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MPA appoints new Deputy Assistant Commissioner (National Co-ordinator of Terrorist Investigations) Metropolitan Police Services

65/07
10 December 2007

The Metropolitan Police Authority today appointed commander John McDowall to become the Metropolitan Police Service's new Deputy Assistant Commissioner with specific duties as National Co-ordinator of Terrorist Investigations (NCTI).

Commander McDowall, currently deputy to the National Coordinator of Terrorist Investigations, the post to which he is now appointed, will co-ordinate terrorist investigations across the United Kingdom. He will also lead the MPS's Counter Terrorism Command (CTC), SO15.

The interviews were conducted by a panel of five MPA members, with Sir Ian Blair, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, acting as police adviser. Catherine Crawford, MPA Chief Executive, was also in attendance.

MPA Chair Len Duvall, who led the interview panel, said:

"This is one of the highest profile and most challenging roles in policing today and we were seeking an officer with significant experience combined with an innovative approach, people and communications skills, as well as a genuine commitment to playing a lead role in providing the UK with an effective counter terrorism command.

"The panel was impressed by the calibre of all the candidates interviewed. However, John McDowall impressed us with his display of operational leadership and the knowledge he brings to this vital position to identify and prevent terrorist, extremist or subversive activities, and communicate what we are doing effectively to our many diverse communities."

MPS Commissioner Sir Ian Blair described the role as "hugely challenging":

"The enduring threat from international terrorism makes this one of the most demanding posts in UK policing and I'm confident the police authority has chosen the right individual for this role. Londoners can be reassured that as the current Counter Terrorism Commander John McDowall has the hands-on knowledge and experience necessary to meet the complex demands of managing major terrorist investigations in the capital."

John McDowall - biography

John McDowall was born in Epsom, Surrey, in 1957. He joined the Metropolitan Police Service in 1980, and first joined the Criminal Investigation Department as a Detective Constable in 1984.

His service has included a variety of locations in uniform and plain-clothes, including Twickenham; Bow Street; West End Central; Brixton; Fulham; Carter Street (later Walworth); 4 Area Crime OCU, and SO11.

In 1996, he was appointed to lead the SE Area Crime Squad, where he worked until 1997 when he became Staff Officer to the Assistant Commissioner Specialist Operations. In 1998, he was promoted to the role of OCU commander SO10/11, the Criminal Intelligence Branch.

He is a graduate of the Universities of Manchester and London, as well as the 2002 Strategic Command Course, where he also completed the Cambridge Diploma in Criminology. He was appointed Commander in the Metropolitan Police Service in November 2002, and had responsibility for Covert Policing.

He lives with his family in West London. In his spare time he enjoys travel, and sport of as many kinds as his age allows. He skis as often as he can, and supports an MPS charity established to help disabled police officers enjoy the sport. He is also a Vice-Patron of the National Missing Persons Helpline.

Commander McDowall was appointed to the post of Deputy to the National Coordinator of Terrorist Investigations in January 2005. Since that time he has led investigations in this most challenging arena of police.

Notes to editors

1. Deputy Assistant Commissioner - National Co-ordinator of Terrorist Investigations: job description.
   
   The role is under development and part of the new postholder's responsibilities will be to move forward the national arrangements. He will be a Deputy Assistant Commissioner within the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), and may be directed or required by the Commissioner to undertake a different role or other duties at some point during his service.
2. The appointment to Deputy Assistant Commissioner is for a five year fixed term period at an annual starting salary of £125,667 (pay award pending) plus benefits.
3. The closing date for receipt of applications was Friday 2 November. Shortlisting took place on 16 November 2007, with an assessment process on 19 and 20 November for the shortlisted candidates. Interviews were held on 10 December 2007.

Further media information

For further information, please contact the MPA press office