Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe to retire as Metropolitan Police commissioner
Britain's most senior police officer is to retire after five years in the post, Scotland Yard said today.
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) said its commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, who oversees 32,000 police offers, will stay in his post until February next year to allow for a successor to be appointed.
During his time in office, Hogan-Howe oversaw the London 2012 Olympics and dealt with the aftermath of the Paris attacks, in which the number of armed officers patrolling the streets of the capital was increased. He was also in office for the 2013 murder of Lee Rigby.
Earlier this year he was criticised over comments he made to The Times in which he suggested banks should stop refunding victims of online fraud.
"The system is not incentivising you to protect yourself. If someone said to you: 'If you've not updated your software I will give you half back', you would do it," he said.
However, today Scotland Yard paid tribute to him, saying he had pushed up public confidence in the capital's policing, as well as increasing the number of officers from ethnic minorities to its "highest level ever" and making more than £600m of savings.
Today he said it had been a "great privilege" to be the Met's commissioner.
"I am so proud of the remarkable men and women who serve Londoners as police officers and staff and make this such a safe place for people to live, work or visit," he said.
"I came into this job determined to fight crime and make the MPS the best, most professional police service. I wish my successor well as they take on this amazing responsibility."
Here he is towards the beginning of his time in office, discussing the future of policing in the capital…