Smart uniform will be a key part of the Met’s plans to bolster public confidence in its performance, Scotland Yard’s incoming Deputy Commissioner has revealed as she vowed to try to revive the force’s reputation.
Dame Lynne Owens said “standards matter in my view as they link directly to how the public see us” as she posted a picture online of her new shiny black shoes and hair nets.
She added that “I honestly believe” that there is a connection between uniform standards and the ability of officers to deliver an effective service to the public.
Dame Lynne, the former director general of the National Crime Agency who was appointed last week as the interim deputy to the new Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, emphasised that the pair had a “long list” of other objectives.
She said these included “other basics” such as “responding well, investigating thoroughly, supporting victims” and addressing problems that make officers’ lives difficult.
But she made clear that officers will also be expected to be smartly turned out and that uniform standards will be central to turning the force around in the wake of a succession of scandals and criticisms of its performance by the police inspectorate.
“Being clear on the uniform standard & sticking to it should be simple,” she tweeted.
She also praised an officer who declared that he has “a passion for uniform standards. Shirts and trousers ironed boots polished, clean shaven and beat helmet”, telling him: “That’s great to hear. Well done you”.
She suggested, however, that some female officers’ hair might be a concern by telling another Twitter user that “there is inconsistency (that’s my kindest word) in how female officers wear their hair. None of us should walk on by. Others can make it neat without a net - not me!”
The new Met focus on uniform mirrors the approach adopted by Greater Manchester’s Chief Constable Stephen Watson, who has told officers to shave off their designer stubble and polish their boots as part of a “back to basics” regime credited with helping to improve his force’s performance.
Some Twitter users questioned Dame Lynne’s stance with one saying that he hoped her “focus is concentrated on an effective police service to the public rather than uniform standards.” She replied that “I honestly believe the two are connected”, adding separately that although uniform was not a “standalone issue” and that there was other things “to look at” it was possible to “do both at the same time.”
Dame Lynne’s appointment as Deputy Commissioner, which is initially on an interim basis, is one of several changes in the Met’s top team made in preparation for the arrival of Sir Mark Rowley as the new Commissioner next month.
The current Deputy Commissioner, Sir Stephen House, who has been leading the force since Dame Cressida Dick’s departure, will be moving next month to work at the National Police Chiefs’ Council.
So too will Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave, who made it to the final two with Sir Mark Rowley in the race to replace Dame Cressida, while another Assistant Commissioner, Helen Ball, is retiring.
Sir Mark has said that he is “grateful to be given the opportunity to build a fresh leadership team to take the Met forward” but has been given a fresh indication of the challenges he faces with fresh developments over in two previous controversies that have affected his force.
