Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick has backed her officers over the chaotic scenes at Wembley Stadium. The commissioner’s comments come after a video emerged of an officer being attacked by a fan who later died.
On Wednesday, Cressida Dick was promoted to Dame Commander (Picture: PA)
The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, who has been under criticism, has received a public service award.
Dame Cressida, Commissioner Dick was honored by Prince Charles on the same day that she supported police officers in their conduct of the Euro 2020 final.
After police were chastised over violent scenes outside Wembley Stadium on Sunday, the new Dame Commander claimed she was “extremely proud” of the unit.
Officers were accused of neglecting to construct a ring of steel around the stadium to prevent people from entering without tickets in the most recent investigation of the Met and her leadership.
Despite the chaotic and violent scenes throughout the city on the day Italy defeated England, London Mayor Sadiq Khan maintained that the police had his complete backing.
On Monday, Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham said that a thorough investigation into what occurred during the game will be conducted, accusing ‘drunken yobs’ of pushing their way in without tickets.
As tens of thousands of supporters descended on the national stadium ahead of the Three Lions’ greatest match in 55 years, there were few police officers to be seen.
The Prince of Wales honored the Metropolitan Police Commissioner at a ceremony at St James’s Palace in central London on Wednesday (Picture: PA)
In recent months, Dame Cressida and the Met have come under criticism, especially in relation to the Sarah Everard case (Picture: PA)
Dame Cressida has also been chastised for the Metropolitan Police Service’s handling of the Sarah Everard case and the police of a vigil held in her honor.
The Commissioner, who was recognized for her public service during a nearly 40-year career in police, dedicated the award to her colleagues at the event on Wednesday at St James’s Palace.
When asked about the criticism of the Euro 2020 final policing, she said, “Of course, there will be a thorough debrief,” adding, “There is an awful lot of incorrect conjecture about what occurred right now.”
‘I am very proud of my officers and command staff.’
Dame Cressida’s remarks come amid speculation over her future, with The Times reporting on Tuesday that she is contemplating extending her tenure at Scotland Yard.
Despite Freedom Day, face masks will be required on London buses and Tubes.
‘I’m extremely focused on my work, I love my job, it’s a tremendous honor – it’s a genuine pleasure to be doing my job, I’m really pleased,’ Dame Cressida said when asked whether she wants to keep her position.
Mr Khan said the force was looking into CCTV and body-worn recordings, and that 19 policemen had been wounded. He said, “What’s also very essential, I say loudly and clearly: the police have my entire trust and full support.”
Ken Marsh, the head of the Metropolitan Police Federation, told Radio 4’s World At One that Wembley security informed police of the intrusion “too late.”
A number of negative incidents have harmed the Met’s image in recent months.
Pc Wayne Couzens, who had already acknowledged rape and kidnapping, pleaded guilty to killing Miss Everard on Friday.
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After police detained a number of protestors during a vigil for her at Clapham Common, the policing of the event was marred by controversy.
A recent investigation into the unsolved 1987 murder of private investigator Daniel Morgan, which concluded that the Met had hidden or ignored failures in the case to preserve its image, accused the police of ‘institutional corruption.’
In 2019, Theresa May’s departure honours included the creation of a dame for the country’s top police officer.
Dame Cressida started her career with the Met in 1983, and following a spell with Thames Valley Police, she had a range of leadership positions in the police response to the 9/11 attacks and the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
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In 2005, she was in command of the operation that resulted in the fatal shooting of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes, who had been mistakenly identified as a possible suicide bomber.
Later, a jury exonerated her of any wrongdoing in his death.
She was also the Met’s first female commissioner in 2017, after serving as the national head for counter-terrorism for three years.
Sir Simon Stevens, the NHS chief executive, was knighted for services to health and the NHS in England during the event on Wednesday.
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UEFA has punished England with four violations after the pandemonium at Wembley Stadium during the Euro 2020 final.
