Diversity and Inclusion in UK Policing
A conversation with Commander Dr Alison Heydari, who will offer her personal thoughts on diversity and inclusion in UK policing, and why it is so important for police forces to reflect the communities they serve.
In this webinar, Commander Heydari reflected on the diversity and inclusion challenges she has faced since joining the police in 2000, through to her current role which includes leading on neighbourhood policing and community engagement across London boroughs. She also shared her vision for the future.
The webinar was moderated by Professor Jenny Fleming, Professor of Criminology, University of Southampton.
It is 22 years since Sir William Macpherson published his ground-breaking report into the police handling of the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence. An important UK Home Affairs Select Committee report published on 30 July this year, which reviews progress and setbacks since the Macpherson report, calls for a new sense of urgency on these vital issues. It has found that while policing has changed for the better in many areas, there are still serious and deep-rooted racial disparities and neither police forces nor governments have taken the objective of race equality seriously enough.
Speaker's Biography
Commander Dr Alison Heydari
Commander Dr Alison Heydari was appointed Commander for Local Policing in the Metropolitan Police Service in June 2020. Prior to taking up her current appointment, Alison enjoyed a varied career including postings in the Criminal Investigation Department, District Command, and dealing with crisis negotiations.Â
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During October we are hosting a series of events highlighting current issues impacting black communities and other people of colour in the British Army, the Police and defence and security personnel from Commonwealth countries living and working in the UK.
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