Met Chief to step down

Monday, 14 February, 2022

As Police Life went to press Cressida Dick made her stepping down announcement saying she had been left with “no choice” after London Mayor Sadiq Khan made it clear to her he had no confidence in her leadership.

Home Secretary Ms Patel has the final say on the next appointment, but the process requires her to consult Mr Khan as mayor. He said he would be “working closely” with the home secretary to find a successor. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said she had “served her country with great dedication and distinction over many decades”.

Dick, an experienced counter-terrorism officer, was the first woman to lead London’s 193-year-old police force and had had her contract extended until 2024. The Commissioner has agreed with the Mayor to serve for a short period to enable an orderly handover.

The Mayor thanked Dame Cressida Dick for her 40 years of dedicated public service, with the vast majority spent at the Met.

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