May 8, 2009: Home Secretary Names HMIC Chief

Following approval by the Queen, Chief Inspector Denis O’Connor has been appointed Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced today.

The preferred candidate in the appointment of the Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary is considered by the Home Affairs Select Committee. Mr O’Connor was identified following a rigorous selection process, validated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The post became vacant after the retirement of Sir Ronnie Flanagan last year.

Denis O’Connor has been an Inspector of Constabulary since 2004. He was appointed acting Chief Inspector on 1 December 2008. He began his police career as a constable with the Metropolitan Police Service in 1968, leaving after two years. He rejoined in 1974, as a graduate entrant and thereafter rose steadily through the ranks. In 1985, he was appointed as a superintendent in Surrey Police, before returning to the Metropolitan Police Service as a chief superintendent in 1988.

Within the Metropolitan Police he rose to the rank of commander. In 1993, he was appointed deputy chief constable in Kent Police, a post he held until 1997, when he returned to the Metropolitan Police as an assistant commissioner.

In 2000 he was appointed Chief Constable of Surrey Police, a post he held until he was appointed Inspector of Constabulary. He was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in 1996 and more recently, in 2001, he received the CBE.