The Metropolitan Police Force is the main law-enforcement agency in the Capital and the biggest police force in the country, employing over 35,000 people. The Mayor, subject to approval by the Assembly, sets its budget. Other police forces in London include the City of London Police, the British Transport Police and the Royal Parks Constabulary. The MPA is responsible for policing the majority of Greater London. The MPA also undertakes many national tasks, like protection of royalty and the Capital's diplomatic community, as well as having certain counter-terrorism duties.
The MPA is made up of 23 members, 12 from the London Assembly, appointed by the Mayor, 4 magistrates and 7 independents, one of whom is appointed by the Home Office. The appointment of the Commissioner continues to be a Royal appointment made following a recommendation by the Home Secretary, who must have regard to any recommendations by the MPA and any representations from the Mayor before making his recommendation.
The basic street-level policing of London is carried out by 33 Borough Operational Command Units (BOCUs), which operate to the same boundaries as the 32 London borough councils with one BOCU dedicated to Heathrow Airport. The BOCUs are the units that Londoners will know as their local police. The 1998 Crime and Disorder Act established partnerships between the police, local authorities, probation service, health authorities, the voluntary sector, and local residents and businesses. London has 33 Statutory Crime & Disorder Partnerships effectively covering every London Borough (including the Corporation of London). These partnerships are working to reduce crime and disorder in their area by:
- Establishing the levels of crime and disorder problems in their area, consulting widely with the community to ensure that the partnership's perception matches that of local people.
- Devising a 3-year strategy containing measures to tackle those priority problems.
- Second strategies were published in April 2002. Action plans have now been devised to deliver a series of crime reduction projects.
An extensive programme of research, training, seminars and consultancy support has been put in place to help the partnerships achieve real and sustained reductions in crime and disorder.
