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{{short description|Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner from 1987 to 1993}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2016}} {{EngvarB|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox officeholder {{Infobox officeholder
|honorific-prefix = ] | honorific-prefix = ]
|name = The Lord Imbert | name = The Lord Imbert
|honorific-suffix = {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|CVO|QPM|DL}} | honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|CVO|QPM|KStJ|DL}}
|image = Peter Imbert 1987.jpg | image = Peter Imbert 1987.jpg
|imagesize = | imagesize =
|smallimage = | smallimage =
|caption = | caption =
|order = | order =
|office = ] | office1 = ]
|term_start = 1 January 1987 | term_start1 = 1 January 1987
|term_end = 31 December 1992 | term_end1 = 31 December 1992
|predecessor = ] | monarch1 = ]
| primeminister1 = ]<BR>]
⚫ |successor = ]
| deputy1 = ]<br>]
⚫ |birthname = Peter Michael Imbert
| predecessor1 = ]
⚫ |birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1933|4|27}}
|birth_place = ], England, United Kingdom | successor1 = ]
| office = ]
⚫ |death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2017|11|13|1933|4|27}}
|death_place = | term_start = 21 December 1998
|restingplace = | term_end = 27 April 2008
| monarch = ]
⚫ |restingplacecoordinates =
| predecessor = ]
⚫ |profession = Police officer
⚫ | successor = ]
⚫ | birthname = Peter Michael Imbert
⚫ | birth_date = {{Birth date|1933|4|27|df=y}}
| birth_place = ], England
⚫ | death_date = {{Death date and age|2017|11|13|1933|4|27|df=y}}
| death_place =
| restingplace =
⚫ | restingplacecoordinates =
⚫ | profession = Police officer

}} }}
'''Peter Michael Imbert, Baron Imbert''', {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|CVO|QPM|DL}} (27 April 1933 – 13 November 2017)<ref name="polprof">{{cite news|title=Tributes paid to former MPS commissioner|url=http://www.policeprofessional.com/news.aspx?id=30833|access-date=13 November 2017|work=Police Professional|date=13 November 2017}}</ref> was ] of the ] from 1987 to 1993, and prior to that appointment ] of ] from 1979 to 1985. '''Peter Michael Imbert, Baron Imbert''', {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|CVO|QPM|KStJ|DL}} (27 April 1933 – 13 November 2017<ref>{{cite news|title=Tributes paid to former MPS commissioner|url=http://www.policeprofessional.com/news.aspx?id=30833|access-date=13 November 2017|work=Police Professional|date=13 November 2017}}</ref>) was ] of the ] from 1987 to 1993, and prior to that appointment ] of ] from 1979 to 1985.


He was the ] until 2008. He was made a ] as '''Baron Imbert''', of New Romney in the County of ] in 1999, sitting as a ]. He was the ] from 1998 until 2008. He was made a ] as '''Baron Imbert''', of New Romney in the County of ] in 1999, sitting as a ].


==Early life== ==Early life==
Born in ], Imbert was educated at the ] in ], spent his National Service in the Royal Air Force Police and worked for a short time with Kent County Council, before joining the Metropolitan Police in 1953 at ]. Born in ], Imbert was educated at the ] in ], spent his National Service in the Royal Air Force Police and worked for a short time with Kent County Council, before joining the Metropolitan Police in 1953 at ].


In 1956, he married Iris Dove, with whom he had three children. In 1956, he married Iris Dove, with whom he had three children.


==Metropolitan Police== ==Metropolitan Police==
In 1956, Imbert joined ], learning ] and Russian during his 17 years with the unit. In 1973, he was made deputy head of the ], where he became an expert on European terrorist groups such as ], and gave lectures on hostage negotiation and counter-terrorism tactics. In 1956, Imbert joined ], learning ] and Russian during his 17 years with the unit. In 1973, he was made deputy head of the ], where he became an expert on European terrorist groups such as ], and gave lectures on hostage negotiation and counter-terrorism tactics.


