Lucy D’Orsi has been appointed as Chief Constable of the British Transport Police (BTP).

She is currently the Metropolitan Police’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner (DAC) for Specialist Operations and will take up her appointment early in the New Year.

The current chief Paul Crowther is set to retire in February 2020 after 40 years of service and seven years at the top. Deputy chief constable Adrian Hanstock is also retiring, but is staying on into the next year to support the induction of DAC D’Orsi and the selection of the new DCC.

DAC D'Orsi said: “I am looking forward to building on the legacy that Paul is handing over and I would like to thank him for his dedication to policing. Whilst policing the Nation’s capital has given me a wealth of operational experience, I am excited to lead a force that deals with the unique nature of policing Britain’s rail, underground and tram network.

“Working with industry partners and government to keep passengers safe, the railway moving and protect our critical national infrastructure, particularly during these uncertain times will be very rewarding. I very much look forward to working with the exceptional officers and staff of BTP, and the Police Authority. Finally, I would like to thank my family, friends and colleagues who have supported me throughout my policing career.”

BTP said she will provide "effective leadership to a large, dispersed workforce of over 5,000 police officers and staff across England, Scotland and Wales, as well as leading constructive partnerships with the Department for Transport, the devolved administrations and the Rail Industry across Great Britain".

DAC D’Orsi was chosen following a recruitment process led by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA), the oversight body for the BTP. The appointment was approved by the Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps MP and endorsed by Scottish Justice Minister Humza Yousaf MSP. 

BTPA Chair, Ron Barclay-Smith, says: “We believe that Lucy will bring valuable skills and insightful leadership to BTP, at a time when there is an uncertain future for Britain’s rail landscape. With the changing nature of crime and demand on the railway following Covid-19, and the need for ever closer working between BTP and train operators, we feel that Lucy’s strong blend of experience and aptitude position her well to lead BTP.  We are delighted she has agreed to take on this role.”

After joining the Met in 1992, DAC D’Orsi went on to hold the role of East London Commander. She is currently Counter Terrorism Policing’s Senior National Coordinator for Protective Security and Preparedness, and is a gold public order commander and has led the policing of multiple events.

She recently led on the Centenary celebrations for 100 years of Metropolitan Police Women and is also the National Police lead for Taser and Counter Drone UK capabilities.

Her work as Taser lead was instrumental to the amendment to the Criminal Practice Direction allowing officers to bring their Taser into court buildings. DAC D’Orsi was also successful in her efforts to extend full pay maternity leave for officers to 26 weeks, which was recently agreed to by the Home Office.