The Metropolitan Police Authority has provisionally chosen four applicants for the rank of deputy assistant commissioner.

They are: Chris Allison, commander in the City of Westminster; Cressida Dick, commander, of the specialist crime directorate; Alf Hitchcock, temporary DAC in charge of territorial policing, and Janet Williams, commander of the directorate of strategy, modernisation and performance.

The officers will be appointed to their new posts over the coming months, as positions become available.

Until then they will remain in their current posts on their existing terms and conditions.

A panel of five MPA members interviewed the officers with the commissioner, Sir Ian Blair acting as advisor.

Panel chairman Len Duvall said: "The successful candidates displayed the strategic knowledge and operational skills necessary to tackle the important role of deputy assistant commissioner.

"The position demands officers of the highest quality and they all made an excellent impression on the panel and displayed the key abilities to fulfil the challenge.

"London relies on the expertise and professionalism of everyone within the Metropolitan Police Service to make our city a safer place.

"Strong leadership has a vital part to play, ensuring that policies and infrastructure are fit for purpose and evolve in response to changing situations.

"Clearly there are some sensitive and unprecedented circumstances involved. Candidates were chosen on the basis of their application and ability.

"The MPA would not prejudice an officer's fair promotion prospects by making assumptions about future disciplinary action.

"Officers will not be posted into new posts until outstanding issues are resolved."

Sir Ian said: "Effective leadership is vital to the delivery of successful policing in London and the role of deputy assistant commissioner in the Met is always a challenging one.

"It demands strong leadership skills combined with sound policing experience at all levels.

"There was a strong field of applicants and I welcome the officers who have succeeded in promotion to these strategically important roles and wish them well in their future posts."