Rob joined the Metropolitan Police Service in 1990 as a Police Cadet before joining as Constable in April 1994. As a Constable, Sergeant and Inspector Rob undertook a number of roles which included road policing and the investigation of serious and fatal road collisions. Rob particular enjoyed uniform response and community policing roles in some of the most challenging London Boroughs. On promotion to Chief Inspector Rob was responsible for pan London command and control in the Force control room before moving to the Force Firearms Unit where he successfully passed his authorised firearms course. Rob was also recognised for innovation in community engagement in this role and was recognised for his work in respect of promoting diversity and inclusion in the Unit.
In 2011 Rob was promoted to Superintendent posted to Croydon Borough - responsible for uniform policing and partnership operations. Croydon has a population of 342,000 people - the second most populated in London, and if were compared to United Kingdom cities would be the 8th largest. This followed the London riots where Rob led the police response to rebuilding community cohesion. Rob was proud of the crime reduction and detection rate that was achieved whilst he led policing operations.
In 2014 Rob was promoted to Chief Superintendent - Head of Strategic Learning, Leadership and Talent. This role oversaw strategic direction of training, leadership, and people development policy for the MET. This included an overhaul of training delivery, a new leadership programme and an innovative approach to police promotion processes.
In 2016 Rob took over as OCU Commander for the Aviation Policing Command (SO18) part of the MET’s Specialist Operations Command and is responsible for the policing of London Heathrow and London City airports. Heathrow being the 5th busiest airport globally. This was both an unarmed and armed command and also oversaw specialist investigations targeting international organised criminality. Testing and exercising in response to terrorism and airport incidents also fell under Rob’s direction.
Rob was also proud that the command delivered the best crime detection rate in the Capital.
In 2018 appointed as OCU Commander for the MET’s Specialist Firearms Department which is responsible for the response to all firearms related incidents and high threat incidents in London.
Rob went onto lead recruitment for the MET and was responsible for delivering the unprecedented growth in Police Officer and Police Staff as part of the national uplift programme. This included achieving an unprecedented step change in recruitment of diverse groups to the force.
In May 2020 Rob became the BCU Commander for Southeast London covering the boroughs of Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley and was responsible for leading 1800 staff and led several high-profile critical incidents and led the BCU through the pandemic. This role included the command of uniform policing, complex partnerships, community safety and crime investigations.
Rob transferred to the City of London Police in May 2021 where he was responsible for HQ services leading on force strategic development where he led the team in producing the force strategy and governance procedures.
Rob’s final role in the City of London Police was Directorate Head responsible for all uniform policing operations and departments ranging from firearms, traffic, response, communities, mounted and public order. Rob has led the response to a number of innovative operations at the City of London particularly increasing safety of women and girls in the night time economy.
In 2014 Rob was awarded the MBE by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, for his work supporting families of Police Officers killed in the line of duty.
Rob continues to be an active Strategic Firearms Commander, CBRN Gold Commanders and Counter Terrorism Security Advisor and has recently been successful on the College of Policing Strategic Command Course.
Out of work Rob loves cycling and is looking forward to exploring the Cayman Islands.
Gary Looseley
10 Sep, 2024I would just like to wish Rob all the best on his appointment to Assistant Commissioner of the RCIPS. I worked with Rob when he was a young probationer in The Met (UK) and I have never met such a dedicated and focused officer in my 30yr Police Service. A great appointment for the RCIPS and for Rob, equally.