===Balcombe Street Siege=== ===Balcombe Street Siege===
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=== Guildford Four case === === Guildford Four case ===
Peter Imbert played a major role in interrogating the ] convicted for the ] of 5 October 1974. The Guildford Four served 15 years in jail although the Balcombe Street siege IRA unit had confessed to the bombing shortly after the four were jailed.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Toolis |first1=Kevin |title=WHEN BRITISH JUSTICE FAILED |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/25/magazine/when-british-justice-failed.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |publisher=The New York Times}}</ref> Attention turned to Imbert's role in interrogating the Guildford four when they were cleared in 1989. Imbert claimed to have believed their “confessions” although the four suspects had been subjected to violence and threats.<ref>{{cite web |title=Obituary: Former police chief who had dealings with Guildford Four |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/obituary-former-police-chief-who-had-dealings-with-guildford-four-1.3294893 |publisher=The Irish Times}}</ref> Imbert's role in interrogating the ], convicted for the ] of 5 October 1974, came under scrutiny after the four were released from jail in 1989. ] described the police investigation of the Guildford Four as a sequence of false confessions and police deceits.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bowcott |first1=Owen |title=Eyewitness - Justice blind becomes justice embarrassed |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/1989/oct/20/northernireland.northernireland |work=The Guardian|date=20 October 1989 }}</ref> Imbert claimed to have believed the suspects' "confessions" which were made during an interrogation where they were subjected to violence and threats.<ref>{{cite web |title=Obituary: Former police chief who had dealings with Guildford Four |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/obituary-former-police-chief-who-had-dealings-with-guildford-four-1.3294893 |publisher=The Irish Times}}</ref>


==County forces== ==County forces==
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Imbert returned to London in 1985 as Deputy Commissioner, becoming Commissioner in 1987. Imbert returned to London in 1985 as Deputy Commissioner, becoming Commissioner in 1987.


Building on the reforms to the Met implemented by his predecessor, ], Imbert began his own set of reforms called the PLUS program, aiming to improve the corporate image and quality of service of the Met. The programme saw the Met renamed from the "Metropolitan Police Force" to the "Metropolitan Police Service", the name it has retained to this day.<ref>{{cite book |last=Fleming |first=Robert |author2=Hugh Miller |title=Scotland Yard |year=1995 |publisher=Signet |location=London |isbn=0-451-18250-2}}</ref> In addition, a Statement of Common Purpose and Values was devised. Building on the reforms to the Met implemented by his predecessor, ], Imbert began his own set of reforms called the PLUS programme, aiming to improve the corporate image and quality of service of the Met. The programme saw the Met renamed from the "Metropolitan Police Force" to the "Metropolitan Police Service", the name it has retained to this day.<ref>{{cite book |last=Fleming |first=Robert |author2=Hugh Miller |title=Scotland Yard |year=1995 |publisher=Signet |location=London |isbn=0-451-18250-2}}</ref> In addition, a Statement of Common Purpose and Values was devised.


Imbert suffered a heart attack in 1990, and took six months off duty. Further illness in 1992 led to his retirement from the police on 31 January 1993. Imbert suffered a heart attack in 1990, and took six months off duty. Further illness in 1992 led to his retirement from the police on 31 January 1993.


==Honours== ==Honours==
He was awarded the ] (QPM) in 1980.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=48212 |date=14 June 1980 |page=29 |supp=y}}</ref> Awarded the ] (QPM) in 1980,<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=48212 |date=14 June 1980 |page=29 |supp=y}}</ref> Imbert was ] in 1988.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=51558 |date=13 December 1988 |page=13986}}</ref>

Imbert was ] in 1988.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=51558 |date=13 December 1988 |page=13986}}</ref>


Imbert was created ] of ] in 1994, and ] in 1998, an office he held until 2008. Imbert was created ] of ] in 1994, and ] in 1998, an office he held until 2008.
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He was appointed a ] (CVO) in the ].<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=58557 |date=29 December 2007 |page=3 |supp=y}}</ref> He was appointed a ] (CVO) in the ].<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=58557 |date=29 December 2007 |page=3 |supp=y}}</ref>


