Metropolitan Police

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), commonly known as the Metropolitan Police, Met Police, or the "Met", is the territorial police force for Greater London. It is one of the oldest and most important police forces in the world. The Met has special duties across the United Kingdom, such as dealing with counter-terrorism throughout the UK and protecting important people like the monarch, royal family, and governmental officials.

The area the Met covers is called the Metropolitan Police District and includes all 32 London boroughs, but not the City of London, which has its own police force, the City of London Police. Because it serves the capital city, the Met has many big tasks. It protects important places such as 164 foreign embassies and High Commissions, keeps order at London City and Heathrow airports, guards the Palace of Westminster, and manages thousands of protests and big events every year.

With the most police officers of any force in the United Kingdom, the Met is the largest police service in the country. It is led by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, who reports to the mayor of London and works with groups like the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime and the Home Office. The first commissioners were Sir Charles Rowan and Sir Richard Mayne, and today the role is held by Sir Mark Rowley.

History

Main article: History of the Metropolitan Police

The Metropolitan Police Service began in 1829 by Sir Robert Peel. On September 29, 1829, the first police officers started walking the streets of London. In 1839, new rules helped unite all police work in London under one group. This included the Thames River Police and the Bow Street Runners.

Governance

Since January 2012, the Mayor of London has overseen the Metropolitan Police through the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC). The mayor can choose someone to represent them in this role. As of November 2024, this position is held by the deputy mayor for policing and crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz. The work of MOPAC is reviewed by the Police and Crime Committee of the London Assembly.

Before 2000, the Metropolitan Police reported to the Home Secretary. The Metropolitan Police Office (MPO), located at Scotland Yard, was part of the Home Office and handled daily operations. It was led by a civilian secretary and a receiver, who managed the force's finances.

Police area and other forces

The Metropolitan Police District is the area managed by the Metropolitan Police Service. It used to be split into 32 smaller parts, but since 2017, it has been grouped into 12 larger parts to save money. The City of London Police handles policing in the City of London, which is separate from the rest of London.

Other police forces also work in the area. The Ministry of Defence Police looks after Ministry of Defence property across the UK. The British Transport Police takes care of the rail network, including London's London Underground, London Trams, London Cable Car, and the Docklands Light Railway. Some parks in London are patrolled by different police units, such as the Royal Parks Operational Command Unit and smaller groups like the Kew Constabulary.

Organisation and structure

Main article: Organisation and structure of the Metropolitan Police Service

The Metropolitan Police Service is split into several parts to help keep London safe. These include Frontline Policing for everyday police work, Met Operations for planning and support, and Specialist Operations for special jobs. Other parts like Professionalism and Shared Support Services help with training and support. Each part is led by an assistant commissioner or a director of police staff.

Ranks

The Metropolitan Police Service uses standard British police ranks up to chief superintendent. There are also five special ranks above this level: commander, deputy assistant commissioner, assistant commissioner, deputy commissioner, and commissioner. Officers in these ranks help lead the police.

Officers wear name badges with their rank and last name. This rule started in 2003. Every officer has a special number for easy identification. The police also have volunteer groups, such as the Volunteer Police Cadet and the Metropolitan Special Constabulary, each with their own rank systems.

Arms

The Metropolitan Police Service, often called the "Met", helps keep London safe. It protects important people like the monarch and government officials. The Met is also known as "Scotland Yard", named after the place where its first office was a long time ago. The Met works to stop terrorism across the United Kingdom.

Badge A roundel azure, thereon the Royal Cypher of His Majesty King Charles the Third argent within a circlet azure fimbriated and inscribed with words 'Metropolitan Police' in letters argent, the whole upon a star of eight major and fifty-six lesser points argent, ensigned by the Royal Crown proper.

Police officers

The Metropolitan Police Service has two types of officers. There are full-time, paid officers called 'regulars'. There are also part-time, voluntary officers from the Metropolitan Special Constabulary. Both types have the same powers. They wear the same uniform and carry the same equipment. In the UK, "regulars" are not regular employees. They are Crown servants and holders of the office of constable.

Over the years, the number of officers has changed. In 1852, there were 5,625 officers. By 2025, there were 33,201 regular officers and 1,127 special constables.

Staff and PCSOs

The Metropolitan Police has people who help with important tasks but are not police officers. When the Met started in 1829, there were only a few staff members. Now there are many more. Today, there are special officers called police community support officers, or PCSOs, and staff in different roles. There are many staff members who work in different jobs.

Resources

The Metropolitan Police has many vehicles, about 5,200, for different jobs. These include cars for officers, motorcycles for fast response, and vans for carrying officers and people they need to take somewhere. They also have special vehicles for checking road accidents and handling emergencies with chemicals or radiation.

The Met has special teams for different kinds of work. These teams help protect important people, manage airports, investigate robberies, and keep public events safe. They also have police dogs that help find missing people or drugs, and officers who ride horses for keeping order at big events.

Statistics

Since 2015, the Metropolitan Police Service has shared monthly reports on how they handle offenders. These reports show different ways police deal with people who break the law, like giving warnings or making arrests.

In 2024, a report said the Met needed to do better in some areas. It was rated as needing improvement in several areas.

Controversies

See also: History of the Metropolitan Police, Institutional racism in the Metropolitan Police, and Institutional sexism in the Metropolitan Police

The Metropolitan Police has had many difficult moments over the years. Since the 1970s, many of these moments have been about unfair treatment and mistakes in solving crimes.

One well-known case was the investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993. Many people felt this case was not handled well. In 2009, during protests in London, some officers were accused of using too much force. In 2023, a report showed that some officers used bad language and treated people unfairly, especially women and people from different backgrounds. These events have led to many talks about how the police can do better.