MPS mourns former Commissioner Lord Ian Blair
Former Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Commissioner Lord Ian Blair has died aged 72.
The force said he “sadly passed away on Wednesday July 9 following an illness”.
MPS Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley described Lord Blair as one of “the most influential police leaders of recent decades”.
An Oxford graduate, Lord Blair joined the MPS in 1974 where he started his policing career on the beat in Soho and as a detective chief inspector later played a key role in identifying victims of the Kings Cross Station fire in 1987.
He went on to serve in high-profile leadership roles across the country including assistant chief constable of Thames Valley Police and chief constable of Surrey Police, and returned to the MPS as Deputy Commissioner in 2000. He was appointed Commissioner in 2005.
Lord Blair was given a life peerage in 2010 and made an enormous contribution to modern policing. This included overhauling the approach to rape investigations, the implementation of the neighbourhood policing model and the introduction of community support officers.
Sir Mark said: “Lord Ian’s passing is a huge loss to the police family. He dedicated his life to policing and will be remembered as one of the most influential police leaders of recent decades.
“He oversaw some of the most challenging moments in our history – not least the response to the horrific terror attacks on 7th July 2005 which we commemorated earlier this week.
“Lord Ian will also be remembered for the vast contribution he made to improving our overall approach to policing and the service we provide to victims. What is now seen as best practice in rape cases is in large part a result of his empathy and foresight. He was passionate about the British policing model based around communities and introduced neighbourhood policing and PCSOs as Commissioner.
“Even after leaving the Met, he continued to be friend of policing and police officers, contributing thoughtfully from his position in the House of Lords.
“My thoughts and the thoughts of everyone at the Met are with Lord Ian’s family and friends during this difficult time, and particularly his wife, Felicity and their children Amelia and Josh.”