<center> <div class="center">
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⚫ {| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;"
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|Ribbon || Description || Notes |Ribbon || Description || Notes
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* 1988 * 1988
|- |-
|] || ] (K.stJ) || |] || ] (KStJ) ||
* Knight of Justice * Knight of Justice
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{{Emblem table
{{Infobox COA wide
|image = ]] |image = ]]
|escutcheon = Azure between three scallop shells a portcullis flanked by two keys palewise in fess their wards outwards Argent and in middle chief a dove statant wings Argent. |escutcheon = Azure between three escallop shells a portcullis flanked by two keys palewise in fess their wards outward Argent and in middle chief a dove statant wings expanded also Argent.
|crest = An ancient ship Sable statant on the bulwarks thereof and in front of its mast a lion Or grasping in the dexter forepaw a sword erect Argent hilt pommel and quillons Or furled over the ship's yard arm a mainsail Azure and from the mast top a pennon flying also Azure.
<ref name="Debrett's">{{cite book |author=Debrett's |author-link=Debrett's |date=2000 |title= Debrett's Peerage & Baronetage}}</ref>}}
|supporters = On either side a horse Argent maned tailed and unguled Or and holding in the mouth a truncheon Azure.<ref>{{cite book|title=Debrett's Peerage |date=2003 |page=844}}</ref>}}


== Imbert Prize == == Imbert Prize ==
{{main article|Imbert Prize}} {{Main|Imbert Prize}}


Lord Imbert was a patron of the Association of Security Consultants (ASC), which has awarded the Imbert Prize annually since 2005. The prize is awarded for the development of ideas for the advancement of risk and security management in the UK. It consists of three categories: 1) Best academic dissertation, 2) Most notable contribution in the security industry in the preceding year and 3) The ASC member that has made the most significant contribution to independent security consultancy.<ref name="asc-prize">{{cite web | url = http://www.securityconsultants.org.uk/content/events.asp?ret=latestevents&ID=218 | title = The Imbert Prize | access-date = 26 June 2009 | publisher = Association of Security Consultants | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071206002651/http://www.securityconsultants.org.uk/content/events.asp?ret=latestevents&ID=218 | archive-date = 6 December 2007 | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="sims">{{cite news | title = Brian Sims nominated for Imbert Prize | url = http://www.info4security.com/story.asp?storyCode=4118854&sectioncode=10 | publisher = Info4Security | date = 6 May 2008 | access-date = 26 June 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110713030823/http://www.info4security.com/story.asp?storyCode=4118854&sectioncode=10 | archive-date = 13 July 2011 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Lord Imbert was a patron of the Association of Security Consultants (ASC), which has awarded the Imbert Prize annually since 2005. The prize is awarded for the development of ideas for the advancement of risk and security management in the UK. It consists of three categories: 1) Best academic dissertation, 2) Most notable contribution in the security industry in the preceding year and 3) The ASC member that has made the most significant contribution to independent security consultancy.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.securityconsultants.org.uk/content/events.asp?ret=latestevents&ID=218 | title = The Imbert Prize | access-date = 26 June 2009 | publisher = Association of Security Consultants | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071206002651/http://www.securityconsultants.org.uk/content/events.asp?ret=latestevents&ID=218 | archive-date = 6 December 2007 | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Brian Sims nominated for Imbert Prize | url = http://www.info4security.com/story.asp?storyCode=4118854&sectioncode=10 | publisher = Info4Security | date = 6 May 2008 | access-date = 26 June 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110713030823/http://www.info4security.com/story.asp?storyCode=4118854&sectioncode=10 | archive-date = 13 July 2011 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>
Between 1983 and 2001 Baron Imbert served on the academic consultative committee at ].<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404015647/http://www.cumberlandlodge.ac.uk/aboutus/trustees_of_cumberland_lodge |date=4 April 2011 }}</ref> Between 1983 and 2001 Baron Imbert served on the academic consultative committee at ].<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404015647/http://www.cumberlandlodge.ac.uk/aboutus/trustees_of_cumberland_lodge |date=4 April 2011 }}</ref>


