Mike Bowron is set to be appointed as the City of London Police’s new Commissioner. His candidature was approved at yesterday’s Court of Common Council and is now subject to Royal Assent.

The decision means that Commissioner Bowron will be heading up the country’s lead force in economic crime. He will be overseeing the Force’s specialist crime investigations many of which have national significance.

Mr Bowron joined the City of London Police as Assistant Commissioner and Deputy to the Commissioner in September 2002. He has been Temporary Commissioner since the retirement of James Hart in June 2006.

The City of London is the police authority for the Square Mile. The Chairman of the City’s Police Committee, Keith Knowles, welcomed today’s decision:

“ We are delighted with this new appointment and the qualities which Mike brings to the office of Commissioner, and together with the City community, Members of the Police Committee look forward to working with him in maintaining, and building on not only the Square Mile's reputation as a safe place in which to live and do business, but also our relationship with other Police Forces both in and outside London."

Commissioner Bowron is responsible for all policing matters in the City of London. The force concentrates on four key priorities: economic crime, anti-terrorism, public order and community policing.

Appointed the City’s Assistant Commissioner in 2002, Mike Bowron started his police service in Sussex, prior to which he spent a time working in the City within the Lloyds Insurance market. His police career has included a period on secondment to the Metropolitan Police, and with Kent Constabulary where he spent six months as British Government Police Adviser to the British Embassy in Jakarta where he was responsible for reviewing policing in Indonesia. He has played an active part in the work of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and is currently the lead officer for ACPO in respect of Economic Crime and Business Continuity.

Note

Under the City of London Police Act 1839, the appointment of Commissioner is subject to Royal Assent, which is normally signified by the Home Secretary, and the new Commissioner must then take an Oath before the Lord Chief Justice. The date on which Mr. Bowron assumes office will be determined once those matters have been dealt with.