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About Us
Met police principles, values and more.
Founded by Sir Robert Peel in 1829, the Metropolitan Police Service is one of the oldest police services in the world. From the beginning, the purpose of the Met has been to serve and protect the people of London by providing a professional police service. Despite the challenges we have faced recently, this remains our purpose.
Today, the Met is made up of more than 46,000 officers and staff, plus thousands of volunteers. With a budget of £4 billion it is the UK’s largest police force. The territory served covers 620 square miles and is home to over 9 million people. The Met is seen as a world leader in policing. The ‘Scotland Yard’ brand is known around the world as a symbol of investigation and policing.
Policing our unique city
London is unique. As the largest city in Western Europe, it is home to ‘the world under one roof’. Its ever-changing population is over 9 million and it is one of the most diverse (culturally, ethnically and linguistically) cities in the world. The complexities of policing a city on this scale are huge. A seat of Parliamentary, Royal and Diplomatic power, London is also a focal point for protest and is a high-profile target for terrorist attack as well as being subject to the impact of wider national and international events.
There are over 300 languages spoken in London, and around 40% of the population are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. These numbers are predicted to grow further as the city expands and develops.
At end April 2024*, the Met has almost 34,000 of 140,000 police officers in England and Wales, almost 25% of all police officers, and polices over 15% of the England & Wales population across 32 Boroughs. Further, we have over 1,380 police community support officers, almost 1,300 Met Special Constables and over 10,800 support staff. *Combined Full Time Equivalent.
Taken together, this creates a unique policing environment. Everyone joining the Met needs the ability to deliver outstanding policing to Londoners and must share our commitment to beating and preventing crime, and protecting our citizens, streets and communities.
The Met is responsible for maintaining the peace and is accountable in law for the exercise of policing powers, and to the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) for the delivery of efficient and effective policing, management of resources and expenditure. At all times the Commissioner and his officers remain operationally independent, in the service of the public.
Our structure
We operate through operational functions, each headed by an Assistant Commissioner:
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Frontline Policing leads local policing and specialist investigation across London, responsible for the public facing aspects of ‘more trust and less crime’. Leads the delivery of precise community crime-fighting and London’s strongest ever neighbourhood policing.
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Met Operations and Performance leads the delivery of services that enhance operational effectiveness across the whole Met, using data and intelligence from across the organisation to drive improved outcomes. Leads the pan-Met specialist operational capabilities required to support effective policing across London. This portfolio includes Forensic Services.
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Trust and Legitimacy leads on the cultural portfolio; diversity and Inclusion; approach to community engagement.
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Professionalism leads the Met on tackling misconduct and corruption within the organisation and setting, embedding and enforcing professional standards. Holds the organisation to account for creating and maintaining a culture based on Met values, standards and behaviours.
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Specialist Operations continues to deliver counter terrorism and protective services (both in London and nationally).
Staff Chiefs report into the Deputy Commissioner and lead People & Resources; Digital, Data & Technology (DDAT); Communications & Engagement and Strategy & Transformation.
Met Management Board, DACs , Directors, Commanders
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Our Principles
Your application to become a senior leader in the Met will be assessed against MPS Principles and Values and the requirements of the Deputy Director for Project Delivery role. Level 3 of the Competency and Values Framework is also relevant to all senior leaders within the MPS.
Our principles guide how we should make decisions to support us in delivering our mission of More Trust, Less Crime and High standards.
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Communities-first: We will prioritise the Londoners we serve in everything we do. We will listen to them and work with them to solve problems.
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Frontline-focused: We will prioritise officers and staff who work directly with the public, so they have what they need to provide the best service to Londoners.
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Inclusive: We will be anti-discriminatory. We will seek to understand diverse perspectives and treat people according to their needs. We will create a workplace where everyone can thrive and is accessible and inclusive to all.
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Collaborative: We recognise policing in London is at its best when the diverse communities we serve help us shape our response and the impact we have. We will take every opportunity to work with partners and our colleagues; to listen, reflect, learn and act.
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Precise: We will make data and insight driven decisions informed by the best available evidence so we focus our efforts on achieving results with the greatest benefit to the public.
Our Values
Everything we do is underpinned by our values. These define how we behave and serve.
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Integrity: I will always try to do the right thing. I will be fair and consistent in everything I do, being mindful of the impact of my actions. I will actively challenge those whose behaviour falls below public and the Met's expectations.
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Courage: I will show courage by making tough decisions when needed. I will always challenge racist, homophobic, misogynistic and any other discriminatory and inappropriate behaviour. I will show humility.
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Accountable: I will strive to build trust with the public, colleagues, and partners, by being open, honest and taking ownership for what I have done and why. I will admit when I make mistakes, learn from them and improve.
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Respect: I will respect the rights of everyone I meet. I will listen to individual perspectives and needs. I will try my best to understand a diverse range of views and achieve the best possible outcomes for the public.
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Empathy: I will care about communities and colleagues and try to understand their perspectives and experiences, at all times. I will be kind and listen and understand without judgement. I will take time to clarify and explain my decisions.