Dame Lynne Owens, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, has announced her retirement, bringing to a close an illustrious policing career that has spanned over 35 years. Dame Lynne, widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and dedicated police officers of her generation, will step down in late May 2025.

Her policing journey began in 1989 as a constable in Catford, London, before she ascended through the ranks to take on several high-profile roles, including becoming the first female Chief Constable of Surrey Police and later serving as Director General of the National Crime Agency (NCA).

A Career Marked by Leadership and Dedication

Dame Lynne’s career has been marked by numerous milestones, accolades, and a steadfast commitment to public service. After rising through the ranks at Kent and Surrey Police, she became one of the youngest Deputy Chief Constables in the UK in 2008, receiving the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) for distinguished service the same year.

She made history again when she became Surrey Police’s first female Chief Constable in 2012, and in 2015, she was appointed Director General of the National Crime Agency by then Home Secretary Theresa May, becoming the most senior woman in British policing.

In 2021, Dame Lynne retired from the NCA due to health reasons but made a remarkable return to policing the following year as Deputy Commissioner of the Met, working alongside Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley during a critical period for the force.

Restoring Confidence in the Met

Dame Lynne’s leadership was instrumental in helping the Metropolitan Police emerge from a period of intense scrutiny and criticism. Under her guidance, the Met made significant progress in improving its services to Londoners, culminating in the force being removed from “Engage” status — informally known as “special measures” — by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) in January 2025.

Reflecting on her time at the Met, Dame Lynne said, “It has been an honour and privilege to return to the Met to support Sir Mark in making the changes that were needed, and which crucially were wanted by our officers and staff. I am proud of the progress we have made, and our people deserve so much credit for their role in identifying what needed to be done and then delivering that for Londoners.”

“Of course, there remains much, much more to do, and I know my successor, once appointed, will build on what we have achieved so far.”

Tributes from Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley paid tribute to Dame Lynne’s exceptional contributions to policing, stating, “Dame Lynne Owens is one of the most talented and dedicated police officers of her generation. Her commitment to communities, officers, and staff is unwavering and illustrated by her determination to step back into policing months after recovering from cancer when the Met was at a critical moment.”

“Her contribution to policing is astonishing and cannot be underestimated. Dame Lynne has shown her relentless passion for law enforcement, playing a pivotal role in leading the officers and staff of the Met to improve our service to Londoners. I hugely admire Dame Lynne and am profoundly grateful personally and professionally for her immense support over the past two-and-a-half years. London has a far better police service because of her.”

A Trailblazing Career and Honours

Throughout her career, Dame Lynne has been widely recognized for her service:

• Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) – Awarded in 2008 for distinguished service.
• Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) – Recognized in the 2015 Birthday Honours for services to policing and criminal justice.
• Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath (DCB) – Bestowed in the 2021 New Year Honours for her exceptional contributions to law enforcement.

Looking Ahead

The process to appoint the next Deputy Commissioner will involve discussions between Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, the Home Secretary, and the Mayor of London. Further details on the recruitment process will be released in due course.

As Dame Lynne prepares to step down, her legacy will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on British policing, having broken barriers, led major national operations, and helped restore confidence in the Metropolitan Police during challenging times.