Rob Atkin

The Police Service Commission (PSC) announces the appointment of Mr. Robert Atkin, MBE to
the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) for the Royal Cayman Islands Police
Service (RCIPS).

“I am pleased to see the culmination of this recruitment process result in the appointment of a
highly experienced and capable candidate, Mr. Robert Atkin MBE, who brings years of policing
expertise in the UK to support us in delivering on our objectives here in the Cayman Islands,
says Governor Jane Owen, who is the chair of the PSC.

The PSC is an independent body, established in 2021 with the specific responsibilities for the
senior appointments and promotions within the RCIPS (Superintendent rank and higher ranks),
and the good governance of the RCIPS.

Commissioner of Police, Kurt Walton, voiced his support for this recruitment: “I congratulate and
welcome ACP, Robert Atkin on his selection and appointment and extend thanks to the PSC for
their oversight in the interview and selection process. I look forward to working closely with
ACP Atkin on developing plans to deliver on the recently released RCIPS Strategic Policing
Plan 2024 – 2026. We have much work to do, and ACP Atkin’s experience and expertise will no
doubt offer fresh perspectives on how we can tackle the tasks ahead of us”.

ACP Atkin began his policing career in 1990 when he joined the Metropolitan Police Service as
a Police Cadet before becoming a Constable in April 1994. Since this time, he has worked
across many specialist areas including road policing, uniform response, community policing,
and firearms unit.

In 2014, when appointed Chief Superintendent, he took on senior roles such as Head of
Strategic Training and Development for the MET, and in 2016, he took over as Commander for
Aviation policing. This role saw him responsible for policing of London Heathrow and London
City airports, which included oversight of specialist investigations targeting international
organised criminality.

In 2018 ACP Atkin was appointed Commander for the MET’s Specialist Firearms Department,
responsible for the response to all firearms related incidents and high threat incidents in
London. He then went on to lead recruitment for the MET, before becoming the Commander for
Southeast London in 2020.

ACP Atkin transferred to the City of London Police in May 2021 where he was responsible for
HQ services, leading on force strategic development. His final role in the City of London Police
was Directorate Head responsible for all uniform policing operations and departments ranging
from firearms, traffic, response, communities, and public order. ACP Atkin has led the response
for a number of innovative operations at the City of London, particularly increasing safety of
women and girls in the night time economy.

In 2014 ACP Atkin was awarded the MBE by her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth for his work
supporting families of Police Officers killed in the line of duty.
ACP Atkin continues to be an active Strategic Firearms Commander, CBRN Gold Commander
and Counter Terrorism Security Advisor and has recently been successful on the College of
Policing Strategic Command Course.

ACP Atkin, says “Being appointed as Assistant Commissioner of Police for the RCIPS is an
honour and privilege. I look forward to working across the RCIPS units to ensure our staff have
the absolute best leadership, support and care so they can do their best job for our
communities”

Professional Biography – Assistant Commissioner Rob Atkin MBE

Rob joined the Metropolitan Police Service in 1990 as a Police Cadet before joining as
Constable in April 1994. As a Constable, Sergeant and Inspector Rob undertook a number of
roles which included road policing and the investigation of serious and fatal road collisions.
Rob particular enjoyed uniform response and community policing roles in some of the most
challenging London Boroughs. On promotion to Chief Inspector Rob was responsible for pan
London command and control in the Force control room before moving to the Force Firearms
Unit where he successfully passed his authorised firearms course. Rob was also recognised
for innovation in community engagement in this role and was recognised for his work in respect
of promoting diversity and inclusion in the Unit.

In 2011 Rob was promoted to Superintendent posted to Croydon Borough – responsible for
uniform policing and partnership operations. Croydon has a population of 342,000 people –
the second most populated in London, and if were compared to United Kingdom cities would
be the 8th largest. This followed the London riots where Rob led the police response to
rebuilding community cohesion. Rob was proud of the crime reduction and detection rate that
was achieved whilst he led policing operations.

In 2014 Rob was promoted to Chief Superintendent – Head of Strategic Learning, Leadership
and Talent. This role oversaw strategic direction of training, leadership, and people
development policy for the MET. This included an overhaul of training delivery, a new
leadership programme and an innovative approach to police promotion processes.

In 2016 Rob took over as OCU Commander for the Aviation Policing Command (SO18) part
of the MET’s Specialist Operations Command and is responsible for the policing of London
Heathrow and London City airports. Heathrow being the 5th busiest airport globally. This was
both an unarmed and armed command and also oversaw specialist investigations targeting
international organised criminality. Testing and exercising in response to terrorism and airport
incidents also fell under Rob’s direction.

Rob was also proud that the command delivered the best crime detection rate in the Capital.

In 2018 appointed as OCU Commander for the MET’s Specialist Firearms Department which
is responsible for the response to all firearms related incidents and high threat incidents in
London.

Rob went onto lead recruitment for the MET and was responsible for delivering the
unprecedented growth in Police Officer and Police Staff as part of the national uplift
programme. This included achieving an unprecedented step change in recruitment of diverse
groups to the force.

In May 2020 Rob became the BCU Commander for Southeast London covering the boroughs
of Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley and was responsible for leading 1800 staff and led
several high-profile critical incidents and led the BCU through the pandemic. This role included
the command of uniform policing, complex partnerships, community safety and crime
investigations.

Rob transferred to the City of London Police in May 2021 where he was responsible for HQ
services leading on force strategic development where he led the team in producing the force
strategy and governance procedures.

Rob’s final role in the City of London Police was Directorate Head responsible for all uniform
policing operations and departments ranging from firearms, traffic, response, communities,
mounted and public order. Rob has led the response to a number of innovative operations at
the City of London particularly increasing safety of women and girls in the night time economy.

In 2014 Rob was awarded the MBE by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, for his work
supporting families of Police Officers killed in the line of duty.

Rob continues to be an active Strategic Firearms Commander, CBRN Gold Commanders and
Counter Terrorism Security Advisor and has recently been successful on the College of
Policing Strategic Command Course.

Out of work Rob loves cycling and is looking forward to exploring the Cayman Islands.