The commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service in London introduced on Thursday that she would step down, underneath stress from the mayor over stories of bullying, misogyny and racism on the drive.
A onetime beat cop within the metropolis’s West Finish, the commissioner, Cressida Dick, turned the primary girl to steer Scotland Yard in its 188-year historical past when she was appointed in 2017.
In an announcement on Thursday, she mentioned it was with “large disappointment that following contact with the mayor of London immediately, it’s clear that the mayor not has adequate confidence in my management to proceed.”
Ms. Dick continued: “He has left me no selection however to step apart as commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service.”
On the request of the mayor, Sadiq Khan, Ms. Dick mentioned she had agreed to remain on for a “quick interval” whereas the service transitioned to a brand new commissioner.
Mr. Khan mentioned on Thursday that he had made clear to Ms. Dick final week the diploma of change that he believes “is urgently required to rebuild the belief and confidence of Londoners within the Met and to root out the racism, sexism, homophobia, bullying, discrimination and misogyny that also exists.”
“I’m not glad with the commissioner’s response,” he mentioned in an announcement.
“On being knowledgeable of this, Dame Cressida Dick has mentioned she will likely be standing apart,” Mr. Khan continued. “It’s clear that the one approach to begin to ship the dimensions of the change required is to have new management proper on the prime of the Metropolitan Police.”
Ms. Dick’s announcement got here amid rising scrutiny of the drive after the kidnapping, rape and homicide of Sarah Everard, a 33-year-old London girl, by a Metropolitan Police Service officer in March 2021. The killing fueled broader issues about misogyny inside policing, and violence towards girls and women.
Lower than two weeks in the past, a report from England’s official police watchdog strengthened issues in regards to the police service. The report described London cops routinely making jokes about rape and exchanging racist messages.
After the report was issued, the police service mentioned that the actions detailed inside it did “not signify the values” of the drive.
“The homicide of Sarah Everard and plenty of different terrible instances not too long ago have, I do know, broken confidence on this unbelievable police service,” Ms. Dick mentioned in her assertion on Thursday. “There’s a lot to do — and I do know that the Met has turned its full consideration to rebuilding public belief and confidence. For that purpose, I’m very optimistic in regards to the future for the Met and for London.”
Supply: NY Times