Meet Daniel Cooper
Kingston has a new Safer Neighbourhoods Superintendent – Daniel Cooper – and for him, the role is more than a professional posting. It’s personal.
Superintendent Cooper joins the South West Basic Command Unit with nearly 20 years of policing experience across London, spanning frontline response, neighbourhood policing, command roles and major public order operations. His career has taken him across the capital, but Kingston has always been home.
“I was born in Kingston borough, raised in Kingston borough and continue to live on the borough today,” he said. “Having such strong local roots gives me a genuine understanding of the communities we serve and a personal commitment to making Kingston and the wider South West area safe places to live, work and visit”
A career built on frontline experience
Before joining the South West Basic Command Unit, Superintendent Cooper spent five years as Chief Inspector for Response Policing across Croydon, Sutton and Bromley. He led teams dealing with emergency calls, serious incidents, safeguarding concerns and the constant demands of 24/7 policing.
His earlier roles include three years in MO12 Command and Control, helping oversee the deployment of police resources across London and supporting the response to major incidents and critical events. Before that, he served as a Response Sergeant in Lambeth, covering Brixton and neighbouring communities – one of London’s busiest and most complex policing environments.
Superintendent Cooper also brings strong neighbourhood policing credentials, having served as Safer Neighbourhoods Sergeant for Hounslow Town Centre. There, he worked closely with residents, councillors, businesses and partner agencies to tackle anti-social behaviour, build confidence and address local crime concerns.
Extensive public order expertise
Alongside his neighbourhood and response experience, the Superintendent holds both Bronze and Silver Public Order Public Safety qualifications. He has commanded operations at Twickenham Stadium, Selhurst Park, and The Championships, Wimbledon, as well as major demonstrations, protests and significant public events across London and nationally.
A commitment to collaboration
In his new role, Superintendent Cooper emphasises the importance of partnership working and community trust.
“Strong neighbourhood policing is built on genuine collaboration,” he said. “By working together, sharing information, understanding local concerns and developing collective solutions, we can achieve the best outcomes for our communities and continue to make Kingston a borough of which we can all be proud.”
He encourages residents to sign up to MET ENGAGE, the Met’s community messaging service, to stay informed about local issues and policing updates.
Looking ahead
While acknowledging the financial pressures facing the Metropolitan Police, Superintendent Cooper tells us “I remain committed to ensuring that we focus our resources where they will have the greatest impact, working closely with our partners and communities to keep Kingston safe and maintain public confidence in policing.”
With deep local roots, broad operational experience and a clear commitment to community partnership, Kingston’s new Safer Neighbourhoods Superintendent brings both expertise and heart to the role. CDRA already works closely with our Safer Neighbourhoods Team in Chessington and Malden Rushett, and we look forward to continuing that partnership under the leadership of Superintendent Cooper as we help shape a safer future for the borough.
