Sir Mark Rowley, who has assumed the role of Dame Cressida Dixon’s successor, has been appointed the Metropolitan Police Commissioner.
Sir Mark, 57 years old, was the head of the Met Police’s counterterrorism unit from 2014 to 2018, before he left to pursue a career in private industry.
After a string of scandals, Dame Cressida was forced to resign as commissioner in February
Sir Mark stated that he was deeply honored to have been appointed commissioner.
He stated in a statement that he was leading the renewal of police by consent. This mission has been so severely compromised in recent years as trust and confidence have declined.
“We will bring more trust, less crime, and high standards to London and the rest of the world. We will also work with London’s diverse communities to renew the unique British invention of policing by consent.”
Sir Mark will be serving a five-year term with an annual salary of less than PS293,000.
After leading the police response to the Manchester Arena Bombing, the Westminster Bridge Attack and the London Bridge Attack in 2018, he was knighted.
After graduating from Cambridge University with a mathematics degree, Sir Mark started his police career in the West Midlands as a constable.
He was chief constable of Surrey Police between 2008 and 2011. In 2011, he joined the Met as the assistant commissioner for special crime and operations.
Sir Mark, who left the Met Police in 2002, has been involved with security and policy projects, including a review for the Commission for Countering Extremism.
In 2017, he applied for the position of commissioner, but was rejected by Dame Cressida.
Five months ago, the Met’s first female commissioner resigned after Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, stated that he was losing confidence in her leadership.
Her final months were marred by scandals including the murder of Sarah Everard, a serving officer of police, and Dame Cressida handling racist and homophobic messages that were shared by a group at Charing Cross station police station.
Many will recognize Sir Mark Rowley, the man who led the country through the dark days of 2017, following several terror attacks.
He now faces another challenge: to lead the largest police force in the country, at a moment when public trust has been shaken by a series scandals.
The police watchdog placed the force in special measures last week.
Some commentators on the search for a new leader believed it should be someone outside the force, someone who can take a fresh look at Met’s problems.
It was also noted that the decision came down to an “all-male, all-white” choice. After whittling down candidates, the final two were Sir Mark Ephgrave and Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave.
Sir Mark’s supporters cite his vast experience and leadership skills. Mayor says that the new commissioner is determined to reform.
He’ll certainly be under pressure to bring about change quickly.
Priti Patel, Home Secretary, said about the new appointment: “I look ahead to working closely with Sir Mark.
“This will be a difficult period, but Sir Mark is focused on tackling neighbourhood crime, delivering the basics of police, and is committed to tackling major challenges facing the force, and making London safer by driving down crime, and bringing more criminals into justice.”
Diane Abbott, former shadow home secretary, said that it was disappointing that Sadiq Khan and Priti Patel decided to bring Mark Rowley back from retirement.
Sir Mark was described by the Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP as “he spent much of his professional life in the Met. There is no evidence that he’s a reformer. Missed an opportunity.
Follow BBC London on Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk