Historic appointment: New City of London Police Commissioner

Angela McLaren is set to be appointed as the new City of London Police Commissioner, following a meeting of the Court of Common Council at Guildhall.

With diversity and inclusion at its heart, Angela McLaren’s recruitment was overseen by the City Corporation’s Police Authority Board, which makes sure that the force runs an effective and efficient service, ensuring value for money in the way that the force is run, and setting policing priorities that take into account the views of the local community.

The force is unique in policing, because of its dual role as the local police for the Square Mile and the National Lead Force for fraud.

It plays a key role in anti-terrorism and community policing, carrying out its work in collaboration with the Home Office, law enforcement agencies, the private sector, and the other 42 Home Office forces.

Since December 2020, Angela McLaren has served as Assistant Commissioner for Economic and Cybercrime, a recently-created position in recognition of the force’s increasing national responsibilities, providing strategic leadership, and driving the national policing strategy on these growing threats.

Angela, who started her career in 1996, has held previous executive roles in Police Scotland, including the lead for Organised Crime, Counter Terrorism, and Intelligence.

Angela McLaren will replace Commissioner Ian Dyson, who announced his planned retirement after 38 years of distinguished service in policing, with six of them as Commissioner.

Starting his career as a Police Constable in Wimbledon in 1983, he went on to serve in Clapham, Notting Hill, and Kensington & Chelsea in frontline and operational roles, developing strong experience in the crime and drugs squads, anti-vice and strategic planning, as well as in the policing of large public events.

Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Police Authority Board, James Thomson, said:

“Angela’s robust professional policing credentials, evidence of strong leadership, and a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion were among the many factors that singled her out from a strong field of candidates.

“She is a hugely experienced officer with a strong background in community policing, tackling national modern-day threats, and leading on strategy. Angela possesses a clear vision and an excellent understanding of what is required in leading the force, both, here in the Square Mile, and as National Lead for economic and cybercrime.

“In welcoming Angela into her new position, my colleagues and I must also pay tribute to Ian Dyson for his outstanding and dedicated work as City of London Police Commissioner over the last six years, and for nearly 40 years of distinguished service as a police officer.”