Alison is listed as a guest speaker for one of our discussions but she does not work at Cumberland Lodge. We cannot share her contact details and it is not always possible for us to pass on contact enquiries to past speakers.
Alison Heydari is a Frontline Policing Commander in the Metropolitan Police Service, with additional pan London responsibility for neighbourhood policing. She joined the Met in June 2020.
Alison began her career in policing with the Hampshire Constabulary, in 2000. As a student officer Alison successfully applied for the Home Office Accelerated Promotion Scheme for Graduates and was promoted to Sergeant with just over two years service.
Alison joined the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) as a Detective Sergeant working in a number of units including Child Abuse Investigation, and the Performance and Review Unit, reviewing cold cases and quality assuring serious crime investigations. She also supported victims of people trafficking in Sao Paulo Brazil. On promotion to Detective Inspector, Alison worked in the CID general office and was seconded to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary. On return to force, Alison led a Public Protection Unit managing Hate Crime, Domestic Violence, Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults. In 2009 Alison took up post as Chief Inspector District Commander of Portsmouth South.
A year later, Alison passed the assessment process for the John Jay Exchange. She spent six months teaching first degree and Masters students Comparative Policing Systems at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY.
On return from America, Alison was offered a District Command role in Havant and Waterlooville. A temporary promotion to Superintendent of Portsmouth followed where she led on a number of impactive Community issues including the threat of terrorism. She then shortly reverted to her substantive rank and remained in Portsmouth before passing her promotion Board.
Alison enjoyed her role as Superintendent Commander of Southampton having taken up post in January 2016. In January 2019 Alison became the force Response and Patrol Superintendent being responsible for officers across the County who respond to grade 1 and 2 calls.
Alison is a trained Negotiator and practised for eight years. She is also a Public Order and Public Safety Silver Commander. She mentored extensively and was heavily involved in a number of issues related to equality, diversity and inclusion. Alison drove the force-wide strategic response to Hate Crime and Female Genital Mutilation. Her interest in the response to and impact of Domestic Abuse has been realised in her influence on policy development, tactical delivery and academic research.