The challenges facing the next Metropolitan Police Commissioner are "stark", says the Home Secretary.
The person Priti Patel chooses to replace Dame Cressida Dick, who quit on Thursday, will face immediate pressure to tackle issues including the force's culture and behaviour of officers.
Writing in the Evening Standard, Mrs Patel said: "Today, as I prepare to begin the process of choosing her successor, I want to reassure Londoners and people across the country of my commitment to selecting the right leader for the largest police force in the UK.
"Leading the Met is a privilege with enormous and unique responsibilities. The first duty is to protect the public, the people and the streets of our capital, making London a safer place to live, work and visit. The Commissioner is a national leader, with a critical national role in respect of overseeing our counter-terrorism capability when there remains a variety of threats from people and groups who wish this country harm.
"This is the biggest leadership role in policing. However, at this time, the challenges facing the new Commissioner are stark.
"Following a series of appalling incidents and too many historical cases involving serving Met Police officers, it is clear that strong and decisive new leadership will be required to restore public confidence in our largest police force. The public in London and across the entire country must once again have confidence in the integrity and professionalism of the police officers who serve them.
"Policing culture and conduct have rightly come under scrutiny. Be in no doubt that a new leader must tackle these institutional issues."
Dame Cressida quit on Thursday after losing the support of London Mayor Sadiq Khan over her plan to reform the force following a string of scandals and accusations of a toxic working culture.
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