The new borough commander for Croydon has been named as Chief Superintendant Dave Musker.

Musker’s predecessor, Chief Superintendant Adrian Roberts, left his position after last month’s riots when he was asked by the Metropolitan Police to lead the review into the police response to the disorder. After he has concluded the riot response review, Roberts will be involved in overseeing the policing of the London 2012 Olympics.

The Croydon Guardian reported today that Musker  – previously borough commander for Wandsworth – was named at yesterday’s meeting of the Croydon Community Police Consultative Group. At the meeting, Roberts said:

“I honestly feel Croydon is going in the right direction.

“He will build on what we have achieved. He believes in young people.

“He has proved himself in Wandsworth and if I had been given the choice I don’t think I could have picked anyone else.”

Roberts added: “He is one of the best public order trained officers in the Met.”

It was revealed at the meeting that Musker was brought into Croydon to supervise handling of the rioting after the violence escalated. The Metropolitan Police was criticised for the decision to pull Roberts out of the centre of things in order to lead tactical operations at Scotland Yard a day before the riots. This meant he was removed from Croydon for five days during the riots aftermath.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed to EastLondonLines that Musker will start his new position at Croydon on September 26. Musker joined the Metropolitan Police in 1989. He holds a doctorate in plant biochemistry and has worked in Hounslow, Streatham, Brixton and Wandsworth.