"Dame Cressida Dick DBE QPM, was effectively constructively dismissed."

The Special Commission on the review on the departure of the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis 

The Chief Police Officers Staff Association (CPOSA) welcomes Sir Thomas Winsor’s findings that the former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, Dame Cressida Dick DBE QPM, was effectively constructively dismissed by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, following a lamentable series of errors by City Hall. 

CPOSA is calling for an urgent response from government to ensure Mayors and Police and Crime Commissioners have an acute understanding of their role, powers and responsibilities when working with police leaders. 

The Chair of CPOSA, Chief Constable John Robins QPM DL said: 

“Sir Thomas’ detailed report makes for shocking reading and CPOSA believes it is time for a reset in the way Mayors and PCCs approach their relationship with Chief Constables. 

“In most cases the relationship between a Mayor or PCC and the Chief Constable is productive and benefits the communities they both serve. However, there are clear legislative provisions that must be followed if that relationship breaks down, which clearly did not happen in this case. 

“It is clear in legislation that Chief Constables are not the employee of a Mayor or PCC.  Mayors and PCCs should not think they ‘employ’ the Chief Constable”, they do not. The misconception that a PCC or Mayor can ‘dismiss’ a Chief Constable at their will is a profound mistake. This was never the will of Parliament when the legislation was introduced. Ending the appointment of a Chief Constable can and should only happen in accordance with the legislation and the options that it provides to do so. 

“Dame Cressida Dick CBE QPM is one of the most highly regarded and respected leaders modern policing has had. She certainly is the outstanding policing leader of her generation. London, Londoners and the Metropolitan Police Service have lost an exemplary leader whose departure from policing extends well beyond the boroughs of the capital.

 “CPOSA has and continues to stand by Dame Cressida in the way she was treated and will not shy away from tackling injustice in any form. It is right that this report lays out the injustice for all to see.”