Policewoman involved in de Menezes shooting promoted

By Michael Holden

LONDON (Reuters) - A senior officer involved in the fatal shooting of a Brazilian mistaken for a suicide bomber on a London underground train was promoted on Monday 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.