespread damage, particularly to businesses in the financial district identified with [[global capitalism]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/june/18/newsid_2515000/2515679.stm 18 June 1999]</ref> Similar rioting broke out on [[1 May]] [[2000]] around [[Trafalgar Square]] and [[Strand, London|The Strand]], and again in 2001. Recently [[May Day]] has been more peaceful, but it remains a potential flashpoint date for such actions. *[[David Copeland|April 1999 - London Nailbomber]] - Lone bomber David Copeland carried out a series of hate attacks on ethnic minority areas and on a pub frequented by the homosexual community.<ref>[http://www.met.police.uk/news/stories/copeland/job/1.htm The Job: Life sentence for London nailbomber]</ref> *[[Stephen Lawrence|Stephen Lawrence and the MacPherson Inquiry]] - From 1993 onwards, a series of operations failed to convict the killers of schoolboy Stephen Lawrence, despite substantial evidence. The resulting MacPherson inquiry found that the Metropolitan Police was 'institutionally racist'. [http://www.archive.official-documents.co.uk/document/cm42/4262/sli-01.htm]. *[[Colin Ireland|1993 - "Gay Slayer"]] - Former soldier Colin Ireland murdered five homosexual men in a deliberate bid to get notoriety - he had read an article that said to be a serial killer you must have killed five times or more.<ref>[http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/predators/ireland/story_1.html Crime Library: Colin Ireland]</ref> *[[Cannon Street station rail crash|8 January 1991 - Cannon Street Train Crash]] - Two people were killed and over 500 injured.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/8/newsid_4091000/4091741.stm BBC News website: on this day 8 January 1991]</ref> *[[Poll tax Riots|31 March 1990 - Trafalgar Square Riot]] - Also known as the [[Poll Tax]] Riot, this was triggered by growing unrest against the Community Charge, and grew from a legitimate demonstration which had taken place that morning. An estimated £400,000-worth of damage was caused. *[[Marchioness disaster|20 August 1989 - Sinking of the Marchioness]] - Pleasure boat the Marchioness was struck by the [[dredger]] ''Bowbelle'', killing 30 people.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/20/newsid_2500000/2500211.stm BBC news website on this day 20 August 1989 ]</ref> *[[Clapham Junction rail crash|12 December 1988 - Clapham Train Crash]] - A packed commuter train passed a defective signal and ran into the back of a second train, derailing it into the path of a third coming the other way. The crash killed 35 people and seriously injured 69 others.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/december/12/newsid_2547000/2547561.stm BBC News website: on this day 12 December 1988]</ref> *[[King's Cross fire|18 November 1987 - King's Cross Fire]] - Fire broke out under a wooden [[escalator]] leading from one of the underground station platforms to the surface. The blaze and resulting smoke claimed 31 lives, including that of a senior firefighter.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/18/newsid_2519000/2519675.stm BBC News website: on this day 18 November 1987]</ref> *[[Stockwell Strangler|1986 - Stockwell Strangler]] - Kenneth Erskine carried out a series of attacks in [[Stockwell]] on elderly men and women, breaking into their homes and strangling them to death. Most were sexually assaulted.<ref>[http://www.serialkillers.nl/kenneth-erskine/kenneth-erskine.htm Serial Killers: Kenneth Erskine]</ref> *[[Broadwater Farm riot|6 October 1985 - Broadwater Farm Riot]] - A week after the Brixton riot of [[28 September]] [[1985]], while tensions among the black community were still high, riots broke out in [[Tottenham]] after the mother of a black man whose house was being searched died of a heart attack during the operation. In the course of the riot, [[Keith Blakelock|PC Keith Blakelock]] was murdered.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/october/6/newsid_4094000/4094928.stm 6 October 1985]</ref> *[[John Duffy and David Mulcahy|1982-1986 Railway Rapists]] - John Duffy and David Mulcahy committed 18 rapes of women and young girls near railway stations in London and the [[South East England|South East]], murdering three of their victims. Metropolitan Police officers worked with neighbouring forces to solve the crimes. Duffy was convicted in 1988, but Mulcahy was not brought to justice until almost 10 years later.