London’s First Black Police Commander: Victor Olisa

Victor Olisa

Mr Victor Olisa, 52 year old Nigerian is the first black police commander for the Bexley local council in London.

Olisa says that his main focus is on his job rather than being the “first black” to hold such position.

Olisa in the wake of his appointment told reporters that his ethnicity has not affected his performance. Pointing out that “Policing runs in the family and I have always wanted to be a police officer and ethnicity does not affect that.”

He sees himself first of all as a police officer. “I consider myself first and foremost a police officer. If (being black) is an advantage, then brilliant; If it’s a disadvantage, I will have to deal with that, I can’t hide it.”

He has this to say on the issue of racism in the force “I am impeccably against anyone who uses racist language or behaves in a racist manner. This will not be allowed under my watch…I believe that everyone should be treated with dignity wherever they come from.’’  

His carrier began at Surrey Police in 1982 from where he was tranferred as a detective inspector in the Fraud Squad to the City of London Police in 1990.

And in 2006 he was again transferred to the Metropolitan as a superintendent in southwalk Council where he has been till recent appointment.