Job Title: Data Protection Officer
Salary: The starting salary is £90,336, which includes allowances totalling £2,928.
The salary is broken down as £87,408 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £96,341. Plus, a location allowance of £1,928 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.
Location: The primary Met Location for this role is either Sidcup, Hendon, Lambeth or Southwark. Travel across the Met Estate, to attend meetings as required by the business, is expected.
“Keep checking Met Careers on a daily basis for new and exciting opportunities being released to join DDaT!”
Policing London is a hugely complex challenge that evolves every day. To make sure the Met is up to the task, we need the right IT and systems across our organisation. As a Data Protection Officer, you will shape the future in securing AI whilst Safeguarding Privacy Rights, Shape Innovation and Empower the use of Ethical Data in the Metropolitan Police. You will help to enable us to do our best for the London area. Join us and play your part in making London the safest capital in the world and delivering ‘More Trust, Less Crime and High Standards’.
Are you ready to lead the way in data protection? Do you have a passion for data protection, privacy, and governance and understand its criticality to AI foundations? The Metropolitan Police has unique data sets and unique data users and is seeking an outstanding leader and data protection expert to take on the pivotal role of Data Protection Officer (DPO) within our DDaT Data Office. This is your chance to make a lasting impact—protecting sensitive information, advising senior stakeholders, and shaping policies that affect millions.
As a member of the Met, you will also enjoy great benefits including annual leave, civil service pension arrangements, maternity/paternity support, as well as being part of a continuous learning culture.
Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT)
The mission of Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) is to provide the Met with information (and specifically data), communications and technology to help frontline officers and Met staff do their jobs more efficiently, in order to deliver the New Met for London plan. In other words, DDaT is about “passionately delivering trusted technology for precise data driven policing”.
As well as keeping up to speed with developments in technology and making recommendations for new equipment and systems that will help modernise policing, DDaT also comprises the Data Office which:
- Owns and drives the data compliance and analytics agenda.
- Brings together the accountabilities that are currently dispersed across the Met business areas.
- Consolidates and further develops existing Met data and insight services.
- Enables data sharing and collaboration to serve the public and external partners.
DDaT is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We support hybrid working, and the hiring manager will be happy to discuss arrangements for this role.
Job Purpose
We are looking for an experienced individual to fulfil the statutory and independent role of Data Protection Officer for the Metropolitan Police Service and lead Data Protection Officer for Counter Terrorism Policing. Champion privacy and protection for all information held by the Metropolitan Police, ensuring compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018, Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, UK GDPR, and more. Providing strategic and risk-based advice and planning in relation to all aspects of data protection compliance. Fostering a collaborative, innovative, and engaging environment the role holder will be balancing privacy strategy with operational needs and priorities such as AI and Automated Decision Making and support our Board Level Senior Information Risk Owner (Assistant Commissioner). Maintaining and developing active and effective relationships with key internal and external stakeholders is key, including with other police forces, partner agencies, the Information Commission and the Home Office to share and facilitate data protection best practice. You will Oversee the team dedicated to providing data protection assurance and advice and information assurance, overseeing incident, breach, and complaint reporting flows and escalation and monitoring and advising on the undertaking of data protection impact assessments to enable solutions to be developed in a compliant manner and reflect organisational priorities, risks and objectives.
Key Role Responsibilities
- Establish and oversee data protection governance, chair working groups, and set project priorities to ensure a robust, inclusive data assurance, data sharing and information security framework (including on behalf National Counter Terrorism Policing).
- Lead the annual and long-term planning of data protection compliance goals, develop security strategies, and drive continuous improvement through established maturity models and roadmaps.
- Monitor, advise on and influence standards, frameworks, guidance and policies that guide our organisation’s approach to data protection and information risk management.
- Work closely with our Head of Data Rights to ensure individuals’ data protection and information rights and complaints are respected and managed.
- Advise and update senior leadership on evolving privacy, data protection law, and information governance standards.
- Keep up to date with data protection issues and regulatory changes, representing the organisation in national policy discussions and stakeholder communications.
- Leverage organisation-wide resources to design and implement effective privacy and protection programmes.
- Mentor and develop the Data Governance teams, implementing professional growth plans and promoting a culture of excellence and cooperation.
- Shape and direct robust processes for training, advice, and support to ensure privacy standards are consistently met and drive requirements for data literacy at all levels.
- Represent the organisation on external committees and boards, and manage special projects as required.
- Take accountability and advise on information incident responses and attend operational oversight meetings as needed.
- Lead the creation of effective policies and practices for information assurance, coordinate audits and assessments, and maintain excellent relationships with auditors and regulatory bodies.
- Strategically manage information sharing agreements, ensuring they are legally compliant and regularly reviewed to balance accessibility, confidentiality, and integrity.
- Oversee compliance with relevant legislation such as the Data Protection Act 2018, Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, and other statutory requirements.
- Represent us with HM Government, the Information Commissioner, and other regulatory and industry bodies—owning key relationships and coordinating responses to complaints, appeals, and investigations.
Who are we looking for?
- A strategic thinker, effective communicator and skilled collaborator with expertise in the principles of data protection.
- Experienced in leadership, policy development, and stakeholder engagement at a senior level.
- Motivated by the challenge of considering privacy, protection and operational priorities whilst balancing risk and organisational opportunity.
- Ready to champion a culture of respect, collaboration, and excellence.
- Able to talk in the language of operational delivery and articulate risk when engaging with the organisation.
Ready to make a difference?
If you’re inspired to lead, innovate, and protect the future of information in law enforcement, we want to hear from you. Apply today and help us build a safer, more secure Metropolitan Police.
Additional Information
Vetting Clearance
This post requires access to the most sensitive intelligence material on a daily basis. Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV) Developed Vetting (DV) level before taking up the post.
Hybrid Working
Hybrid Working available in line with the Metropolitan Police Service hybrid working policy.
How to apply
To begin your career at the Met, please click the "apply now" button below. The application process requires a comprehensive CV, a Personal Statement (1000 words maximum), and an online application form. In your Personal Statement, you should explain your interest in the position and illustrate how your skills and experiences make you a suitable candidate. Please note that you should not submit two copies of your CV, and ensure that your documents are saved in either PDF or Word format, clearly labelled as CV and/or Personal Statement.
Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 15th October 2025.
Once received, your application will be reviewed against eligibility criteria, following this, your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager. The application review for this vacancy will commence end of October.
Following application review, successful candidates will be invited to interview. Interview dates will commence beginning of November.
www.metpolicecareers.co.uk
