The Metropolitan Police has announced that Cressida Dick will be the force's first female commissioner in its 187-year history.
Ms Dick will take over as Britain's most senior police officer it was revealed on Wednesday (February 22) to replace the outgoing Sir Bernard who has served in the top spot since 2011.
The 56-year-old was chosen by the home secretary Amber Rudd with the help of Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
However, Ms Dick has been embroiled in controversy as the officer in charge of the operation that resulted in the death of the innocent Jean Charles de Menezes.
De Menezes, a 27-year-old Brazilian nation, was shot in the head by police multiple times at Stockwell tube station in south London in 2005.
Officers mistakenly believed him to be a suicide bomber.
Ms Dick was the senior officer that day but a court cleared her of any personal blame.
Speaking about the new appointment, Ms Dick said: “I am thrilled and humbled. This is a great responsibility and an amazing opportunity.
“I'm looking forward immensely to protecting and serving the people of London and working again with the fabulous women and men of the Met.
“Thank you so much to everyone who has taught me and supported me along the way."
Exceptional leader
The announcement was made by the Home Office on Wednesday afternoon and the home secretary praised an “exceptional leader.”
Currently working as director general at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ms Dick has now been appointed by the Queen after the home secretary's recommendation.
After joining the police in 1983, Ms Dick has been the assistant commissioner responsible for non-terror serious crime and later counter-terrorism and extremism.
Working security for London 2012
She also led the national security operations during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics.
Mr Khan said in a statement: “She has already had a long and distinguished career, and her experience and ability has shone throughout this process.
“On behalf of all Londoners, I warmly welcome Cressida to the role and I very much look forward to working with her to keep our capital safe and protected.
“This is a historic day for London and a proud day for me as Mayor.
“The Metropolitan Police do an incredible job, working hard with enormous dedication every single day to keep Londoners safe, so for me it was absolutely essential that we found the best possible person to take the Met forward over the coming years and I am confident that we have succeeded.”
Home secretary Amber Rudd said: “Cressida Dick is an exceptional leader, and has a clear vision for the future of the Metropolitan Police and an understanding of the diverse range of communities it serves.
“She now takes on one of the most demanding, high-profile and important jobs in UK policing, against the backdrop of a heightened terror alert and evolving threats from fraud and cyber crime.
“Cressida is absolutely the right choice to lead the Metropolitan Police as this government continues its work to reform the police, and I look forward to working with her to make a real difference to policing in the capital."
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