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* House of Lords minutes of proceedings, 23 February 1999 * House of Lords minutes of proceedings, 23 February 1999
*, House of Commons Hansard Debates, 23 October 1992 *, House of Commons Hansard Debates, 23 October 1992
*


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{{s-bef|before= David Holdsworth}} {{s-bef|before= ]}}
{{s-ttl|title=] of ]|years=1979–1985}} {{s-ttl|title=] of ]|years=1979–1985}}
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{{s-ttl|title=]|years=1998–2008}} {{s-ttl|title=]|years=1998–2008}}
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Latest revision as of 03:17, 3 December 2024

Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner from 1987 to 1993

The Right HonourableThe Lord ImbertCVO QPM KStJ DL
Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London
In office
21 December 1998 – 27 April 2008
MonarchElizabeth II
Preceded bySir Edwin Bramall
Succeeded bySir David Brewer
Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
In office
1 January 1987 – 31 December 1992
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime MinisterMargaret Thatcher
John Major
DeputySir John Dellow
Sir John Smith
Preceded bySir Kenneth Newman
Succeeded bySir Paul Condon
Personal details
BornPeter Michael Imbert
(1933-04-27)27 April 1933
Kent, England
Died13 November 2017(2017-11-13) (aged 84)
ProfessionPolice officer

Peter Michael Imbert, Baron Imbert, CVO, QPM, KStJ, DL (27 April 1933 – 13 November 2017) was Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service from 1987 to 1993, and prior to that appointment Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police from 1979 to 1985.

He was the Lord Lieutenant of Greater London from 1998 until 2008. He was made a life peer as Baron Imbert, of New Romney in the County of Kent in 1999, sitting as a crossbencher.

Early life

Born in Kent, Imbert was educated at the Harvey Grammar School in Folkestone, spent his National Service in the Royal Air Force Police and worked for a short time with Kent County Council, before joining the Metropolitan Police in 1953 at Bow Street Police Station.

In 1956, he married Iris Dove, with whom he had three children.

Metropolitan Police

In 1956, Imbert joined Special Branch, learning shorthand and Russian during his 17 years with the unit. In 1973, he was made deputy head of the Anti-Terrorist Branch, where he became an expert on European terrorist groups such as Baader-Meinhof, and gave lectures on hostage negotiation and counter-terrorism tactics.

Balcombe Street Siege

On 6 December 1975, four members of the Provisional IRA barricaded themselves in a flat in Balcombe Street, Marylebone with two hostages. The men had been responsible for a wave of bombings in London, but had been intercepted by armed police while attacking a restaurant.

Imbert was the chief negotiator over the six days of the Balcombe Street Siege, and when the situation ended peacefully with no lives lost and the four IRA members under arrest, Imbert was noted as a possible high-flyer in the police force.

Guildford Four case

Imbert's role in interrogating the Guildford Four, convicted for the Guildford pub bombings of 5 October 1974, came under scrutiny after the four were released from jail in 1989. Lord Chief Justice Lane described the police investigation of the Guildford Four as a sequence of false confessions and police deceits. Imbert claimed to have believed the suspects' "confessions" which were made during an interrogation where they were subjected to violence and threats.

County forces

In 1976, Imbert left the Met and became Assistant Chief Constable, and later Deputy Chief Constable of Surrey Constabulary. In 1979, he became Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, the youngest Chief Constable in the country at that time.

During his time at Thames Valley, Imbert allowed the BBC to make Police, a 1982 fly-on-the-wall documentary series about the police at work. The opposite of a public relations exercise, Thames Valley and the police in general came under sustained criticism when an episode of the programme showed three detectives interrogating and dismissing a rape victim. Shocked at the attitude and behaviour of his officers, and the public reaction, Imbert instigated improvements to the handling of rape cases to Thames Valley which were adopted throughout the country.

