Joined the police in 1974 and served in Manchester, Leicestershire and Lancashire, before joining the Metropolitan Police in London in 2000. During 32 years police service, Tarique Ghaffur has gained extensive operational and strategic experience, including commanding the biggest Basic Command Unit in the United Kingdom, Westminster Borough, as well as conducting major investigations, reviews and enquiries. He currently holds the rank of Assistant Commissioner, with responsibility for Capital City policing, including firearms, public order, traffic, communications, vice and contingency planning. In 2006, Tarique Ghaffur was appointed the Security Co-ordinator for the London Olympic Games in 2012.
Tarique Ghaffur is currently the highest-ranking Asian and Muslim Police Officer in the UK and is acknowledged as a ‘champion’ of equality and diversity. He is a positive role model and has received a number of community awards, including the House of Lords High Achievement Award 2003, as well as being named in both the Power 100 list of the top 100 public servants and Asian Power 100 list. Tarique Ghaffur has an MA in Criminology and an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. In 2001 he received the Queen's Police Medal and in June 2004 was awarded the CBE.
Tarique Ghaffur has written a number of influential articles on policing and communities, as well as delivering a considerable number of international, national and local presentations on a range of policing issues. He is married with two children and has a strong interest in Asian music and sports - particularly squash - where he has won numerous awards and represented the police service at the national level.