The former head of UK counter terrorism, Cressida Dick, has been appointed London’s new police chief – the first women ever to hold the job.
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The former head of UK counter terrorism, Cressida Dick, has been appointed London’s new police chief – the first women ever to hold the job.
As Metropolitan Police Commissioner she becomes the most senior officer in Britain. The UK’s three top policing posts are now occupied by women.
The Oxford University graduate faces challenges of multi million pound government spending cuts and terror threats from Islamist extremists.
Congratulations
CressidaDick</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/metpoliceuk">metpoliceuk on your appointment and for being the first woman to break the Met's glass ceiling in 187 years— Akasha Lonsdale (@AkashaLonsdale) February 22, 2017
On the announcement of her appointment, Cressida Dick said: “I could not be more pleased to be appointed as the commissioner. It’s beyond my wildest dreams, an extraordinary privilege. I am very humbled.”
But her appointment has been criticised by the family of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was wrongly shot dead at a London tube station during an operation she led in 2005.
The Brazilian electrician was killed two weeks after the 7/7 London Bombings when he was mistakenly identified as a terror suspect.
A jury later found the Met had broken health and safety laws, but found there was “no personal culpability for Commander Cressida Dick”.
UK’s two other top police jobs are the head of the National Crime agency – Lynne Owens and President of the National Police Chief’s Council – Sara Thornton.
“The message of today’s appointment is that police officers can act with impunity,” said Jean Charles de Menezes’s cousin.
— Rob Wells (@robjwells) February 22, 2017