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1146657.stm BBC News website: Life for depraved killer]</ref> *[[Moorgate tube crash|28 February 1975 - Moorgate Tube Train Crash]] - A [[London Underground]] train failed to stop and crashed into the [[Buffer stop|buffers]] at the end of a tunnel. The driver and 42 passengers died.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/witness/february/28/newsid_4298000/4298307.stm BBC News website: on this day 28 February 1975]</ref> *[[Brixton riots|1981, 1985, 1995 - Brixton Riots]] - Riots erupted in [[Brixton]], fuelled by dissatisfaction over economic conditions and racial tension. Between the three incidents, nearly 1,000 people were injured and millions of pounds worth of damage were caused.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/25/newsid_2546000/2546233.stm BBC News website: on this day 30 November 1981]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/25/newsid_2546000/2546233.stm BBC News website: on this day 28 September 1985]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/december/13/newsid_2559000/2559341.stm BBC News website: on this day 13 December 1995]</ref> *[[Dennis Nilsen|1978-1983 - Muswell Hill Murders]] - [[serial killer|Mass murderer]] Dennis Nilsen murdered at least 15 men over a period of five years, disposing of the body parts by burning or in the drains, although he was also found to have many remains in his home at [[Muswell Hill]] when police apprehended him.<ref>[http://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/famous_criminal/14/biography/1/Dennis_Nilsen.htm Famous Criminals: Dennis Nilsen]</ref> *[[Notting Hill Carnival|30 August 1975 - Notting Hill Carnival Riot]] - Youths attacked police at the [[Notting Hill]] Carnival when they attempted to arrest a pickpocket, leading to a riot.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/30/newsid_2511000/2511059.stm BBC News website: on this day 30 August 1975]</ref> For some years afterwards the carnival was a source of disorder, but in recent years it has been largely free of trouble. *[[Provisional IRA campaign 1969–1997|1970s-1990s - IRA bombing campaign]] - Throughout the last quarter of the 20th century, several major bombings were carried out by the [[Provisional IRA]]. A list of these and other bombings to which the Metropolitan Police responded is [[London bombings|here]]. ==Facts and figures== * In 1981 a report by [[Lord Scarman]] stated that London's Metropolitan Police were guilty of racial discrimination.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/bbc_parliament/3631579.stm | title=Q&A The Scarman Report| accessdate=2006-07-20 | date=2004-04-27 | work=BBC News }}</ref> The issue arose again in the 1999 [http://www.archive.official-documents.co.uk/document/cm42/4262/4262.htm Macpherson Report], which stated that there was institutional racism.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.archive.official-documents.co.uk/document/cm42/4262/4262.htm | title=The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry| accessdate=2006-07-19 | date=1999-02-24 | work=TSO }}</ref> * In 2000, more than 25% of the population of [[London]] are from [[ethnic]] minorities, while 15% of Met police officers are as of 2004.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.redhotcurry.com/archive/news/2004/met_ethnic_officers.htm | title=Ethnic minority Met officers at record high| accessdate=2006-09-17 | date=2000-02-22 | work=BBC News }}</ref> * In 2003/04, there were 6,202 accidents involving Metropolitan Police vehicles, the [[City of Westminster]] having the highest number in the three years to 2003/04, with 847.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.glalibdems.org.uk/news/234.html?PHPSESSID=801ceb21| title=Liberal Democrats: Met Police collision deaths rise 17% in three years | accessdate=2006-07-19 | date=2005-01-17 | work=Liberal Democrats }}</ref> * Between 1998 and 2005, 60 people died in Metropolitan Police custody.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mpa.gov.uk/about/publications/factsheets/deaths-in-custody.htm | title=Deaths in Custody| accessdate=2006-07-19 | date=November 2002 | work=MPA }}</ref> * Between 1990 and 2005, 41 serving Metropolitan Police officers died in the execution of their duty, eight of these were murdered or fatally injured by an assailant.