Metropolitan Police Force

Metropolitan Police area map

The Metropolitan Police Service employs 31,000 officers, 14,000 police staff, 414 traffic wardens and 4,000 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) as well as being supported by over 2,500 volunteer police officers in the Metropolitan Special Constabulary (MSC) and its Employer Supported Policing (ESP) programme.

The Metropolitan Police Services covers an area of 620 square miles and a population of 7.2 million.

The organisational structure of The Met

Territorial Policing: London’s local police
Most of the day-to-day policing of London is the responsibility of 33 borough operational command units (BOCUs).

Specialist Crime Directorate
In addition to policing London’s streets, the Met has various specialist units dedicated to reducing all aspects of serious and specialist crime.

Specialist Operations
The Met has various specialist units that work across the capital or which fulfill a national role.

They deal with tasks such as intelligence, security, protection of politicians, embassies and royalty, and the investigation of certain categories of serious crimes, including racial and violent crime and terrorism.
Central Operations
Central Operations consists of a number of specialist units that provide a broad range of policing functions. These units effectively provide an integrated, collaborative and community focussed service to London.

Administration and support
An organisation the size of the Metropolitan Police Service could not function without various management, administration and support functions.

Some functions, such as vehicle maintenance and aspects of information technology and telecommunications, have been contracted out to the private sector.

Other London police forces
The Met works in conjunction with neighbouring forces but has particularly close relationships with the other forces that police in London:

The British Transport Police, who are responsible for policing on the rail and tube systems;

The City of London Police, who cover the area within the boundaries of the Corporation of London;

In addition, The Met works in conjunction with the other emergency services:
The London Fire Brigade
The London Ambulance Service
The London Emergency Services Liaison Panel

If you are in the Metropolitan Region and would like to contribute to this site please contact: tim @ yourpoliceforce.com