Metropolitan Police Authority appoints new MPS Assistant Commissioner Specialist Crime

47/09
30 June 2009

The Metropolitan Police Authority today appointed Cressida Dick to become the Metropolitan Police Service’s new Assistant Commissioner Specialist Crime.

The role of Assistant Commissioner Specialist Crime provides strategic and effective leadership and vision on homicide, serious and organised crime, including gun crime and economic crime, child abuse and covert policing amongst its duties.

Cressida Dick is currently Deputy Assistant Commissioner Security and Protection in the MPS.

The interviews were conducted by a panel of five MPA members, with Sir Paul Stephenson, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, and Denis O’Connor, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, acting as police advisers. Catherine Crawford, MPA Chief Executive, was also in attendance.

Kit Malthouse, MPA Vice Chair who led the interview panel, said:

“This is a challenging position which requires an officer of outstanding abilities and extensive relevant experience. A commitment to safeguarding all our communities while managing serious criminal investigations and the direction of operational, tactical and strategic policing is integral to the job. Just as important is the ability to work closely with London’s communities, and particular aspects of the role, such as Operation Trident, require the utmost dedication to engendering trust in police actions to tackle serious violence and crime on London’s streets.

“The entire panel was impressed by each candidate’s skills. However, Cressida Dick impressed us with her in depth knowledge and leadership qualities.”

Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said:

"Cressida Dick is a first class police officer who brings with her over 25 years of policing experience both in London and other parts of the country. Cressida is known amongst colleagues for her leadership and professional resilience even in the most testing of circumstances.

“She has held a number of high profile postings while at the Met including heading up Operation Trident within Specialist Crime, and more recently in Specialist Operations where she was Deputy Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for protection and security.

“A key role for her in Specialist Crime will be leading on the move of rape investigation into a new single command. I know that Cressida will apply a high level of commitment and strategic oversight to all her specialist areas as part of this new appointment."

Notes to editors

1.    The Assistant Commissioner Specialist Crime is a member of Management Board and directly accountable to the Commissioner. The post holder’s principal accountabilities are to:

• provide strategic and effective leadership and vision on homicide, serious and organised crime (including gun crime and economic crime), child abuse, covert policing and operational information, intelligence and learning, and will have overall responsibility for forensic services;
• safeguard all communities through professional excellence in managing serious criminal investigations and the direction of operational, tactical and strategic policing (including Operation Trident);
• be ahead of changing national and cross border threats from criminals and criminal networks, and to develop further the capability and capacity to meet those threats;
• provide an effective liaison with colleagues in London boroughs and other parts of the MPS in order to inform intelligence, tasking, analysis, and co-ordination of SCD’s activities;
• deliver covert assets, both human and technical, to deliver operational support to meet both SCD and the MPS’s objectives; and
• provide a corporate level intelligence service for London.

2.    The appointment is for a five year fixed term period at a starting salary of £172,458 plus benefits.

3.    The closing date for receipt of applications was 15 May 2009. Shortlisting took place on 16 June and interviews were held on 30 June 2009.

4.    Cressida Dick is the first permanent female appointment at Assistant Commissioner level.

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