John Hill (police officer)


Sir John Maxwell Hill was a British police officer.

Early life

Hill was born in Plymouth, the son of a civil servant. He was educated at Plymouth College and joined the Metropolitan Police as a constable in 1933. In 1938 he was selected for Hendon Police College and passed out the following year.

War years

During the Second World War, Hill served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Enlisting in 1942, he was commissioned as a pilot officer in February 1944. In August 1944, he was promoted flying officer. In September 1945, while serving with 622 Squadron, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Post-war career

Hill returned to the Metropolitan Police after the war at the rank of inspector. He was later promoted deputy commander at Scotland Yard in 1959. In 1963, he was promoted commander and appointed second-in-command of No.3 District. In 1964, he transferred to No.1 District and in 1965 he was appointed one of HM Inspectors of Constabulary.
He returned to the Metropolitan Police as Assistant Commissioner "A" in October 1966. In 1968 he became Assistant Commissioner "D", and on 1 April 1972 he was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1969.
On 3 December 1972, he became HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary. He was knighted in the 1974 New Year Honours and retired in 1975.

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