Tonight:
4°c
Norfolk chief to police London streets
Peter Dominiczak29 Oct 2009
Scotland Yard has named the officer who will take charge of the Met's neighbourhood policing.
Ian McPherson, Chief Constable of Norfolk Police, succeeds Tim Godwin in the £177,000-a-year role of assistant commissioner for territorial policing.
He will command about 30,000 officers and staff as he takes the lead for policing in 32 boroughs.
The move will provoke speculation over Mr McPherson's package after it emerged he collected £70,000 for moving to Norfolk three years ago. Forces across the country were criticised this year for ignoring pay scales and offering perks to top officers.
Kit Malthouse, vice chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, said the Met would continue to outbid forces to secure talented people.
Last week it was revealed that Mr McPherson was forced to make a public apology after his son Jack displayed offensive placards at a police training event.
Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said he will take on an "incredibly challenging and rewarding role".
Reader views (10)
Brain G, Norfolk, I`m not a Metropolitan Police Officer, nor do I work for the Met in any capacity and I don`t see how my comment can be deemed to be `fulsome in my praise` of them. My point is that I believe that most of the London public prefer officers with half an idea of what London life is all about to be overseeing the Policing of London, not an import from one of the most rural counties in the UK. I`m struggling to see any similarities between Norfolk and London. If however he`d served in the Met in the past ( which he hasn`t)I`d take a different view. Cheers.
- Matt, Islington, 30/10/2009 16:11
Report abuse
Matt from Islington.
I have worked along side Met officers and I would not be so fulsome in their praises for them if I were you. No matter where you police, you all face the same problems and you can hardly say the Met has covered itself in glory in recent times can you. Quite a few cock ups in basic policing have let plenty of people walk free. Just judge the guy by how he performs - hes gots loads of experience and is no one`s fool.
- Brian G, Norfolk Gorleston, 30/10/2009 13:06
Report abuse
Matt, just because he comes from Norfolk doesnt mean he hasnt policed major cities. Most Chief Constables are not in charge of a force that they have policed. Good to see you are giving him a chance
- Steven Jones, london, 30/10/2009 12:25
Report abuse
Great, another country bumpkin coming to London trying to tell London coppers how to police London.
- Matt, Islington, 29/10/2009 18:38
Report abuse
Being ex job and living in the glorious county of Norfolk I can assure you all that Mr McPherson is no slouch. We are truely sorry for passing Andy Hayman onto you; but you will find this guy completely different. He is not what you would call outspoken but he knows what he wants and is not afraid of taking on the Police Federation if he feels any changes to working practices are necessary etc. He is straight forward kind of guy and will go down well, of that I am sure. The best Chief Constable we have had for a long time.
- Brian G, Norfolk Gorleston, 29/10/2009 14:13
Report abuse
"Squiz, you've obviously never been to Nottingham. Some parts of it there are far worse than the worst London has to offer, so give the guy a chance!"
-Jl,London
Well Jl you've obviously never been to school or looked at a map, because the last time I checked, Nottingham was nowhere near Norfolk!
Nottingam is in Nottinghamshire (East Midlands) and Norfolk is in East Anglia.
Get your facts right before you criticise others.
- Anon Pc, London Compound,Londongrad,EUSSR, 29/10/2009 13:49
Report abuse
Yes I'm sure some areas of Nottingham would give South Central LA a run for its money but doesn't the article say he's from Norfolk ?
- Squiz, Islington, 29/10/2009 13:09
Report abuse
Squiz, you've obviously never been to Nottingham. Some parts of it there are far worse than the worst London has to offer, so give the guy a chance. You never know he may just be able to offer something good.
- Jl, London, 29/10/2009 11:56
Report abuse
SQuiz they hop from force to force like butterflys hop from leaf to leaf. Nice little earner at £70 K a pop plus a salary of £150K, plus moving costs, other allownaces and a car allowance. Nice one ACPO. The thing is this could be done by a chief superintendent or superintendent. Quite why the Met has to have so many variations of the commissioner rank (Deputy, assistant, deputy assistant ) as well as the unique rank of Commander is beyond me. The money alone on salaries and pension payments for these superfluous and overpaid people is ridiculous.
- Ranter, Maidstone, UK, 29/10/2009 11:56
Report abuse
Well he'll know what action to take if a cow gets loose or a cat gets stuck in a tree then.
- Squiz, Islington, 29/10/2009 10:58
Report abuse
