A SENIOR Metropolitan Police officer of Indian origin has been promoted to be the UK’s counter-terrorism chief.
Neil Basu, 49, currently a deputy assistant commissioner at the Met Police, will be the new assistant commissioner for specialist operations, according to a statement on Monday (5).
He is the first officer of Asian descent to be appointed to the role and will take charge of his new post on March 21, replacing Mark Rowley.
Met police commissioner Cressida Dick said: “I am delighted that Neil is joining our senior team. He takes on a job of enormous importance and responsibility leading counter terrorism policing nationally and in London and is a worthy successor to Mark Rowley.
“Neil has the skills, experience and character we need. He has already undertaken some of the toughest jobs in policing, not least in the last year as senior national coordinator countering terrorism and has proven how good his judgment and resilience is.
“He is a leader of courage, compassion and integrity and I know he will do a great job.”
Basu said: “It is both a challenge and a duty that I accept with humility and a sense of great purpose.”
He is an experienced police officer having served as Deputy Assistant Commissioner since 2015, when he was the lead on protection and security, including Royalty and Specialist Protection, Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Aviation Policing and Protective Security Operations.
Basu took up his current role as senior national coordinator for counter terrorism in October 2016.
He was previously a detective superintendent in areas such as anti-corruption and homicide for Trident within the Serious and Organised Crime Command.
He has also held the posts of area commander for South East London and head of armed policing within the Met.
Home secretary Amber Rudd welcomed the appointment and said: “I look forward to working with Neil as we make sure we have a broad and comprehensive response to terrorism which keeps pace with, and ultimately reduces, the threat."
London mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: “Neil Basu has my utmost support as he takes on one of the toughest jobs in policing.”
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