Paul Leslie Condon, Baron Condon, CStJ,QPM,DL,FRSA (born 10 March 1947) is a British retired police officer. He was the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police from 1993 to 2000.
His tenure as head of the Metropolitan Police Service was marked by the Stephen Lawrence case, which became a major controversy. The subsequent public Macpherson Report found the force to be "institutionally racist" and that the failure to arrest and successfully prosecute those believed guilty brought about many changes in the way the Metropolitan Police investigated murder within the capital. In 1995, Condon attracted controversy and media attention for stating that most muggers are black.[2][3]
Other challenges Condon faced were sectarian violence over the Irish partition, the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, the millennium celebrations and police corruption, which led to 70 people being charged, 100 police officers suspended and changes to legislation.[citation needed]
In March 2007, Mohammed Al Fayed launched legal action in France against Lord Condon, alleging he deliberately withheld evidence from the French inquiry into the death of the Princess of Wales in 1997.[5] Condon was also named to assist Jamaican Police in their inquiry into the strangulation murder of Pakistan's World Cup cricket coach, Bob Woolmer.[citation needed]
On 27 April 2001, it was announced that a life peerage would be conferred upon him.[9] He was created Baron Condon, of Langton Green in the County of Kent.[10] He sat as a crossbencher in the House of Lords until his retirement on 21 December 2017.[11]
Coat of arms of Paul Condon, Baron Condon
Crest
Salient over two oars in saltire blades upwards Sable a horse Argent unguled maned and tailed Or.
Escutcheon
Sable three piles reversed embowed inwards couped at the apex the base of that in the centre surmounting the bases on those either side Argent each charged with two bars compony counter-compony Azure and Argent and ensigned with an estoile Or.
Supporters
On either side a Meerkat sejant Azure gorged with a chain pendant therefrom a portcullis Or.[12]
Motto
Honour, Service, Courage
Badge
A meerkat sejant Azure supporting with the forefeet a portcullis chained Or.
^Steele, John (12 January 2002). "Anti-mugging squad targets 'pack leaders'". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 19 November 2003. Retrieved 3 October 2008. MORE than a quarter of people accused of crimes in London, ranging from muggings to burglary and fraud, are black, according to new police figures.
