Metropolitan Police and City of London Police: Upper Ranks
The ranks of Commander and above differentiate the Met and the City of London Police from other police services.
How to Address a Commissioner
The recommended social style of address is as follows:
| Beginning of letter | Dear Sir John (if a Knight); Dear Dame Elizabeth (if a Dame); otherwise Dear Mr Smith or Commissioner |
| End of letter | Yours sincerely |
| Envelope | Sir John Jones (followed by decorations); John Jones, Esq (followed by decorations); Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis or for the City of London |
| Verbal communication | Commissioner, or by name |
Decorations are listed after the name and before the appointment.
How to address a Deputy or Assistant Commissioner
The recommended social style of address is as follows:
| Beginning of letter | As for Commissioner, but if by his/her appointment, Dear Deputy Commissioner (or Assistant Commissioner) |
| Envelope | Sir John Smith (followed by decorations), Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolis/for the City of London; John Smith, Esq (followed by decorations) (then as above) |
| Verbal communication | By appointment or by name |
How to address a Deputy Assistant Commissioner
The recommended social style of address is as follows:
| Beginning of letter | Dear Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Smith or Dear Deputy Assistant Commissioner |
| Envelope | John Smith, Esq (followed by decorations) Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police |
| Verbal address | By appointment or by name |
How to address a Commander
The recommended social style of address is as follows:
| Beginning of letter | Dear Commander Smith (or appropriate rank), or Dear Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Smith |
| Envelope | With rank before name, followed by 'Metropolitan Police' or 'City of London Police', e.g. Commander J. W. Johnson, MBE, Metropolitan Police, or by name followed by appointment, e.g. John W. Johnson, Esq, MBE, Commander, City of London Police |
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