History of the Metropolitan Police Service History of the Metropolitan Police Service The history of the Metropolitan Police Service is long and complex, with many different events taking place between its inception in 1829 to the present day. Before the passing of the Metropolitan Police Act 1829, law enforcement among the general population in England was carried out by unpaid parish constables who were elected, and later appointed by the local justice of the peace. In certain circumstances, such as serious public disorder, the army would intervene to support the local authorities; yeomanry were extensively used for this purpose before police forces developed. Because this system
Organisation and structure of the Metropolitan Police Service Organisation and structure of the Metropolitan Police Service The Metropolitan Police Service of Greater London is organised into four main directorates, each with differing responsibilities. These are Frontline Policing (formally Territorial Policing), Met Operations (formerly Specialist Crime & Operations), Specialist Operations and six civilian staffed support departments under the umbrella of Met Headquarters. Each is overseen by an Assistant Commissioner, or in the case of a support department a director of police staff which is the equivalent civilian grade. The Management Board, responsible for the strategic direction of the MPS is composed of the senior police leadership including the Commissioner,