Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
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]
Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
Monarch
on advice of the Home Secretary
Fixed term (maximum of 5 years, extendable)[2]
1829
£250,944 per annum[3]
History[edit]
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[edit]
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.