Met Police Unit Beat Officers

These are the Met Police Beat Officers, the true bread and butter that makes the whole Met sandwich taste delicious.

Before specialist units, before fancy acronyms, before anyone had even heard the words “strategic partnership”, there was the beat officer. The one who knew every shopkeeper, every alleyway, every regular troublemaker, and exactly which café would “accidentally” give you an extra sausage roll if you looked tired enough.

This is the copper who turned up to everything. Burglary, missing dog, neighbour disputes, suspicious blokes hanging about, a drunk in a doorway, and a sudden emergency involving a runaway pram, three pigeons and a furious pensioner. No matter what was happening, the beat officer was already there, notebook in hand, radio crackling, and trying to look like it was all perfectly normal.

This artwork captures the unmistakable tools of the trade. The custodian helmet, the flat cap, the truncheon, the cuffs, the whistle, the keys, the warrant card, and even a very familiar crushed plastic coffee cup. Because the beat officer runs on three things, tea, humour, and the ability to stay calm while the rest of London loses its mind.

Painted by retired Senior Police Artist Jan Szymczuk, also known as Boris, this framed piece is available in two sizes, with your choice of a black or white mount.

A warm, witty tribute to the everyday heroes of the pavements, the ones who kept the city moving, one foot patrol at a time.