Out Commissioner of London Met Police Talks About Changing Attitudes to Gay People

Cressida Dick, the first female and first openly gay Commissioner of London Metropolitan Police, has talked with the BBC’s Desert Island Discs about how attitudes have changed over her three decades of service.

“(Attitudes have changed) enormously, as it has for women as well.

“I think particularly for gay men, it’s changed enormously in that time.

“I would be naive if I thought it’s all plain sailing for everybody, but what I can say is that if I take you to see my response teams, there are people of all shapes and sizes, and lots of openly gay people.

“The guys and girls don’t think twice about it,” she adds.

“I want everybody to thrive, I want people from all backgrounds—ethnic backgrounds, religious backgrounds, sexuality, gender—to feel the Met is their Met, and that it’s a safe and good place for people to come to work. And I think it is.”

Dick was appointed Commissioner of London Metropolitan Police in 2017, and shortly after confirmed she was in a relationship with a woman to the Evening Standard.

When talking about LGBT+ visibility, she told the BBC: “Sometimes people say to me that they think it’s important, but to be honest, for me, I think it’s one of the least interesting things about me! I happen to love Helen—she’s my partner. On we go.

“The fact that I am seen as a bit different in some respects I realise on some occasions makes young people think ‘I could have a go’ or ‘I might try, I feel different, but I might try.’

“I know that lots and lots of women and men around the world aren’t able to do a job that they love and be themselves, and there’s a lot more for us to do.”

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