Britains top counter-terrorism police officer Mark Rowley will retire in March, the Metropolitan Police Service said, after a 31-year career in which he led efforts to curb a rise in militant attacks. According to Reuters, Rowley was the public face of the polices counter-terrorism operations as attacks in Britain soared to their highest ever level last year, and he spearheaded the response to deadly incidents such as the London Bridge attack and the Manchester concert bombing. Interior Minister Amber Rudd thanked Rowley for "his commitment to tackling the terrorist threat" during his time as national policing lead for counter-terrorism, a role he has held since 2014. Rowley joined the police in 1987. Before becoming Britains counter-terrorism chief, he had responsibilities for tackling organized crime and sexual violence.