Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
Epaulette
Incumbent Dame Lynne Owens since 20 February 2023[1]
Reports to	Commissioner
Appointer	Monarch on advice of the Home Secretary
Term length	Fixed term (maximum of 5 years, extendable)[2]
Formation	1829
Deputy	Assistant Commissioners of Police of the Metropolis
Salary	£250,944 per annum[3]
Website	www.met.police.uk

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The Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, commonly referred to simply as the Deputy Commissioner, is the second-in-command of London's Metropolitan Police Service. The rank is senior to Assistant Commissioner, but junior by one rank to Commissioner. The Deputy Commissioner's salary from 1 September 2010 is £214,722, making them the second highest paid British police officer.^[4]

History

In addition to the assistant commissioners, the position of Deputy Commissioner was legally established as a separate rank in 1931. However, the Assistant Commissioner "A" had acted as de facto deputy for some years and had been given the courtesy title of Deputy Commissioner since 1922. The Deputy Commissioner's Crown appointment continued to be Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis until at least the early 1970s.^[5] Sir Jim Starritt may have been the first officer to have been appointed Deputy Commissioner by the Crown.

Insignia

The badge of rank worn on the epaulettes by the Deputy Commissioner is unique in the British police service, this being a crown, above two small pips placed side by side, above crossed tipstaves in a wreath. This badge was introduced in 2001; before that the Deputy Commissioner wore the same rank badge as the assistant commissioners – a crown over crossed tipstaves in a wreath.^{[citation needed]}

Deputy Commissioners

Those listed in bold type became Commissioner.

1. Sir James Olive, 1922–1925
2. Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Royds, 1926–1931
3. The Hon. Sir Trevor Bigham, 1931–1935
4. Colonel The Hon. Sir Maurice Drummond, 1935–1946
5. Sir John Nott-Bower, 1946–1953
6. Sir Ronald Howe, 1953–1957
7. Joseph Simpson, 1957–1958
8. Sir Alexander Robertson, 1958–1961
9. Douglas Webb, 1961–1966
10. Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Ranulph Bacon, 1966
11. Sir John Waldron, 1966–1968
12. Robert Mark, 1968–1972
13. John Hill, 1972
14. Sir Jim Starritt, 1972–1975
15. Sir Colin Woods, 1975–1977
16. Patrick Kavanagh, 1977–1983
17. Albert Laugharne, 1983–1985
18. Peter Imbert, 1985–1987
19. Sir John Dellow, 1987–1991
20. Sir John Smith, 1991–1995
21. Sir Brian Hayes, 1995–1998
22. Sir John Stevens, 1998–2000
23. Sir Ian Blair, 2000–2005
24. Sir Paul Stephenson, 2005–2009
25. Tim Godwin, 2009–2011^[6][7]
26. Sir Craig Mackey, 2012–2018^[8][9]
27. Sir Stephen House, 2018–2022 (acting commissioner 2021–2022)
28. Helen Ball, 2021–2022 (acting)
29. Dame Lynne Owens, 2023–present^[1] (interim 2022–2023)