MPA: New Independent members announced

David Lenton on 1 August 2008 at 11:20

Tags: 2008, appointment, independent member, independent members, mpa, news, press release, press releases,

44/08
01 August 2008

The Metropolitan Police Authority today announced the appointment of nine independent members who will serve on the Authority for the next term of office starting on 1 October 2008.

Cindy Butts and Kirsten Hearn have been reappointed as independent members.

Reshard Auladin has been appointed as an independent member having previously served on the Authority as a magistrate member, a category that no longer exists.

Christopher Boothman, Dr Valerie Brasse, Neil Johnson, Clive Lawton, Deborah Regal and Graham Speed are newly appointed as independent members of the MPA.

Commenting on these appointments, Catherine Crawford, MPA Chief Executive, said:

“I am delighted to welcome our new independent members, each of whom brings valuable experience and expertise to their role with the Metropolitan Police Authority.

“I am also pleased that existing members considered the work of the Authority important enough to seek reappointment and that some were successful. Their return was in no way guaranteed, decisions were made after rigorous interview and consideration, but their presence will guarantee a vital level of operational continuity.

“The success of the MPA depends on the abilities and dedication of its members. I know that our new members will be dedicated to the task of ensuring a fair and effective police service for all London’s communities and look forward to commencing their duties.

“In welcoming the new independent members I should also like to pay tribute to the invaluable contribution of the current members who will be standing down at the end of September. Their dedicated work has helped to shape and improve policing in the capital.”

Notes to editors

1. The Police & Justice Act (2007) changed the appointment process and basis of police authority membership in several ways. Magistrate members cease to exist as a separate category. The MPA will now comprise twelve London Assembly members appointed to the Authority by the mayor, and eleven Independent members, at least one of whom must be a magistrate, while one is appointed by the Home Secretary to represent her interest in the Metropolitan Police Service’s national and international functions.
2. Lord Toby Harris already sits on the MPA as the Home Secretary’s appointee to represent her interest in the Metropolitan Police Service’s national and international functions. The other independent member is Faith Boardman who’s term of office lasts until 2011.
3. These appointments will run until 30 June 2012.
4. The appointments are subject to security clearance.
5. The MPA independent member positions were advertised publicly and the closing date for applications was 4 June. Over 140 applications were received. The appointment process had two stages: a selection panel, on which the MPA, the mayor and the Home Office were represented, was responsible for recommending suitable candidates to the Authority, while the final selection and appointment was made by a panel of MPA members.

Further media information

For further information, please contact the MPA press office

MPA London Assembly members announced

Celia Prentice on 12 May 2008 at 16:41

Tags: 2008, announced, announcement, appointed, appointment, full authority, london assembly, members, mpa, news, press release, press releases,

23/08
12 May 2008

London Assembly members appointed to serve on the Metropolitan Police Authority have been announced by Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, today.

Newly appointed are: Kit Malthouse, Steve O’Connell, Dick Tracey, Victoria Borwick, James Cleverly, Navin Shah and Caroline Pidgeon.

Len Duvall, Jennette Arnold, Richard Barnes, Jenny Jones and Dee Doocey have been reappointed for a second term.

Mr Duvall, Chair of the Authority, said:

"Overseeing the policing of London is an immensely important statutory role for the Metropolitan Police Authority and its 23 members, and I am pleased to welcome new members onto the Authority, and welcome back colleagues who have already served with distinction and significant commitment.

"We have worked with the Mayor of London, the Commissioner and others to achieve a great deal over the past few years - not least the biggest increase in police numbers in the history of the Met, and the rollout of police and PCSO teams across every ward in London.

"But there is still much to do, as has been clearly demonstrated over the weekend with the senseless murder of yet another teenager. This is clearly unacceptable, and we will work with the new Mayor, Commissioner and many others to bring about even greater improvements in order to make our streets safer."

The appointment of Assembly Members to the MPA are effective from today (12 May) and run until 30 September 2008. From 1 October under new powers the Mayor can sit as Chair of the Authority or appoint the Chair.

Toby Harris has been reappointed as an independent member by the Home Secretary to represent his interest in the Metropolitan Police Service’s national and international functions.

ENDS

Further media information

For further information, please contact the MPA press office 

MPA appoints Metropolitan Police Service’s new Assistant Commissioner Specialist Operations

David Lenton on 7 February 2008 at 22:27

Tags: appointment, assistant commissioner specialist operations, bob quick, gla, greater london, greater london authority, london, management board, met, met police, metropolitan police authority, metropolitan police service, mpa, mps, news, police, police force, police officer, police service, policing, press release, press releases,

05/08
7 February 2008

The Metropolitan Police Authority today appointed Bob Quick to become the Metropolitan Police Service’s new Assistant Commissioner Specialist Operations.

The role of Assistant Commissioner Specialist Operations comprises the Counter Terrorism Command, Specialist Protection and Royalty Protection.

Bob Quick is currently Chief Constable of Surrey Constabulary.

The interviews were conducted by a panel of six MPA members, with Sir Ian Blair, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, and Denis O’Connor, Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, acting as police advisers. Charles Farr, Director-General of the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism, represented the Home Secretary’s interest in counter-terrorism policing. Catherine Crawford, MPA Chief Executive, was also in attendance.

MPA Chair Len Duvall, who led the interview panel, said:

“This is a very challenging position within the MPS which requires the appointment of an outstanding officer with significant experience. Essential to the role is both a commitment to protect the UK from international terrorist activity, as well as the requirement for effective communications skills to work together with our communities in London, the most diverse capital city in the world.

“All of us on the panel were impressed by each candidate’s skills. However, Bob Quick impressed us with his particular display of knowledge and the leadership qualities he will bring to this vital position.”

Commissioner Sir Ian Blair described the post of Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations as “undoubtedly one of the toughest jobs in UK policing”.

Sir Ian said:

“I am delighted to welcome an officer of Bob Quick’s calibre to the Management Board of the MPS and have no doubt he has the skills and all round policing experience needed to be effective in this incredibly demanding post.

“Protecting London against terrorism will remain the Met’s number one priority for the foreseeable future and taking the strategic lead in that at Assistant Commissioner level requires real dedication and commitment.

“All the applicants were of a high calibre but I have no doubt the person with the right skills and experience has been chosen for this important and demanding position.”

Notes to Editors

1.    Assistant Commissioner Specialist Operations: The post holder is a member of the MPS Management Board and is directly responsible to the Commissioner. The post's principal accountabilities are to:

• provide strategic and effective leadership and vision to fight terrorism. Provide protection and maintain the confidence of other key agencies and forces;
• safeguard all communities through professional excellence in counter terrorism, security and protection;
• be ahead of changing national and international threats from terrorism and extremism and to develop further the capability and capacity to meet those threats;
• provide an effective liaison with colleagues in London boroughs and other parts of the Metropolitan Police Service in order to inform counter terrorism, security and protection responses;
• increase early identification of threats from terrorism, and opportunities for countering them; and
• enhance the security of key locations and protected persons.
  

2.    The appointment to Assistant Commissioner is for a five year fixed term period at an annual salary of £168,006 plus benefits.

3.    The closing date for receipt of applications was Friday 4 January 2008. Shortlisting took place on 31 January 2008, with an assessment process on 4 February for the shortlisted candidates. Interviews were held on 7 February 2008.

Further media information

For further information, please contact the MPA press office.