Former Scotland Yard Commander joins JADE Investigator advisory team in the UK Jan 22 2010

David Johnston QPM, a former Commander responsible for Homicide and Serious Crime at Scotland Yard, London, has joined the JADE Investigator advisory team in the UK. David retired from the London Metropolitan Police Service in March 2008 after 30 years of distinguished service. He is now the Chairman of Commander Solutions Ltd, recently established to deliver innovative security solutions and consultancy on a range of law enforcement and crisis management issues.

During his extensive police career, David worked in two UK police forces, carrying out duties in the investigative fields including Homicide and serious crime investigations, crisis management solutions to private and public bodies, International Hostage rescue and negotiation and development and delivery of national IT systems to increase effective investigations.

David lead a number of high profile investigations to successful conclusion which included, the ongoing investigation of ‘Adam' a young child killed in a ritualistic murder, the murder of Damilola Taylor and the death of Bob Woolmer the England Cricket coach who died in Jamaica. He led the initial police investigative response to the 7th July bombings in London and provided the ongoing delivery of forensic mortuary, family liaison and casualty bureau throughout this incident.

David was a national Hostage negotiator for 11 years and has worked at government level in Cabinet Office Briefings (COBRa) advising government on a number of high profile international kidnaps of British citizens including the deployment of negotiators to seek the safe release of hostages.

As a national advisor on serious crime he was the Chair of the European Homicide Working group and vice chair of the UK National Homicide working group which advised government and law enforcement agencies on best practice, IT solutions and undertook high profile advice and reviews. This work included senior advisor to several European and African countries on development and included the recent high profile serial killing of five women in Ipswich.

As a previous head of Special Branch, David has acquired a wide and deep knowledge of national and international terrorism and has worked with relevant intelligence agencies on a number of national security matters.

Prior to joining the police service, David served with the Commando Brigade for 7 years and undertook service in Northern Europe, Northern Ireland, Belize and America.

David holds an HNC and Masters degree in Public Sector Management and a post graduate diploma in criminology from Cambridge University. He is a patron of the National Victims association (a charity which helps those who have lost someone in a homicide) and a School Governor.

In 2008 David was received the Queen's Police Medal (QPM) for services to policing.