Chris Allison (police officer)
Encyclopedia
Christopher John Allison, MBE is a senior officer of the Metropolitan Police Service
in London
, United Kingdom
. He is currently serving as Assistant Commissioner
, and is the National Olympic Security Coordinator for the 2012 Summer Olympics
and Paralympics
. He has been involved in the policing of public order events for much of his career and was previously Assistant Commissioner for Central Operations
.
, and was promoted through the ranks. In 1996 he became a Chief Inspector at Hammersmith
, where his responsibilities included the policing of Queens Park Rangers F.C.
matches. He served as staff officer to the then deputy commissioner Sir John Stevens
between 1998 and 2000. In 2000 he was appointed Divisional Commander at Paddington
, and was promoted to Chief Superintendent in 2001. In 2002 he was promoted to Commander, and appointed Borough Commander for the City of Westminster
.
Allison is a member of several MPS Public Order Cadres including the Public Order Command Cadre, and in this capacity has commanded police operations at major incidents and events in London. He was the Gold Commander in the aftermath of the 7 July 2005 London bombings
, for which he was awarded the MBE
in the 2006 New Year Honours list. Allison was also the Association of Chief Police Officers
' lead on alcohol and licensing matters between 2004 and 2008, with responsibility for co-ordinating policy of police forces nationally.
In 2008 Allison was appointed temporary Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for Central Operations, replacing Tarique Ghaffur
when he stepped down. He was appointed Assistant Commissioner in May 2009, and given responsibility for planning the policing of the 2012 Olympics. He held this position until the end of 2010, taking up a full-time role leading security for the Olympics in January 2011.
Metropolitan Police Service
The Metropolitan Police Service is the territorial police force responsible for Greater London, excluding the "square mile" of the City of London which is the responsibility of the City of London Police...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. He is currently serving as Assistant Commissioner
Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, usually just Assistant Commissioner , is the third highest rank in London's Metropolitan Police, ranking below Deputy Commissioner and above Deputy Assistant Commissioner. There are usually four officers in the rank...
, and is the National Olympic Security Coordinator for the 2012 Summer Olympics
2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012...
and Paralympics
2012 Summer Paralympics
The 2012 Summer Paralympic Games will be the fourteenth Paralympics and will take place between 29 August and 9 September 2012. The Games will be held in London, United Kingdom after the city was successful with its bid for the Paralympics and Summer Olympic Games.Even though 2012 will be London's...
. He has been involved in the policing of public order events for much of his career and was previously Assistant Commissioner for Central Operations
Central Operations
Central Operations is a major directorate of the London Metropolitan Police Service that provides operational support to the rest of the service...
.
Career
Allison joined the Metropolitan Police in 1984, initially serving as a constable in WalthamstowWalthamstow
Walthamstow is a district of northeast London, England, located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is situated north-east of Charing Cross...
, and was promoted through the ranks. In 1996 he became a Chief Inspector at Hammersmith
Hammersmith
Hammersmith is an urban centre in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in west London, England, in the United Kingdom, approximately five miles west of Charing Cross on the north bank of the River Thames...
, where his responsibilities included the policing of Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
matches. He served as staff officer to the then deputy commissioner Sir John Stevens
John Stevens, Baron Stevens of Kirkwhelpington
John Arthur Stevens, Baron Stevens of Kirkwhelpington KStJ QPM DL FRSA was Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis from 2000 until 2005. From 1991 to 1996, he was Chief Constable of Northumbria Police before being appointed one of HM Inspectors of Constabulary in September 1996...
between 1998 and 2000. In 2000 he was appointed Divisional Commander at Paddington
Paddington
Paddington is a district within the City of Westminster, in central London, England. Formerly a metropolitan borough, it was integrated with Westminster and Greater London in 1965...
, and was promoted to Chief Superintendent in 2001. In 2002 he was promoted to Commander, and appointed Borough Commander for the City of Westminster
City of Westminster
The City of Westminster is a London borough occupying much of the central area of London, England, including most of the West End. It is located to the west of and adjoining the ancient City of London, directly to the east of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and its southern boundary...
.
Allison is a member of several MPS Public Order Cadres including the Public Order Command Cadre, and in this capacity has commanded police operations at major incidents and events in London. He was the Gold Commander in the aftermath of the 7 July 2005 London bombings
7 July 2005 London bombings
The 7 July 2005 London bombings were a series of co-ordinated suicide attacks in the United Kingdom, targeting civilians using London's public transport system during the morning rush hour....
, for which he was awarded the MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in the 2006 New Year Honours list. Allison was also the Association of Chief Police Officers
Association of Chief Police Officers
The Association of Chief Police Officers , established in 1948, is a private limited company that leads the development of policing practice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.ACPO provides a forum for chief police officers to share ideas and coordinates the strategic...
' lead on alcohol and licensing matters between 2004 and 2008, with responsibility for co-ordinating policy of police forces nationally.
In 2008 Allison was appointed temporary Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for Central Operations, replacing Tarique Ghaffur
Tarique Ghaffur
Tarique Ghaffur, CBE QPM is a former high-ranking British police officer in London's Metropolitan Police Service. His last post was that of Assistant Commissioner–Central Operations.-Biography:...
when he stepped down. He was appointed Assistant Commissioner in May 2009, and given responsibility for planning the policing of the 2012 Olympics. He held this position until the end of 2010, taking up a full-time role leading security for the Olympics in January 2011.