Inspector Chris Excell

"It can be very rewarding to know we’ve saved a life or stopped a crime from happening."

Inspector Chris Excell has been with the Met for over seventeen years. During his career he has worked in many different units including answering 999 calls, working in local neighbourhoods and as part of the Territorial Support Group, where he was trained in policing high-risk incidents and large scale disorder.

What is your day-to-day like?

I currently work as an Operations Manager, supporting the officers on the streets help to safely police the boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark. It is shift-based, but you get used to it!

I review the way my team respond to the emergency 999, and non-emergency 101 calls that are received. The calls that the team have to respond to can be from anything from helping to find missing people and wanted suspects to major incidents when they occur. There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to keep the public and officers safe. It can be very rewarding to know we’ve saved a life or stopped a crime from happening.

How has being an officer at the Met impacted you?

I’ve always been working on the streets of London where you deal with some extraordinary situations. You see a side of London that normally people don’t get to see. It’s a privilege, but it does change you and the way you see things and see people.

This job gives you a real opportunity that others may never get, like seeing how resilient you are in a crisis. In really challenging situations you also learn how to support each other as well as looking after yourself.

What achievements are you most proud of?

My biggest personal achievement is becoming an inspector after 15 years. To do the role I currently do, you need to be an inspector. To be in charge of the brave officers that patrol the streets of London is quite an honour. In my case, we look after two boroughs in south London, where just under 450,000 people live.

Throughout my time in the Met, I have always worked in frontline policing, which is at the core of why I joined - to make a difference out on the streets.

What would you say to someone considering a career in the Met?

There is space for everyone in the Met. A career in the Met will develop you in ways no other profession can. We get to serve and protect Londoners when they’re at their most vulnerable. What we all do today, can only make things better for tomorrow and for those who follow after us.

It’s important to remember that you are accountable to the public and that comes with a lot of responsibility. Teamwork, integrity and pride in what we do, allow you to rise to the challenge. It’s a truly rewarding career on many levels.