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Big challenges await Met police chief Big challenges await Met police chief
(about 12 hours later)
Sir Hugh Orde and Sir Paul Stephenson are the final two candidates The commissioner has a national responsibility for counter terrorism
The final interviews for the job of Metropolitan Police commissioner have taken place. Candidates Acting Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson and Sir Hugh Orde, Chief Constable for Northern Ireland, are expected to hear the outcome this week. Sir Paul Stephenson is to succeed Sir Ian Blair as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.
BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw looks at the issues facing London's new top police officer.BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw looks at the issues facing London's new top police officer.
When Sir John Stevens took over as Metropolitan Police commissioner in February 2000, he inherited a force that was, in his own words, in "crisis".When Sir John Stevens took over as Metropolitan Police commissioner in February 2000, he inherited a force that was, in his own words, in "crisis".
At that time, the Met was reeling from the findings of the MacPherson inquiry into the Stephen Lawrence case. The report had labelled the Met "institutionally racist" and exposed a catalogue of failings in its procedures and detective work.At that time, the Met was reeling from the findings of the MacPherson inquiry into the Stephen Lawrence case. The report had labelled the Met "institutionally racist" and exposed a catalogue of failings in its procedures and detective work.
The perception that Sir Ian Blair was politically partial sowed discontent and undermined his authority The perception that Sir Ian Blair was politically partial sowed discontent and undermined his authority class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7854843.stm">Stephenson to be new Met chief
Over the next five years, Sir John, now Lord Stevens, provided the Met with the strong leadership it needed, restoring morale among its 49,000 officers and staff, and helping rebuild the reputation of the force.Over the next five years, Sir John, now Lord Stevens, provided the Met with the strong leadership it needed, restoring morale among its 49,000 officers and staff, and helping rebuild the reputation of the force.
It's the kind of leadership which will be expected from the new commissioner.It's the kind of leadership which will be expected from the new commissioner.
Although "crisis" is an adjective too far, the Met is a troubled organisation, having been battered by a series of events, some self-inflicted, which have left it desperately in need of stability, purpose - and above all unity.Although "crisis" is an adjective too far, the Met is a troubled organisation, having been battered by a series of events, some self-inflicted, which have left it desperately in need of stability, purpose - and above all unity.
Racism rowRacism row
Nothing has damaged the Met more than a sense that its top management team isn't united.Nothing has damaged the Met more than a sense that its top management team isn't united.
A vivid illustration of this came in August 2008 when one of the Met's most senior officers at the time, Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, publicly accused the then commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, of racism.A vivid illustration of this came in August 2008 when one of the Met's most senior officers at the time, Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, publicly accused the then commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, of racism.
Although Mr Ghaffur later withdrew the allegation and left the Met, as did Sir Ian, the episode served to highlight the tensions which can exist within the senior ranks of this most scrutinised of police forces.Although Mr Ghaffur later withdrew the allegation and left the Met, as did Sir Ian, the episode served to highlight the tensions which can exist within the senior ranks of this most scrutinised of police forces.
Former Met chief Sir John Stevens said the force was "in crisis" in 2000 Sir Paul has been acting commissioner since Sir Ian Blair's departure
The new commissioner will have to keep a firm grip on those around him, to ensure that egos and ambitions are kept in check for the good of the force. Among all the skills he needs for the job, people management is arguably the most important.The new commissioner will have to keep a firm grip on those around him, to ensure that egos and ambitions are kept in check for the good of the force. Among all the skills he needs for the job, people management is arguably the most important.
Another of his key challenges is to nurture relations with the home secretary, Jacqui Smith, and the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, who chairs the police authority, without being seen to be too close to either of them.Another of his key challenges is to nurture relations with the home secretary, Jacqui Smith, and the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, who chairs the police authority, without being seen to be too close to either of them.
The perception that Sir Ian Blair was politically partial sowed discontent and undermined his authority.The perception that Sir Ian Blair was politically partial sowed discontent and undermined his authority.
Sir Ian presided over a period of sustained falls in crime in London, but his successor may find that hard to achieve.Sir Ian presided over a period of sustained falls in crime in London, but his successor may find that hard to achieve.
There are early indications that the economic downturn is leading to an increase in burglaries and robberies in many parts of England and Wales.There are early indications that the economic downturn is leading to an increase in burglaries and robberies in many parts of England and Wales.
Should the Met experience a similar crimewave, the commissioner will come under pressure for a response.Should the Met experience a similar crimewave, the commissioner will come under pressure for a response.
He'll also be expected to maintain the police's focus on youth violence, after 30 teenagers were killed in 2008 - the highest annual number the force has ever recorded.He'll also be expected to maintain the police's focus on youth violence, after 30 teenagers were killed in 2008 - the highest annual number the force has ever recorded.
In recent months, the Met's strategy to curb knife crime, involving high-profile stop-and-search patrols, appears to have had some effect. The question is: How long can it last?In recent months, the Met's strategy to curb knife crime, involving high-profile stop-and-search patrols, appears to have had some effect. The question is: How long can it last?
Security issuesSecurity issues
But the issue that shaped the commissionerships of Sir Ian Blair and Sir John Stevens was terrorism.But the issue that shaped the commissionerships of Sir Ian Blair and Sir John Stevens was terrorism.
Sir John first faced bombings in London by the Real IRA, and then the fallout of the 11 September attacks, including a number of serious plots.Sir John first faced bombings in London by the Real IRA, and then the fallout of the 11 September attacks, including a number of serious plots.
The Olympic Games in 2012... presents by far the biggest security challengeThe Olympic Games in 2012... presents by far the biggest security challenge
In July 2005, five months after Sir Ian took over, 52 people were killed in suicide bombings on London transport, four men attempted similar explosions, and an innocent man, Jean Charles de Menezes, was shot by police who mistook him for a terrorist.In July 2005, five months after Sir Ian took over, 52 people were killed in suicide bombings on London transport, four men attempted similar explosions, and an innocent man, Jean Charles de Menezes, was shot by police who mistook him for a terrorist.
The new commissioner, with national responsibility for counter-terrorism, faces a threat which is officially classed as "severe" - meaning that a future attack is highly likely.The new commissioner, with national responsibility for counter-terrorism, faces a threat which is officially classed as "severe" - meaning that a future attack is highly likely.
Although there are numerous potential targets in London, the Olympic Games in 2012, three-and-a-half years into his term, presents by far the biggest security challenge of them all.Although there are numerous potential targets in London, the Olympic Games in 2012, three-and-a-half years into his term, presents by far the biggest security challenge of them all.
If the Olympics pass off without incident, the commissioner will have gone a long way to securing his legacy.If the Olympics pass off without incident, the commissioner will have gone a long way to securing his legacy.
If not, questions will be asked. And they will be asked of the man who leads the biggest police force in the country.If not, questions will be asked. And they will be asked of the man who leads the biggest police force in the country.