UK policewoman involved in de Menezes shooting promoted

LONDON, Feb 19 (Reuters) A senior officer involved in the fatal shooting of a Brazilian mistaken for a suicide bomber on a London underground train was promoted today to a top policing job, looking after the royal family's safety.

Cressida Dick was in charge of the operation that led to Jean Charles de Menezes, 27, being shot seven times in the head on a Tube train at Stockwell station in south London in July 2005.

His family said they are ''disgusted'' by Dick's promotion.

The shooting came amid frenzy in London over the threat of suicide bombers.

Two weeks earlier four British Islamists had blown themselves up on three underground trains and a bus, killing 52 people, and detectives say that the day before the shooting five other suspects had attempted to carry out copycat attacks.

The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), which oversees the London force, said, despite ''unprecedented circumstances'', Dick had been promoted to the rank of Deputy Assistant Commissioner.

Her job, which begins on March 19, has responsibility for the protection of the royal family and other senior individuals.

''Having considered these circumstances, we are satisfied that our decision to confirm promotion is the right one to take at this time,'' said Len Duvall, the MPA's chairman.

''The MPA is keenly aware that the people of London must have confidence in the police who work, in what are often difficult circumstances, to protect them.

''By confirming this promotion we are making it clear that the officer retains our full confidence.'' The provisional selection of Dick for promotion, announced in September, was described as ''just one more slap in the face'' by the family of de Menezes, who said they were ''absolutely disgusted and outraged'' by the decision.

Last July it was reported by the BBC that the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), had recommended that Dick face criminal action for her handling of the operation.

However, prosecutors decided no police officers involved in the incident should face action. The Crown Prosecution Service instead ruled that the London force as a whole should be prosecuted under health and safety laws.

Britain's top court, the House of Lords, will rule on a judicial review of the CPS decision not to hold any individual officers responsible after an appeal by de Menezes's family.

The full IPCC report into the shooting will not be made public until that legal action is completed.

REUTERS AKJ RN2025