Tim Godwin - Metropolitan Police

Metropolitan Police

He was appointed Commander in the Metropolitan Police in November 1999 and served as Commander (Crime) for South London, South East Territorial Commander, and then Commander Crime for Territorial Policing. He was promoted to Deputy Assistant Commissioner in Territorial Policing in 2001, then to Assistant Commissioner a year later, making him responsible for everyday policing. During his time in Territorial Policing, he introduced a revitalised forensic strategy, instigated and led the Safer Streets Initiative (which saw robbery reduce by 30 per cent in three years), and through Operation Sapphire he oversaw a complete overhaul of the Metropolitan Police's approach to the investigation of serious sexual assault. This included the introduction of a number of "havens" in London, in partnership with the National Health Service, where rape victims can receive immediate medical and psychological support in a non-police environment. Godwin led the National Reassurance Policing Programme with Denis O'Connor. He was also responsible for the implementation of the Safer Neighbourhoods Programme, delivering dedicated teams of officers to wards throughout London.

He is the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) lead on Criminal Justice, tasked with reducing bureaucracy in the preparation of cases and improving integration and working practices with the Crown Prosecution Service, and also the ACPO lead on Mobile Phone Crime, a role he first performed as Assistant Commissioner. He chairs the London Criminal Justice Board.

Following the promotion of Sir Paul Stephenson to Commissioner, Godwin served as Acting Deputy Commissioner from January 2009 until he was sworn in on 16 July 2009. He then spent a brief period as Britain's most senior police officer as Acting Commissioner from July 2011 until the post was permanently filled by Bernard Hogan-Howe, a former Chief Constable of Merseyside Police in September 2011.