Head of Counter Terror Command to retire

The Metropolitan Police Service has announced that Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Osborne, Senior National Coordinator Counter Terrorism and Head of the Counter Terrorism Command, will retire from the police service in July.

DAC Osborne has more than 31 years of service in the Metropolitan Police Service and spent four years in his current role as the national lead for counter terrorism investigations.

He said: “I am immensely proud to have led the counter terrorism network over the last four years and pay tribute to the officers across the country who work tirelessly day after day to keep the public safe from terrorists.

“I wanted to extend my police career beyond 30 years to help ensure that London, and the UK as a whole, delivered a safe and secure Olympics which we achieved thanks to the dedication of everyone involved in the policing operation.

“With the recent convictions of several terrorist cells arrested last summer and with no major terrorism trials now outstanding I feel now is the right time to move on and explore new opportunities.”

MPS Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan Howe said: “DAC Osborne has made a very significant contribution to the fight against terrorism, and to policing as a whole, during his career.

“His attention to detail in managing some extremely complex and high risk investigations has made a significant contribution to national security`.

“Senior national coordinator is a very demanding and time consuming role and I thank him for all he has done and also his family for the support they have given.”

Arrangements to appoint DAC Osborne`s successor are in hand and an advertisement will appear shortly.