The rank was introduced in 1919 as an intermediate rank between assistant commissioner and (the Metropolitan Police rank of) chief constable.[1] Deputy assistant commissioners were always warranted constables, as opposed to the higher ranks who were instead sworn as magistrates.[1] In 1946 the rank was split, with senior DACs continuing to hold the rank and junior DACs (the four district commanders and the deputy to the assistant commissioner "C" in the Criminal Investigation Department) being regraded to the new rank of commander.[2]
The rank was abolished on 1 April 1995 following recommendations made in the Sheehy Report, later confirmed by the Police Act 1996, although officers already holding the rank could continue to hold it. Senior commanders were in the meantime sometimes given the designation "deputy to assistant commissioner". The Home Office officially reintroduced the rank on 1 January 2002 under the terms of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001.[1]
All the deputy assistant commissioners initially held senior staff jobs at Scotland Yard. In 1933, command of the four Districts, formerly held by chief constables, was given to deputy assistant commissioners, with the chief constables remaining as their deputies.[3][4] District commanders were regraded to commander in 1946,[2] but later regained DAC rank, holding it until 1995, by which time there were eight areas (as the districts had been renamed). These were reorganised into five and handed over to the assistant commissioners.[1]
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), formerly known as the Metropolitan Police, which is still its common name, serves as the territorial police force responsible for law enforcement and crime prevention within Greater London. In addition, it is responsible for specialised tasks throughout the United Kingdom, such as dealing with counter-terrorism throughout the UK, and the protection of certain individuals, including the monarch, royal family, governmental officials, and other designated figures. Commonly referred to as the Met, it is also referred to as Scotland Yard or the Yard, after the location of its original headquarters in Great Scotland Yard, Whitehall in the 19th century. The Met is presently headquartered at New Scotland Yard, on the Victoria Embankment.
Commander is a common naval officer rank as well as a job title in many armies. Commander is also used as a rank or title in other formal organizations, including several police forces. In several countries this naval rank is termed frigate captain.
Chief Constable is the rank used by the chief police officer of every territorial police force in the United Kingdom except for the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police, as well as the chief officers of the three 'special' national police forces, the British Transport Police, Ministry of Defence Police, and Civil Nuclear Constabulary. The title is also held by the chief officers of the principal Crown Dependency police forces and the Sovereign Base Areas Police in Cyprus. The title was also held, ex officio, by the president of the Association of Chief Police Officers under the Police Reform Act 2002. It was also the title of the chief officer of the Royal Parks Constabulary until this agency was disbanded in 2004.
Sir John Reginald Hornby Nott-Bower was Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, the head of the London Metropolitan Police, from 1953 to 1958. He was the first career police officer to hold this post.
Police ranks are a system of hierarchical relationships in police organisations. The rank system defines authority and responsibility in a police organisation, and affects the culture within the police force. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms.
Chief superintendent is a senior rank in police forces, especially in those organised on the British model.
A division was the usual term for the largest territorial subdivision of most British police forces. In major reforms of police organisation in the 1990s divisions of many forces were restructured and retitled Basic Command Units (BCUs), although as of 2009 some forces continue to refer to them as divisions.
Inspector, also police inspector or inspector of police, is a police rank. The rank or position varies in seniority depending on the organization that uses it.
Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, usually just Assistant Commissioner (AC), is the third highest rank in London's Metropolitan Police, ranking below Deputy Commissioner and above Deputy Assistant Commissioner. There have usually been four officers in the rank; however, as of December 2023, there are seven owing to the appointment of a new portfolio, Trust and Legitimacy, and the continuing secondments of Rob Beckley to Operation Resolve, the criminal investigation into the Hillsborough Disaster, and Stephen Kavanagh to Interpol. There have also, at times, been five or six.
Deputy chief constable (DCC) is the second highest rank in all territorial police forces in the United Kingdom. The British Transport Police, Ministry of Defence Police, Civil Nuclear Constabulary, and the Isle of Man Constabulary each also has a DCC.
Superintendent (Supt) is a rank in the British police and in most English-speaking Commonwealth nations. In many Commonwealth countries, the full version is superintendent of police (SP). The rank is also used in most British Overseas Territories, in many former British colonies, as well as in Portugal and in several former Portuguese colonies. In some countries, such as Italy, the rank of superintendent is a lower rank.
The Superintendent of Police (SP) is a rank in Indian police forces held by an officer who serves as the head of a rural police district. Other officers of the same rank may lead specialised wings or units. In cities under commissionerate system, an SP and SSP may serve as the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) under the Commissioner of Police. The SP reports directly to the district magistrate (collector), the administrative head of a revenue district, who has general control and direction over police administration. Additionally, an SP sends monthly reports to the Director General of Police (DGP) through the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Major Sir Philip Reginald Margetson was an Assistant Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police.
Sir John Lovegrove Waldron was a British police officer who served as Chief Constable of Berkshire Constabulary from 1954 to 1958 and Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police from 1968 to 1972.
Sir Henry Dalton CBE was a senior officer in the London Metropolitan Police. He served as Assistant Commissioner "B", in charge of traffic policing, from 1947 to 1956.
In the United Kingdom, a chief police officer is the most senior police officer in a police force. The chief police officers are the 53 Chief Constables, the Commissioner of the City of London Police and the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. They are members of the National Police Chiefs' Council.
Sir George Abbiss was a British police officer in the London Metropolitan Police.
Chief inspector is a rank used in police forces which follow the British model. In countries outside Britain, it is sometimes referred to as chief inspector of police (CIP).
Sir John Alfred Smith is a retired British police officer with the London Metropolitan Police.
Rose Mary Fitzpatrick is a retired British police officer.
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