Return to London

Imbert returned to London in 1985 as Deputy Commissioner, becoming Commissioner in 1987.

Building on the reforms to the Met implemented by his predecessor, Sir Kenneth Newman, Imbert began his own set of reforms called the PLUS programme, aiming to improve the corporate image and quality of service of the Met. The programme saw the Met renamed from the "Metropolitan Police Force" to the "Metropolitan Police Service", the name it has retained to this day. In addition, a Statement of Common Purpose and Values was devised.

Imbert suffered a heart attack in 1990, and took six months off duty. Further illness in 1992 led to his retirement from the police on 31 January 1993.

Honours

Awarded the Queen's Police Medal (QPM) in 1980, Imbert was knighted in 1988.

Imbert was created Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London in 1994, and Lord Lieutenant in 1998, an office he held until 2008.

He was created a life peer on 10 February 1999, taking the title Baron Imbert, of New Romney in the county of Kent.

He was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in the 2008 New Year Honours List.


Ribbon Description Notes
Royal Victorian Order (CVO)
  • Commander
  • 2008
Knight Bachelor (Kt)
  • 1988
Order of St John (KStJ)
  • Knight of Justice
Queen's Police Medal (QPM)
  • 1980
Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Coat of arms of Peter Imbert, Baron Imbert
Crest
An ancient ship Sable statant on the bulwarks thereof and in front of its mast a lion Or grasping in the dexter forepaw a sword erect Argent hilt pommel and quillons Or furled over the ship's yard arm a mainsail Azure and from the mast top a pennon flying also Azure.
Escutcheon
Azure between three escallop shells a portcullis flanked by two keys palewise in fess their wards outward Argent and in middle chief a dove statant wings expanded also Argent.
Supporters
On either side a horse Argent maned tailed and unguled Or and holding in the mouth a truncheon Azure.

Imbert Prize

Main article: Imbert Prize

Lord Imbert was a patron of the Association of Security Consultants (ASC), which has awarded the Imbert Prize annually since 2005. The prize is awarded for the development of ideas for the advancement of risk and security management in the UK. It consists of three categories: 1) Best academic dissertation, 2) Most notable contribution in the security industry in the preceding year and 3) The ASC member that has made the most significant contribution to independent security consultancy. Between 1983 and 2001 Baron Imbert served on the academic consultative committee at Cumberland Lodge.

References

  1. "Tributes paid to former MPS commissioner". Police Professional. 13 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  2. 1975: Balcombe Street siege ends, bbc.co.uk, 12 December 1975.
  3. Bowcott, Owen (20 October 1989). "Eyewitness - Justice blind becomes justice embarrassed". The Guardian.
  4. "Obituary: Former police chief who had dealings with Guildford Four". The Irish Times.
  5. Police (1982), screenonline.
  6. Fleming, Robert; Hugh Miller (1995). Scotland Yard. London: Signet. ISBN 0-451-18250-2.
  7. "No. 48212". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 June 1980. p. 29.
  8. "No. 51558". The London Gazette. 13 December 1988. p. 13986.
  9. "No. 55403". The London Gazette. 15 February 1999. p. 1763.
  10. "No. 58557". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 December 2007. p. 3.
  11. Debrett's Peerage. 2003. p. 844.
  12. "The Imbert Prize". Association of Security Consultants. Archived from the original on 6 December 2007. Retrieved 26 June 2009.
  13. "Brian Sims nominated for Imbert Prize". Info4Security. 6 May 2008. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2009.
  14. Cumberland Lodge: Trustees Archived 4 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine
General

External links

Police appointments
Preceded byDavid Holdsworth Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police
1979–1985 		Succeeded byColin Smith
Preceded bySir Kenneth Newman Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
1987–1993 		Succeeded bySir Paul Condon
Honorary titles
Preceded byThe Lord Bramall Lord Lieutenant of Greater London
1998–2008 		Succeeded bySir David Brewer
Categories: