Dame Lynne Owens, the Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, has announced her decision to retire from her position. Her departure marks the end of a notable career in British law enforcement, which included a prominent role leading the National Crime Agency before joining the Met.
Dame Lynne, who assumed the Deputy Commissioner role in May 2022, brought extensive experience to Scotland Yard. Prior to this, she served as the Director-General of the National Crime Agency (NCA) from 2016 to 2021, where she was responsible for tackling serious and organised crime both domestically and internationally. Her tenure at the NCA saw significant operations against drug trafficking, cybercrime, and child exploitation.
Her return to the Metropolitan Police as Deputy Commissioner saw her working alongside Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, focusing on efforts to reform the force and rebuild public trust. The Met has faced considerable challenges in recent years, including issues surrounding conduct, culture, and operational effectiveness, making the role of Deputy Commissioner particularly critical in driving forward necessary changes.
The announcement of her retirement comes at a sensitive time for the UK's largest police force, which is actively engaged in a comprehensive programme of reform. Her successor will be tasked with continuing this work, addressing the complex issues facing policing in London, and ensuring the force can effectively serve its diverse communities.
A process to identify and appoint a new Deputy Commissioner will now begin. This appointment is crucial for maintaining stability within the Met's leadership structure and for ensuring continuity in its strategic objectives and ongoing reform agenda. The Home Secretary, in conjunction with the Mayor of London, will play a key role in approving the next individual to hold this significant office.