Formerly the Met’s head of counter-terrorism, Dick currently works at the Foreign Office but is returning to Scotland Yard where she’ll take over from Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe as Britain’s most senior police officer.
In her new role she will work alongside Mr Khan to implement his recently published Police and Crime Plan which sets out how the Met and City Hall will keep Londoners safe. She will also have to oversee a new round of swinging budget cuts which is forcing changes to how the Met operates.
Since her appointment was announced on 22 February, the Met has had to deal with the terror attack on Westminster without a full-time leader.
Ms Dick today paid tribute to deputy commissioner Craig Mackey and counter-terror lead Mark Rowley “for the way in which they have demonstrated such capable and compassionate leadership” in the aftermath of the attack.
Talking about her new post, she said: “It is a great honour and privilege for me to be taking up this role. I am looking forward to leading what I believe to be the world’s best police service.”
Mayor Khan commented: “Our Metropolitan Police do an incredible job, working hard with enormous dedication every single day to keep Londoners safe, so it is vital that they have the best possible leader and I know we have found her in Cressida Dick.
“Cressida has already had a long and distinguished career, and brings enormous experience and expertise to lead the Met through some challenging times. I am very much looking forward to working with her to keep our capital safe and protected.”
City Hall says Dick has declined the offered salary of £270,648, the same as paid to Sir Bernard, and has voluntarily reduced her pay to £230,000.
Unmesh Desai, Labour’s London Assembly Policing Spokesperson, said: “We warmly welcome Cressida Dick to her new role as Met Commissioner. Recent times have shown us that policing London is one of the toughest jobs in the World.
“On the whole we live in a very safe city, but in the face of challenges such as terrorism, increasing knife crime and the government’s cuts to the police budget, the new Commissioner will face pressures different to those of her predecessors.
“We have every confidence in her capacity to meet the challenges ahead and are certain that her experience makes her best placed to ensure the safety of Londoners.”
