After much criticism of the London police and their leadership, Metropolitan Police Chief Cressida Dick has announced her retirement. thick had told the BBC on Thursday morning, she has “absolutely no intention of leaving”. Then on Thursday evening she shared in a statement saying she had to step aside “with great regret” after losing the backing of London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Khan “left her no choice”.
Khan has previously expressed doubts about Dick’s approach to the necessary culture change in the police force. In her statement, the 61-year-old now admitted that the police had to rebuild a lot of the trust that had been lost among the population. Khan thanked the officer, who has served 40 years in the police force and four years as chief, for her services.
Just last week, a police investigation revealed major abuses. The Metropolitan Police have been repeatedly criticized in recent months – among other things, due to the discriminatory or misogynistic behavior of some police officers or because of the harsh treatment of demonstrators. Last year, a police officer murdered 33-year-old Sarah Everard.
There is also criticism of the handling of the Scotland Yard investigators with the lockdown parties in Downing Street. The investigation into this political scandal involving Tory Prime Minister Boris Johnson is still ongoing.
Dick was the first woman to hold a post in Britain’s largest police force. According to media reports, she is to remain in office for a while to enable an orderly handover. It is not yet clear who will follow her.