BOROUGH commander David Musker has been promoted and is to leave Croydon.
The Chief Superintendent has been elevated to Commander and will depart to take up his new role in the "near future", the Met said.
It is understood his replacement could be announced by the end of the week.
Chief Supt Musker was first posted to Croydon on the evening of August 8, 2011 - to lead the police response to the riots - and was made borough commander a month later, replacing Adrian Roberts.
Overall crime has dropped in each of his three years in charge - most recently by 9.5 per cent.
He has also had to contend with significant cuts to police funding which last year left the borough with only one 24-hour station.
Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell said the police chief had done an "amazing job" in difficult circumstances.
He told the Advertiser: "He's the type of old-fashioned copper Croydon needed, and I mean that in a complimentary way.
"I think the crime figures published at the end of the financial year speak for themselves.
"He was originally deployed here on the evening of the riots, so he came at probably the most difficult moment you could imagine.
"I think he has made a real difference and is very well regarded. His is a big pair of shoes to fill."
As well as having to repair public trust following the riots, Chief Supt Musker has faced a number of challenges over the last three years, including an explosion at Croydon police station in March 2012 which injured seven people, and became known for his no nonsense approach to policing.
Mr Barwell said his replacement should possess the same qualities.
"I think it's very important we get someone like him," he said.
"Chief Superintendent Musker had already led a significant borough before he came to Croydon.
"It's crucial we get someone with that level of experience because Croydon is one of the more challenging boroughs the Met has.
"This is not a first borough commander job. You need someone with experience and ideally someone with a good background in public order policing who can address some of the issues we have.
"If you look at the things we want to deliver over the next few years, in terms of delivering Westfield, getting John Lewis here, and making sure people feel safe in the town centre, it's a very important appointment."
Chief Supt Musker was told of his promotion last month. While his departure date has not been confirmed, a replacement could be announced this week.
A police spokesman said: "The Metropolitan Police Service has appointed three new Commanders, one of who is Chief Superintendent Dave Musker from Croydon.
"He will be promoted to a new role in the near future. A new borough commander will be posted to replace him at Croydon."
Cllr Mark Watson, cabinet member for safety and justice, said: "Whoever comes in needs to have the trust of Croydon's different communities. They need to know the police are on their side and really supporting them. That's a very important part of the role. We need to go back to policing by consent with the communities on-side.
"Croydon is incredibly diverse. I don't think the borough commander needs to be from one particular community, but they do need to understand how to work with all those communities we have."
