Camden and Islington will get their fourth borough commander in just 12 months, with Ch Supt Raj Kohli is set to take over from Det Ch Supt Iain Raphael in January.

Det Ch Supt Raphael has been at the helm in the combined borough command since April. His formal predecessor Det Ch Supt Catherine Roper stepped down in the early part of this year, and Supt Nick Davies became interim borough commander between their two reigns.

The current top cop for both boroughs is taking a break for a three-month strategic command course, which could lead to further promotions within the police. This was also the reason behind Det Ch Supt Roper’s departure.

Ch Supt Kohli was previously a superintendent in Camden. He joined the Met in 1992 and initially spent time working in Brent. He joined Camden Police a decade ago before a policing role involved in the 2012 Olympics in east London.

He is the highest ranking Sikh officer in the Met.

Camden and Islington merged their policing services in January 2017. It was a pilot, which has been spread across London with further mergers taking place.

Announcing the news on Twitter, he wrote: “Delighted and honoured to be appointed BCU Commander for Camden/Islington. I am looking forward to working with colleagues, partners and the public in continuing to make this the best place in London to live, play and work.”

But Camden councillor and member of the London Assembly’s police and crime committee Sian Berry (Green, Highgate) said the fourth change in a year could lead to problems.

She said: “Local borough policing has seen so much upheaval recently, and it’s a blow to see another change at the top in Camden and Islington in quick succession.

“We hear a lot about the lack of officers on the ground but this constant shuffling in senior posts seems to suggest London is suffering a shortage at the top level too.”

Ms Berry, who is also the national Green Party co-leader, added: “The government should be stepping in and giving us the real resources we need to have more stability in policing.”