New chief for Scotland Yard

London's police force has a new chief. Sir Paul Stephenson was named as the new Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Britain's top policing job.

London's police force has a new chief. Sir Paul Stephenson was named on Wednesday as the new Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Britain's top policing job. He has been deputy commissioner since 2005.

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Stephenson's predecessor, Sir Ian Blair, resigned in October after a string of problems including the shooting death of a commuter, Jean Charles de Menezes, who police mistakenly thought was a terrorist. Blair stepped down after London Mayor Boris Johnson said he had lost confidence in the city's top police commander. Protecting Britain from terrorism and securing London's 2012 Olympic Games will be top priorities for the incoming chief. Youth violence and the potential for a spike in crime fueled by the recession also are concerns.