Wanted: Outstanding Briton to be Met chief

THE post of Metropolitan Police Commissioner is to be formally advertised tomorrow with the Home Secretary demanding a British citizen with an "outstanding record" in fighting terrorism and serious crime.

The advertisement for the £253,622-a-year job is to appear in Police Review.

Candidates for the role to replace outgoing Commissioner Sir Ian Blair have until 1 December to apply. An appointment is expected to be made by the spring at the latest.

The advertisement makes clear that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith will make the final decision on the appointment following "representations" from Mayor Boris Johnson and "recommendations" from the Metropolitan Police Authority.

The wording emphasises the commissioner's responsibility for fighting terrorism on a national scale as well as policing the 2012 Olympics.

A successful candidate will have "proven leadership skills" in operational policing, working with diverse communities and managing complex organisations. The advertisement continues: "He or she will demonstrate an outstanding track record in countering terrorism, serious and organised crime, and serious violent crime."

As many as 12 police chiefs - including two women and Britain's only black chief police constable - are lining up to submit applications.

The Home Secretary told Police Review: "I want somebody who will be able to command both the challenges of policing London with the national role of a Met Commissioner." Sir Ian resigned last month after being effectively forced out by the Mayor when he took control of the Met Police Authority. Mr Johnson's action was criticised by the Home Secretary and led to concerns at the highest levels in policing about political interference.

There are now fears that the Home Office will clash with the Mayor over the choice of candidate. Evening Standard has also revealed divisions among senior figures at City Hall over who should take over.

Mr Johnson is expected to rely on the advice of the deputy mayor in charge of policing, Kit Malthouse. He is known to favour the deputy commissioner, Sir Paul Stephenson. However, senior Home Office officials - and at least two senior figures at City Hall - believe Sir Hugh Orde, the current chief in Northern Ireland, is the best candidate.

The split was underlined at a Policy Exchange debate on the role of the next Met chief last night. Mr Malthouse admitted he wanted a "pretty boring" numbers man, while former counter-terrorism chief Peter Clarke said frontline officers needed "inspirational leadership".

The advertisement says a new commissioner will occupy a "unique" post in British policing and will lead a force of 55,000 employees with a budget of £3.5 billion.

It states that applicants should be serving chief constables or of equivalent UK ranks and the post will be for five years. It adds: "Because of the role of the Commissioner in national security, applicants must be British citizens", formally ruling out any speculation that a foreign police chief such as Los Angeles police boss Bill Bratton could take the role.

Publication of the advert was reportedly delayed because of a disagreement between the Home Office and the Mayor over the wording.

Sir Paul is the favourite to succeed Sir Ian, according to bookmaker Paddy Power. Sir Hugh and Kent police chief Michael Fuller are second favourites at 5-1.

Stephen House, the head of Strathclyde force, has made a surprise entry among the leading candidates with odds of 7-1.