Dick resigned after public criticism of Sadiq Khan for handling a group of police officers based at the Charing Cross police station who had shared racist, homophobic and misogynistic messages on WhatsApp. Other scandals, including the brutal policing of a vigil for Sarah Everard, who was murdered by a current Met officer, are believed to have contributed to the decision. Her resignation in February came hours after she said she had no intention of resigning. In a statement, Khan said: “I would like to thank Dame Cressida Dick again for nearly four decades of dedicated public service, with the vast majority spending at the Met, where she was the first woman to become a commissioner. In particular, I commend her for her recent work that has helped us to combat violent crime in London. “ He said he would not support the appointment of a new commissioner who “does not understand or recognize the magnitude of the challenge facing policing”. “I am now working with the interior minister to hire a new commissioner,” he said. “I was clear that I would not support the appointment of anyone who does not understand and recognize the magnitude of the challenge facing policing. “Restoring the trust and confidence of the communities of London is vital to policing by consensus and to making our city safer.” Dick will take unused annual leave until the last day of her official employment on April 24. It is understood he will receive severance pay of £ 166,000, the majority of which is related to a six-month notice period plus an additional two-month salary payment. On Friday, Dick warned against “politicizing policing”, saying it was “a threat not only to policing but to confidence in the entire criminal justice system”. “The current politicization of policing is a threat not only to policing but also to confidence in the entire criminal justice system,” he wrote in a letter to London. “Operational independence from local and central government is vital to an effective democracy and is a model respected around the world. We must all treasure it and protect it. “ The Deputy Commissioner, Sir Stephen House, will act as Commissioner as the recruitment process continues. It is expected to last up to five months.
