The first woman to lead the Met faced a career of triumphs and tragedies

Wars & Conflicts · Published 16 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: From managing security for the 2012 Olympics to overseeing the response to fatal shootings, Cressida Dick’s tenure as London’s police commissioner was defined by intense scrutiny. Her leadership navigated unprecedented crises, ranging from policing protests to managing the fallout of systemic failures within the Metropolitan Police Service.

Cressida Dick’s ascent through the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) was marked by historic milestones. After joining as a constable in 1983, she became the first woman to hold the rank of assistant commissioner in 2009 and, eventually, the first female commissioner when appointed in 2017. Her career also saw her serve as a high-ranking officer in the Thames Valley Police and as a hostage negotiator.

However, her leadership was frequently shadowed by high-stakes controversies. In 2005, as gold commander, she oversaw the operation that resulted in the fatal shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes. While a 200 and 7 trial cleared her of personal culpability, the Met was found to have made catastrophic errors. Later, as commissioner, she faced criticism over the handling of the Sarah Everard vigil in 2021, where the Met arrested attendees for alleged COVID-19 violations—an action later ruled by the High Court in March 2022 to have violated human rights.

Her tenure also grappled with institutional challenges. Dick navigated significant budget cuts that saw officer numbers fall below 35,000 in 2018, and she defended controversial tactics like the use of live facial recognition and 'tactical contact' to ram mopeds. Ultimately, her time in office ended in April 2022 after losing the confidence of Mayor Sadiq Khan following concerns regarding the force's response to racism and misogyny, including the handling of the David Carrick case.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The London police force that grew from a small group of constables into a national giant
• From mathematics graduate to the head of London's Metropolitan Police
• From policing streets to the halls of federal power
• A career defined by vocal dissent and a focus on violence against women
• The 2010 manhunt for Raoul Moat remains the largest operation in modern British history
• The secret patents that allowed a pistol to clone itself globally
• Why do people pull others down when they try to succeed and escape?
• The hidden evolution of the black belt from Go boards to dojos
• The secret high command of America's clandestine wars
• The Cold War tactical nuclear weapon that infantrymen could carry into the field
• Did Britain sacrifice Coventry to protect the secret of the Enigma code?
• The engineering paradox of making a 30-ton steel beast swim

More in War and military · More in Wars & Conflicts · Latest · A–Z · All topics