Britain appointed its new top policeman on Wednesday, naming Sir Paul Stephenson as head of London's Metropolitan Police after his predecessor was forced to quit over a political row. Stephenson, 55, has responsibility for fighting terrorism nationally, heading up Britain's policing strategy and securing the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
He had been acting Met Commissioner since December 1 last year, two months after his predecessor Sir Ian Blair resigned having lost the confidence of London Mayor Boris Johnson.
"I am just such a hugely proud policeman today, to be asked to lead the Met in bringing safety to millions of Londoners, millions of visitors and lead the Met's national efforts," he said, standing alongside Johnson and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith outside the Scotland Yard police headquarters.
Stephenson, who has described himself as a "common-sense policeman", will lead Britain's largest police force. The Met has a staff of more than 50,000 and a 3.5-billion-pound (3.7-billion-euro, five-billion-dollar) budget.
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