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See other news storiesNew Met Police Deputy Commissioner
16 July 2009
Tim Godwin has been appointed the new Metropolitan Police Service Deputy Commissioner.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said, 'I am delighted to announce the appointment of Tim Godwin as the new Deputy Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police Service.
'He has had an exceptional career with Sussex Police and the Met, and has been instrumental in delivering Safer Neighbourhoods across the Capital. He is also driving major reforms of the criminal justice system in London and more widely. I know that he will bring a really vigorous commitment to the vital responsibilities of his new role.'
Statement from the London Mayor and chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority
Boris Johnson said, 'I congratulate Tim Godwin on his well deserved appointment. Having done an outstanding job as Acting Deputy Commissioner over the past months, today’s announcement is a recognition of his undoubted abilities.
'A substantial part of Tim’s career has been spent policing London, the largest and certainly the most complex policing environment in the UK, and he has an outstanding record leading the Met’s Territorial Policing, which bears responsibility for day-to-day policing of the capital’s communities.
'This can only be of benefit in this pivotal role within the Met’s senior management team and we look forward to working with Tim to achieve our shared goal of a safer London.'
Statement from the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service
Sir Paul Stephenson said,'Tim Godwin is an outstanding police officer who has contributed much to policing nationally and in particular, to the Metropolitan Police Service.
'He has overseen the introduction of a number of key areas of delivery including the roll-out of the Safer Neighbourhoods local policing teams and enhancements within the criminal justice system.
'It was always going to be a difficult choice from a field of strong and able candidates. I am very pleased that Tim will be my Deputy and look forward to working closely together over the coming years.'
Tim Godwin’s Biography:
Tim Godwin’s appointment follows Sir Paul Stephenson’s promotion to Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service.
Educated at Haywards Heath Grammar School, Warsash College of Nautical Studies, then later at University of Portsmouth (BA Hons in Public Sector Police Studies) and Cambridge University (Diploma in Applied Criminology).
Completing secondary education at 16, Tim left school and joined the Merchant Navy where he spent six years, achieving the rank of second mate, the navigating officer of the ship. He joined Sussex Police in 1981, where he performed a variety of operational roles. As a Chief Superintendent, he attended the Strategic Command Course at the Police Staff College, Bramshill, in 1999.
He joined the Metropolitan Police Service in November 1999 as Commander (Crime) for South London and went on to be South East Territorial Commander and then Commander (Crime) for Territorial Policing. He was promoted to Deputy Assistant Commissioner - Territorial Policing in 2001, then to Assistant Commissioner - Territorial Policing a year later.
During his time in Territorial Policing he introduced a revitalised forensic strategy, instigated and led the Safer Streets initiative, which saw robbery reduce by 30% over a three year period. Through Operation Sapphire he oversaw the introduction of a number of 'Havens' in London where victims of serious sexual assault can receive immediate medical and psychological support.
He leads for Association of Chief Police Officers (new window) on mobile phone crime which has included the development of the blocking of stolen mobile phones in partnership with industry. He jointly led with Denis O'Connor on the National Reassurance Policing Programme which included the roll out of neighbourhood policing in England and Wales and the Safer Neighbourhoods programme in London. He is currently responsible for criminal justice on behalf of ACPO and is Chair of the London Criminal Justice Board (LCJB). The LCJB under his leadership has reduced bureaucracy in relation to case files; introduced further integration with the Crown Prosecution Service; the introduction of virtual courts; and has recently implemented the offender management system.
He was appointed temporary MPS Deputy Commissioner in December 2008 and became the permanent appointee in July 2009.
He received the Royal Humane Society Testimonial in 1991 for rescuing a man from a high bridge over a railway line, was awarded the runner up prize for equal opportunities achievement in the police service by the Home Secretary in 1996, and in 1998 received the national prize for public management leadership by the Office for Public Management.
Tim was awarded the OBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List in 2003 and the Queens Policing Medal (QPM) in the Queens New Year's Honours in 2009.
Tim is keen rugby fan, having played in younger years and attends matches as and when time permits. He is married and has a teenage daughter.
For more information, call the Home Office press office on 020 7035 3535.
