Denis O'Connor (Policeman)

Sir Denis O'Connor CBE
Sir Denis O'Connor in 2012
Chief Inspector of Constabulary
In office 11 May 2009 – 31 July 2012
Preceded by	Sir Ronnie Flanagan
Succeeded by	Tom Winsor
Personal details
Born	(1949-05-21) 21 May 1949 (age 67)
Profession	Police officer

Sir Denis Francis O'Connor, CBE, QPM (born 21 May 1949) was Chief Inspector of Constabulary. He was appointed on 11 May 2009 and retired on 31 July 2012.

Born in Ireland, O'Connor's police career began in 1968 as a constable with the Metropolitan Police. He left in 1970 and rejoined as a graduate entrant in 1974. In 1985 he was appointed as a Superintendent in Surrey Police and returned in 1988 as a Chief Superintendent to the Metropolitan Police Service. He rose to the rank of commander in the MPS. In 1991, he was appointed as an Assistant Chief Constable with Surrey Police before transferring to Kent Police where he was appointed as Deputy Chief Constable between 1993 and 1997. In 1997, he became a Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner and from 2000 until 2004 was appointed Chief Constable of Surrey Police.

From 2004, he was one of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary, and became Acting Chief Inspector on 1 December 2008. On 28 March 2012 the Home Secretary announced Sir Denis would retire on 31 July after more than three years in the role.

He is trustee of the Surrey Care Trust in Woking Surrey, which provides education, training, skills and volunteering opportunities to those who need motivation or a second chance in life. The charity also runs a fund to help those facing hardship throughout Surrey.

He was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in 1996. He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2002, and was knighted in the 2010 Birthday Honours.