<ref>[http://www.met.police.uk/history/remembrance4.htm History of the Metropolitan Police: Book Of Remembrance]</ref> The last death of a serving police officer in a violent incident was in 1997.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/198645.stm | title=Blair's tribute to 'remarkable' officer | accessdate=2006-09-17 | date=1998-10-22 | work=BBC News }}</ref> * In 2005 pay scales for the MPS differed from other areas in the [[UK]] to take account of the cost of living and working in the capital. * New constables in the MPS are paid a starting salary of '''£27,402''' (including London weighting), rising to '''£29,847''' on completion of initial training. This continues to rise after probation incrementally, up to a ceiling level of '''£39,373''' after ten years' service (as of September 2006).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://metropolice.metafaq.com/templates/metropolice/main/answerPage?_mftvst:answerRef=%24http%3a%2f%2fapi.transversal.com%2fmfapi%2fobjectref%2fEntryStore%2fEntry%2fhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.metafaq.com%2fmfapi%2fMetafaq%2fClients%2fmetropolice%2fModules%2fmain%2fTopics%2fpay_benefits%3a12384%3a23&_mftvst:inSortDirection=nvst:descending&_mftvst:inSortOn=nvst:popularity&_mftvst:moduleID=%24main&_mftvst:pageFrom=%24listPage&_mftvst:searchString=%24Enter%20your%20question%20here | title=Metropolitan Police Careers Service FAQ | accessdate=2007-04-07 | date=2006-09-01 | work=Metropolitan Police Careers Service }}</ref> * The [[Metropolitan Police Federation]] is the staff association for all police officers below the rank of Superintendent. * In July 2006, The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that it would not be pursuing charges against any MPS officers involved in the shooting of [[Jean Charles de Menezes]]. De Menezes was shot seven times in the head and once in the shoulder. The MPS claimed immediately after the incident that de Menezes was a suspected suicide bomber. It later emerged he was innocent and unarmed. CPS senior lawyer Stephen O'Doherty said, "There is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction against any individual police officer."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5187484.stm | title=CPS statement on Menezes report | accessdate=2006-07-19 | date=2006-07-17 | work=BBC News }}</ref> However, the MPS as an organisation is due to face charges under health and safely laws.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5187902.stm Q&A: Met health and safety charges]</ref> * One police officer in London was found guilty of drunk driving every month during the past three years of 2004 to 2007. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6757337.stm] ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==See also== ===Other police services and related articles=== *[[John Yates]] Met Assistant Commissioner investigating the [[Cash for Peerages]] allegations *[[City of London Police]] *[[British Transport Police]] *[[List of police forces in the United Kingdom]] *[[Policing in the United Kingdom]] *[[The Job (police newspaper)|''The Job'' (MPS newspaper)]] *[[Metropolitan Police F.C.]] *[[Metropolitan Special Constabulary]] *[[Q-car]] ===Other emergency services=== * [[London Ambulance Service]] * [[London Air Ambulance|London Air Ambulance (HEMS)]] * [[London Fire Brigade]] * [[RNLI|Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)]] ==External links== * [http://www.met.police.uk/ Metropolitan Police website] * [http://www.teammet.com/crime_academy/index.html Metropolitan Police Crime Academy] * [http://www.teammet.com/leadership/index.php Metropolitan Police Leadership Academy] * [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/168854f2-d2c3-11dc-8636-0000779fd2ac.html UK police seek agency to tackle overseas demand] * [http://www.laing.com/documents_new/Met_Firearms__sustainability_.pdf Metropolitan Police Specialist Training Centre - Gravesend] * [http://www.cps.gov.uk/ The Crown Prosecution Service] * [http://www.metfed.org/ Metropolitan Police Federation] * [http://www.policecouldyou.co.uk/ Could you? National recruiting website] {{Metropolitan Police}} {{UK Police}} {{London history}} [[Category:London organisations]] [[Category:Metropolitan Police|*]] [[Category:Police forces of England]] [[Category:1829 establishments]] [[da:Metropolitan Police Service]] [[de:Metropolitan Police Service]] [[fr:Metropolitan Police Service]] [[it:Metropolitan Police Service]] [[pt:Metropolitan Police Service]]