1. Lynne Owens was made interim Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service in September 2022 before being confirmed as that role's permanent holder in February 2023, the first-ever such female holder.
18 Facts About Lynne Owens
1. 2.
Lynne Owens was Assistant Commissioner of Central Operations, then Central Operations and Specialist Crime, with the Metropolitan Police Service from 2010 to 2012, and the Chief Constable of Surrey Police from 2012 to 2015.
3.
Lynne Owens then served as Director-General of the National Crime Agency from 2016 to 2021, making her one of the most senior law enforcement chiefs in the United Kingdom at the time.
4.
Lynne Owens studied at the University of Exeter, graduating with a Master of Arts degree in 2008.
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Lynne Owens was appointed Divisional Commander of North Surrey in May 2003.
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Lynne Owens became the youngest person to hold the rank of deputy chief constable when she was appointed to the rank temporarily in March 2008.
7.
Lynne Owens was promoted to Assistant Commissioner in December 2010, becoming only the second woman to hold that rank in that service.
8.
Lynne Owens was overall commander of the policing for the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton that took place in April 2011, and the state visit by US president Barack Obama in May 2011.
9.
Lynne Owens was part of the Metropolitan Police's senior leadership team during the 2011 England riots, for whose handling they were heavily criticised.
10.
In December 2011, Lynne Owens was selected to become the next Chief Constable of Surrey Police.
11.
Lynne Owens took up the appointment in February 2012, becoming the first woman to head the force.
12.
On 26 November 2015 it was announced that Lynne Owens would be the next head of the National Crime Agency.
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Lynne Owens replaced the outgoing Director-General and former Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police, Keith Bristow QPM, in January 2016.
14.
Lynne Owens was succeeded by Graeme Biggar on an interim basis.
15.
Lynne Owens announced on 25 February 2025 that she would retire in May that year.
16.
Lynne Owens was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in the 2008 New Year Honours for distinguished service.
17.
Lynne Owens was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2015 Birthday Honours for services to policing and criminal justice.
18.
Lynne Owens was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 2021 New Year Honours for service to law enforcement.