The new London Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Mr John Stevens, set rebuilding police morale and confidence on the streets as his top priorities after his appointment yesterday.
As expected, the Home Secretary, Mr Jack Straw, named Mr Stevens (56) as the man tasked to reshape and rebuild the Met in the post-Macpherson era, following the trauma of the Stephen Lawrence affair which resulted in charges that the force was institutionally racist.
Mr Stevens, currently conducting a fresh inquiry into the murder of the Northern Ireland solicitor, Mr Pat Finucane, will formally succeed Sir Paul Condon on January 1st.
Announcing his appointment Mr Straw said: "John's challenge will be to continue the fight against crime and disorder, and as part of that to help secure harmony among all sections of the community in London."
Mr Stevens was appointed a deputy commissioner of the Met in May 1998 and was responsible for leading the major anti-corruption drive established by Sir Paul. He will have the leadership of more than 44,000 police and civil staff, and will also have to work alongside a new London Mayor and the proposed new pan-London elected authority.
Appearing alongside Mr Straw, the new Commissioner said boosting morale in the ranks would be a major task. His appointment was immediately welcomed by the Police Federation of England and Wales, representing rank and file officers. Mr Stevens joined the Met in 1963 and has also served as Deputy Chief Constable in Cambridgeshire and as Chief Constable of Northumbria.
Meanwhile, a chief constable who once acknowledged his own force to be "institutionally racist" said yesterday changes within the force would not happen overnight.
Mr David Wilmot, chief constable of Greater Manchester, was launching Operation Catalyst, the force's response to the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry. Pledging to do all in his power to end racism, Mr Wilmot said there were individuals in the force who would cause problems in the battle to end discrimination.