Sir Denis O'Connor | |
|---|---|
 Sir Denis O'Connor in 2012 | |
| Chief Inspector of Constabulary | |
| In office 11 May 2009 –31 July 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Sir Ronnie Flanagan |
| Succeeded by | Tom Winsor |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 May 1949 |
| Profession | Police officer |
Sir Denis Francis O'Connor CBE QPM (born 21 May 1949 [1] ) is the former Chief Inspector of Constabulary. He was appointed on 11 May 2009 and retired on 31 July 2012.
Born in Drogheda,Ireland, [2] O'Connor's police career began in 1968 as a constable with the Metropolitan Police. [3] He left in 1970 to attend the University of Southampton,but rejoined the police as a graduate entrant in 1974. [2] In 1985 he was appointed as a superintendent in Surrey Police and returned in 1988 as a chief superintendent to the Metropolitan Police Service. He rose to the rank of commander in the MPS. In 1991,he was appointed as an assistant chief constable with Surrey Police [2] before transferring to Kent Police where he was appointed as deputy chief constable between 1993 and 1997. [3] In 1997,he became a Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner and from 2000 until 2004 was appointed chief constable of Surrey Police. [4]
From 2004,he was one of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary,and became Acting Chief Inspector on 1 December 2008. On 28 March 2012 the Home Secretary announced Sir Denis would retire on 31 July after more than three years in the role. [4] [5]
O'Connor is trustee of the Surrey Care Trust in Woking Surrey,which provides education,training,skills and volunteering opportunities to those who need motivation or a second chance in life. The charity also runs a fund to help those facing hardship throughout Surrey.
He was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in 1996. [2] He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2002, [1] and was knighted in the 2010 Birthday Honours. [10]
| Ribbon | Description | Notes |
 | Knight Bachelor (Kt) |
|
 | Order of the British Empire (CBE) |
|
 | Queen's Police Medal (QPM) |
|
 | Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal |
|
 | Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal |
|
 | Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
