Lucy D'Orsi
Lucy Clare D'Orsi (née Copson; born December 1969) is a British police officer. She currently serves as a Deputy Assistant Commissioner in the Metropolitan Police Service, with responsibility for the Protection Command, she will be the next Chief Constable of British Transport Police as of February 2021.
Lucy D'Orsi | |
|---|---|
| Chief Constable of the British Transport Police | |
| Assumed office February 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Paul Crowther |
| Deputy Assistant Commissioner Security and Protection Metropolitan Police Service | |
| In office December 2016 – February 2021 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Lucy Clare D'Orsi |
| Alma mater | Sheffield Hallam University |
| Profession | Police officer |
Early life and family
Lucy D'Orsi was born Lucy Copson in Leicester, in December 1969.[1] She married Raffaele D'Orsi in Leicester in 1993.[2] Raffaele is a Detective Superintendent and Deputy Borough Commander for policing in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. In 2004, Lucy and Raffaele D'Orsi were thanked by author Lynda La Plante for their advice on police procedures for her novel Above Suspicion.[3]
Career
D'Orsi joined the Metropolitan Police Service in 1992. She was in charge of the police response to London's largest fire of 2006, in Beaufort Park, Hendon, and has headed special operations relating to illegal weapons.[4] She moved from Enfield to be Chief Superintendent and Borough Commander in Hammersmith and Fulham from March 2011 to March 2014[5][6] after which she was promoted to Commander in East London.
In 2015, D'Orsi was in charge of security during the visit of Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the United Kingdom[7][8] which was regarded on the British official side as a very difficult visit to arrange as in negotiations the Chinese delegation had wanted their security officials to be able to carry guns and for all anti-Chinese protests to be banned, neither of which demands was agreed to by the Metropolitan Police.[9] During the visit, however, three protestors were arrested and their homes searched resulting in criticism that legitimate protests had been blocked and the response to the protests "heavy handed".[10] In a blogpost written in her official capacity in 2015, D'Orsi rejected accusations that the policing of protests during the visit had been subject to political interference, saying "The policing of the state visit was a matter for the Metropolitan Police Service and any other suggestion is wrong".[11] D'Orsi was recommended for a commendation for her work during the visit but did not receive it because her performance was seen as part of the natural duties of her role.[9] In May 2016, Queen Elizabeth II was filmed remarking that the Chinese "were very rude to the ambassador", and that it was "bad luck" for D'Orsi to be responsible for security during the visit.
On the 3rd December 2020, the British Transport Police Authority announced that D'Orsi would be the next Chief Constable of the British Transport Police. She will take over the role from February 2021.
Honours
| Ribbon | Description | Notes |
|
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal |
|
|
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal |
|
|
Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal |
References
- ^ Lucy Clare D'ORSI. Companies House. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ England & Wales marriages 1837-2008 Transcription. Retrieved 11 May 2016. (subscription required)
- ^ La Plante, Lynda. (2004). Above Suspicion. London: Simon and Schuster. p. 11. ISBN 978-1-84739-509-2.
- ^ New Borough Commander Lucy D’Orsi. h&f news, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, 4 March 2011. Archived at Internet Archive. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ Lucy D’Orsi moves to new post. David Millar, H&F Neighbourhood Watch Association, 5 February 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ Hammersmith and Fulham police chief says goodbye to the borough next month. Alix Culbertson, getwestlondon, 17 February 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ Queen caught on camera criticising 'very rude' Chinese officials during sensitive state visit. Chiara Palazzo, The Telegraph, 11 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ Queen caught on camera saying Chinese officials were 'very rude'. Tom Phillips, The Guardian, 11 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ a b Line of duty: officer won praise for handling of 'rude' Chinese. The Times, 12 May 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016. (subscription required)
- ^ Campaigners demand investigation into Met police's handling of China state visit. David Connett, Nigel Morris, Jamie Merrill, The Independent, 23 October 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ Independence of policing the Chinese state visit. Lucy D'Orsi, Metropolitan Police, 23 October 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2016.