Sir Steve House appointed MPS deputy commissioner
The former chief constable of Police Scotland has been selected to replace Sir Craig Mackey as deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service.
Sir Steve House has been appointed on a five year contract and will take over from Sir Craig when he retires in December.
Cressida Dick, MPS Commissioner, said the successful candidate’s track record, having previously been a MPS assistant commissioner and the first chief constable of Police Scotland, taking on the role of merging the previous eight forces into one north of the border, made him the best candidate for the role.
Sir Steve retired from Police Scotland in 2015, a few months before the end of his contract amid a political storm over call centre failings and deployment decisions.
Ms Dick said: “The role of deputy commissioner requires the ability to lead this huge and complex organisation through ongoing significant change whilst ensuring we are tackling the challenges of keeping the capital safe. London needs someone with a proven and extensive track record operating at this level and the passion to make a real difference.
“The deputy commissioner is also a highly influential role in nationwide police leadership.
“Steve combines both immense operational and leadership expertise and experience with a passion for policing and for London. I am confident he will be a superb deputy commissioner, and look forward to working with him in his new role. He will be a worthy successor to Craig who has been a brilliant deputy for the past seven years.
“I believe this appointment will mean we have an exceptionally strong Management Board team to give the Met the support and clear direction needed, and to give London the service it deserves.”
The Home Secretary also expressed his confidence in Sir Steve’s leadership ability and gratitude to the incumbent.
Sajid Javid said: “The role of deputy commissioner is one of the most challenging in policing, so I am delighted that someone with the experience and expertise of Sir Stephen House is taking up the task.
“Sir Stephen has demonstrated his leadership qualities, he is the right choice to help steer the country’s biggest force – particularly in its work tackling violent crime in the capital.
“I would also like to thank Sir Craig Mackey for his dedication and unstinting service to policing. His career has been truly distinguished and I wish him all the best in his retirement.”
Sir Steve said: “I’m delighted to become the next deputy commissioner. It is a privilege to serve both Londoners, and the dedicated and professional officers, staff and volunteers in the Met in our mission of keeping London safe. With both demand and the complexity of policing increasing, and ongoing financial pressures, I’m under no illusion of the challenges of the role, however, I will be building on the strong foundations Sir Craig Mackey, and the wider Management Board, have already established. I look forward to working closely with the Commissioner, the Mayor and the Home Office, and to championing the extraordinary work and achievements of the organisation in my new role.”
Sadiq Khan sent his congratulations to the new deputy commissioner.
The Mayor of London said: “Steve brings great knowledge and experience to the role and I look forward to working closely with him over the coming years to keep Londoners safe and protected.”
Sir Steve re-joined the MPS as assistant commissioner for operations in March 2018. Previously he worked in the private sector after retiring as chief constable of Police Scotland in November 2015.
He previously served as deputy assistant commissioner and then assistant commissioner in charge of Central Operations and then the Specialist Crime Directorate, before moving to Strathclyde Police as chief constable in 2007.
