Sir David Veness served as Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security from its creation in 2005 until June 2009. This role carries responsibility for U.N. operations globally. Prior to this appointment, he was Assistant Commissioner (Specialist Operations) New Scotland Yard from 1994-2005.
He joined the Metropolitan Police as a cadet in 1964 and as a constable in 1966. In the course of his police career he specialized in crisis management, serious crime investigations, hostage negotiation and counter-terrorism. Sir David was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge (MA, LLM) and attended the Royal College of Defense Studies 1990.
Sir David was awarded Queens Police Medal in 1994, appointed CBE in 2000, and was Knighted in 2004.
Expertise:
Counterterrorism and counter-proliferation threat analysis
Critical infrastructure risk assessments
Crisis and risk management
Experience:
Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security, Department of Safety and Security, United Nations (2005 – 2009)
Assistant Commissioner, Specialist Operations, New Scotland Yard (1994 – 2005)