The Home Secretary Priti Patel has announced the appointment of Sir Mark Rowley as the new Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service.
Sir Mark was formally appointed by Her Majesty the Queen following a recommendation from the Home Secretary, after a competitive recruitment process. Representations from the Mayor of London were considered by the Home Secretary as part of this recommendation.
Sir Mark Peter Rowley QPM was Chief Constable of Surrey Police for four years before joining the Metropolitan Police Service in 2011 where he was Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Crime and Operations of the Metropolitan Police Service. In 2014, he became the National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Counter Terrorism.
He was knighted in 2018 for his exceptional contribution to national security and national leadership at a time of unprecedented threat.
Sir Mark Rowley’s career in policing spans over 30 years, during which time he has transformed national security and policing. As Chief Constable, he lifted the public confidence levels in Surrey to the highest in the country. After joining the Metropolitan Police Service, Sir Mark transformed the approach to UK counter terrorism and policing gangs, increasing community engagement and workforce diversity, leading the police response to the London terror attacks of 2017 and reducing shootings and murders in London to an all-time low. He also led reform in policing of public order, organised crime and fraud, launching the 200 strong Operation Falcon team to combat the growth of online fraud and cybercrime.
Since leaving policing in 2018 he has worked in specialist security projects and on technology/data led transformation with start-ups and the world’s largest professional services company. He has focused on the areas of countering extremism and racism, online safety, institutional integrity and illicit finance.
Sir Stephen House is currently Acting Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service. The date of Sir Mark’s first day in the role will be confirmed in due course.
