The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) was set up over 50 years ago so that work in developing policing policies could be undertaken in one place, on behalf of the Service as a whole, rather than in 44 forces separately.

ACPO's core activity in developing policing policy is carried out through a number of Business Areas, with draft policies subject to approval by the ACPO Cabinet or the Chief Constables' Council.

he Metropolitan Police Service is famed around the world and has a unique place in the history of policing. It is by far the largest of the police services that operate in greater London (the others include the City of London Police and the British Transport Police). The Royal Parks Constabulary have now become part of the Metropolitan Police Service.

Founded by Sir Robert Peel in 1829, the original establishment of 1,000 officers policed a seven-mile radius from Charing Cross and a population of less than 2 million.

Today, the Metropolitan Police Service employs 30,235 officers, 11,966 police staff, 493 traffic wardens and 1392 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), and, since the realignment of police boundaries in April 2000, it covers an area of 620 square miles and a population of 7.2million.