MPS to phase out chief inspector and commander ranks

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) confirmed today (October 14) it will scrap two of its 11 ranks by summer 2018 to reduce the layers of hierarchy.

The role of commander will be phased out of the new leadership model, as well as the role of chief inspector.

A statement from the General Secretary for the Police Federation for England and Wales, Andy Fittes indicated forces across England and Wales have been left “discernibly concerned about what the future holds.”

He continued: “Removing ranks does not remove workload. Tasks and responsibilities will need to be shared across the other ranks, including inspectors, adding additional work to an often already unmanageable amount.”

The MPS claims this change will give officers more freedom to make decisions and spend less time waiting for decisions to come down the chain of command.

A pilot has been running in Westminster that has already shown that streamlining leadership can lead to better decision-making, it said in a statement.

Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey added: “The Met has always adapted to the challenges of making London the safest global city.

“This change will allow more agile decision-making and better communication as we transform ourselves for the challenges of policing in a digital age.

“We are fortunate to have exceptional officers at both commander and chief inspector rank, who play a vital role in managing the risks to public safety in London.

“I am hugely grateful to all the officers who currently hold these ranks, and we will continue to value their commitment to the organisation while we introduce a new structure that is right for the changing demands on policing.”

The MPS currently has five ranks at chief officer level, two more than any other force and will be the only force to officially eliminate the rank of chief inspector. Although a number of forces have significantly reduced their number over the last six years.

The announcement comes three months after the NPCC concluded there is no case or evidence to support changes to the police rank structure but admitted there is a need to reconsider how the police service views and utilises the current ranks.