MPA: Acting Assistant Commissoner Chris Allison appointed Met Assistant Commissioner for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Central Operations

36/09
8 May 2009

The Metropolitan Police Authority today appointed Acting Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison as the Met’s Assistant Commissioner Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Central Operations.

Mayor of London and Chair of the MPA Boris Johnson said:

“I am delighted to congratulate Chris Allison on his appointment to this post. This is a unique role and undoubtedly one of the toughest jobs in UK policing.  And he will have a central part to play in working with all our partners in London to deliver a successful Olympics and Paralympics in 2012.

“Policing and protecting London in the run up to and during the Olympics and Paralympics will be the Met’s number one priority and taking the strategic lead at Assistant Commissioner level requires real talent, dedication and commitment.

“This is a very challenging position within the MPS which requires the appointment of an outstanding officer with significant experience. Essential to the role is both a commitment to protect London during the Olympics and Paralympics, as well as the requirement for effective communications skills to work together with our communities in London, the most diverse capital city in the world.”

The interviews were conducted by a panel of MPA members: Vice Chair Kit Malthouse, Jennette Arnold, Reshard Auladin, Chris Boothman, Dee Doocey, Toby Harris, Graham Speed and Richard Tracey.

HMCIC Denis O’Connor, Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson, Ann Gill (independent adviser) and Catherine Crawford Chief Executive of the MPA acted as advisors.

Charles Farr (Director General of the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism) and Sue Hunt (Director of Strategy, Stakeholder Relations & Planning, LOCOG) were both consulted.

 Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said:

"I am delighted at the appointment of Chris Allison as Assistant Commissioner for Central Operations. He brings 25 years experience of policing London to this role and knows the city and the Met like few other officers. He has worked at the heart of the Central Operations command for more than two years and is one of our most skilled public order commanders, with experience of many major events and operations. I know he will bring all this expertise to bear in his leadership of the Command.

"A key part of his role as Assistant Commissioner will be to lead the Met in planning and preparing for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics and provide national leadership and guidance through ACPO. This is an incredibly challenging, exciting and above all unique role for a British police officer and I am looking forward to working with Chris to ensure London, the Met and our partner agencies are ready to deliver a safe, secure and enjoyable Olympic and Paralympic Games."

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