Statement [not] issued by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Dame Cressida Dick
Vigil for Sarah Everard at Clapham Common
I feel deeply ashamed at the unacceptable scenes of policing we all witnessed, in widely shared images, from the vigil for Sarah Everard, .../1.
Vigil for Sarah Everard at Clapham Common
I feel deeply ashamed at the unacceptable scenes of policing we all witnessed, in widely shared images, from the vigil for Sarah Everard, .../1.
https://twitter.com/andrewprlevi/status/1370913455558041605
...at Clapham Common yesterday evening.
No police force can command the confidence of the public, or the country’s democratic representatives, in the face of such appalling events. As the leader of the force in question, I fully accept that my position is untenable. /2.
No police force can command the confidence of the public, or the country’s democratic representatives, in the face of such appalling events. As the leader of the force in question, I fully accept that my position is untenable. /2.
I have submitted my resignation to the Home Secretary & have informed the Mayor of London.
The Deputy Commissioner will take over my duties on an acting basis until a successor is found. /3.
The Deputy Commissioner will take over my duties on an acting basis until a successor is found. /3.
I believe that the enquiry, which must take place, will show that the great majority of officers were sincerely attempting correctly to interpret the instructions they had received. The fact that a series of serious errors took place is undeniable. /4.
And is a sign of failure of leadership, for which I take my full share of responsibility.
I must not, & will not, prejudge the outcome of any investigations into potential offences by individual officers. /5.
I must not, & will not, prejudge the outcome of any investigations into potential offences by individual officers. /5.
Tempting though it might be to hide behind the details, & challenges in enforcement, of the law, that would be entirely inappropriate. The Metropolitan Police got it badly wrong. As Commissioner, I must draw the obvious personal consequence. I have done so. /6.
It has been my great privilege to serve as a police officer, since 1983. I am deeply grateful for that & the opportunity to work alongside many fine colleagues. /7.
Finally, it is a matter of particular pain to me that my own failings, & the resulting, entirely understandable outrage, have drawn attention away from Sarah Everard. My thoughts are with her family & friends at this unbearably difficult time. /8.
Her horrific, brutal killing is an unmistakable sign of how far removed we are from the society we aspire to be. We all have a huge task ahead, to address that. The police very much included. /9. End
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