Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, Met Police.
Neil Basu has been appointed as the Metropolitan Police’s new Assistant Commissioner responsible for leading counter terrorism policing nationally.
Mr Basu will take over from AC Mark Rowley as head of the Met’s Specialist Operations when AC Rowley retires later this month. Currently Mr Basu is the Senior National Coordinator for counter terrorism policing and AC Rowley’s deputy, a position he has held since October 2016.
Commissioner Cressida Dick said, “I am delighted that Neil is joining our senior team. He takes on a job of enormous importance and responsibility leading counter terrorism policing nationally and in London and is a worthy successor to Mark Rowley. Neil has the skills, experience and character we need. He has already undertaken some of the toughest jobs in policing, not least in the last year as senior national coordinator countering terrorism and has proven how good his judgment and resilience is. He is a leader of courage, compassion and integrity and I know he will do a great job.”
Mr Basu said, “It is a privilege to be asked to join the management board of the Met and to lead for CT policing at such a point in our history. It is both a challenge and a duty that I accept with humility and a sense of great purpose. I will lead to the best of my ability, the most extraordinary people I have ever worked with as they work night and day to counter terrorism.”
Mr Basu was promoted to Deputy Assistant Commissioner in 2015 and at that time was posted to lead on protection and security, including Royalty and Specialist Protection, Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Aviation Policing and Protective Security Operations. He took up his current role as Senior National Coordinator for counter terrorism on 17 October 2016, responsible for delivering the police response to pursuing terrorists and the Prevent strategy. Prior to that, he has worked as a detective in all ranks to detective superintendent in a range of areas, including anti-corruption and homicide for Trident within the Serious and Organised Crime Command. He has also held the posts of area commander for South East London and head of armed policing within the Met.
He will take over as Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations on 21 March.
A recruitment campaign will be launched later this month to fill Mr Basu’s current role as Senior National Coordinator. In the interim, Commander Dean Haydon, who is the head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command (SO15) will undertake this role as temporary Deputy Assistant Commissioner and Senior National Coordinator. Clarke Jarrett will temporarily take on the role of Commander for SO15.
