Woman in race to be Met chief

A WOMAN police chief could become a leading contender in the race to be head of Scotland Yard.

Respected former chief constable Jane Stichbury is understood to be considering applying for the post to succeed Sir Ian Blair as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.

Ms Stichbury, 53, one of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary, is a former chief of Dorset Police.

Her experience as a leading HM Inspector and chief constable and senior officer in the Met will make her a serious contender for the position of Britain's most senior officer.

She became the first female chief constable to be appointed as one of Her Majesty's Inspectors four years ago. During her 31 years with the police she has also served as a commander and deputy assistant commissioner in the Met.

At least two women are said to be considering applying for the role which became vacant earlier this month when Sir Ian was ousted by the Mayor. Julie Spence, chief constable of Cambridgeshire, is also said to be interested. If either applies, they will be the first women to even apply for the £240,000-a-year post.

Sir Ian formally steps down from the role on 1 December. He resigned earlier this month after Boris Johnson told him it was time for a change of leadership of the Met.

The Met's Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson will take over as temporary Commissioner until a new one is appointed.

Ms Stichbury, who is married, began her police career as a constable in the Met in 1977. She swiftly rose through the ranks to become "Commander Crime" for central London before being promoted to Deputy Assistant Commissioner the Met's most senior woman officer at the time. Earlier this year she challenged the bureaucracy keeping police off streets. A Home Office spokesman said adverts for the job were to be issued "soon". No one has yet announced their intention of applying, but Sir Paul Stephenson has hinted he will be a candidate by refusing to rule himself out.