Former MPS commissioner and RUC chief constable dies

A former Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) commissioner and author of a guide on professional behaviour in policing has died.

Sir Kenneth Newman served for 41 years while working in some of the most important roles in policing.

The Hackney-born officer began his career at the Palestine Police Force in 1946, before joining the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) when the force was disbanded in 1948.

He made his way through the ranks quickly, becoming a chief superintendent by 1965 while studying law part-time at London University.

Sir Kenneth gained his degree in 1971 and became a commander in charge of community policing – while the concept was in its early stages.

During his time at the MPS, Sir Kenneth voiced his aspirations to work for the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) as he said Northern Ireland was a “chief constable’s dream” with only 8,000 indictable offences to deal with, according to a book called ‘The Policing of Politics in the Twentieth Century: Historical Perspectives’.

Despite Northern Ireland facing chaotic and violent times during ‘The Troubles’ conflict, he became deputy chief constable of the RUC in 1973, where he was dubbed “the wee man” as he was only just over the height requirements for the job.

In 1976, Sir Kenneth took charge of the force with an aim to institute the “primacy of the police” and disengage the British Army from dealing with murders and bombings, which led to a drop in British soldier fatalities.

Knighted in 1978 for his work in Northern Ireland, Sir Kenneth became Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary the next year.

He was also appointed commandant of the police staff college, where he taught new ways of responding to terrorism and civil disturbance.

Following the departure of Sir David McNee in 1982, Sir Kenneth was appointed as commissioner of the MPS and was the first to seek the advice of management consultants.

In 1985, he published ‘The Principles of Policing and Guidance for Professional Behaviour’, known to many as “the little blue book”, in which he advised officers not to join the Freemasons.

The Freemasons responded by setting up a new lodge, the Manor of St James.

Controversy followed Sir Kenneth throughout his career, and one of the biggest tests he had to face was the murder of Police Constable Keith Blakelock in 1985.

PC Blakelock was brutally killed during a riot on the Broadwater Farm estate in Tottenham, north London.

Sir Kenneth responded to the riot by warning that plastic bullets and CS gas might have to be used in the future to such violence as he described the attack as “senseless and beyond belief”.

After his retirement in 1987, he took directorships with the security consultant Control Risks, Automated Security Holdings and the Automobile Association.

Sir Kenneth died on February 4, 2017, aged 90.