First woman to lead ‘Britain’s FBI’ named Met Police deputy commissioner

The first woman to head Britain’s “FBI” is to return to front-line policing to help turn around Scotland Yard.

Dame Lynne Owens, the first female director general of the National Crime Agency (NCA), has been appointed deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police by Sir Mark Rowley, the incoming commissioner.

In a statement, she promised to “renew policing by consent with less crime, higher standards and more trust” after the force was placed in special measures for a series of misconduct and racism scandals, as well as a failure to investigate offences.

Dame Lynne stepped down from the NCA to undergo treatment for breast cancer last year but, after recovering, had been regarded as a frontrunner to lead the Met.

She told Policing TV that she had even drafted a CV and supporting statement, and felt she could make a “strong pitch” for the job, but decided not to do so, tweeting that her reasons were not health-related.

However, in the same interview, she also opened the door to a return: “I’ve got more to give, more to give in public service, more to give elsewhere. I definitely don’t see myself as done.”

She has now been persuaded to return by Sir Mark as his interim deputy to serve for six months while a recruitment process is run. “I can’t wait to get started,” she said.

“I am enormously pleased to have this opportunity to return to the Met to support Sir Mark in delivering his plan for London as well as its communities and its officers, staff and volunteers. His intent is undoubtedly the right one, requiring a team effort to renew policing by consent.”

Sir Mark hailed her as an “outstanding leader”, saying: “Lynne is exceptional. She is an outstanding leader, who brings immense operational expertise and experience driven by the value of public service.

“She is a dynamic chief officer who is prepared to confront challenges and is passionate about the relationship between police and communities. We are fortunate to have her join the team.”

‘A strong and formidable leader’

Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, said that Dame Lynne was the “right person” to support Sir Mark, adding: “[She] is a strong and formidable leader with decades of experience in law enforcement.

“Rebuilding public trust in policing, tackling neighbourhood crime and getting the basics right must be the top priorities for the Met’s leadership team.”

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said: “Her knowledge and insight outside the Met will be invaluable in the coming months as the Met focuses on change and improvement.”

Dame Lynne, who started her police career as bobby on the beat with the Met, served as director general of the NCA from 2016 to 2021, making her one of the most senior law enforcement chiefs in the UK at the time.

She was assistant commissioner of the Met between 2010 and 2012 before taking over as chief constable of Surrey Police, where she remained until 2015.