"It is flattering to be linked to the post of Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, but I have decided not to apply. "I have one of the best and one of the most challenging jobs in the police service as Chief Constable of the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA). The NPIA is less than two years old but in that time it has already made a significant contribution in supporting the police service to make our communities safer. "We have helped police forces ensure that every area in England and Wales now has its own Neighbourhood Policing team. The Agency has also successfully overseen the roll-out of major programmes, including mobile information to police forces and the Airwave national radio system across the London Underground. In the midst of these changes major national operations like the Police National Computer and the fingerprint database (Ident1) have continued to perform and improve. Without these core services policing could not be as effective as it is in reducing crime. "The police service is facing an ambitious agenda for change as highlighted by the policing Green Paper, the Flanagan Review and a number of other key national reports. The NPIA will be critical to the delivery of this change, and it is important that there is no disruption in the leadership of the Agency. "I have immense admiration for the wide variety of work that the Metropolitan Police Service delivers every day in support of the people it serves and protects. I wish the next Commissioner well and I know we will continue to work closely to ensure the Metropolitan Police Service is able to meet the challenges ahead." Notes to Editors: About NPIA NPIA works for the police service and is governed by a tripartite board comprising ACPO, APA, Home Office and independent members. The ACPO President is a member of the NPIA Board.
NPIA is a single national organisation created to support effective policing. It provides expertise in areas as diverse as information and communications technology, support to information and intelligence sharing, core police processes, managing change and recruiting, developing and deploying people.
