Hampshire’s chief constable to lead College of Policing’s Strategic Command Course
Hampshire Constabulary Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney QPM is joining the College of Policing on secondment as the new director of the Strategic Command Course (SCC).
She takes over the role from Metropolitan Police Service Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu.
Ms Pinkney, who is also chair of the National Police Coordination Committee for Local Policing and the Police Steering Committee, Cumberland Lodge, said: “I am honoured to have been invited to this role which will see me step away from my ongoing responsibilities. It has been a long-held ambition to lead the SCC, having twice immensely enjoyed being a Syndicate Director.
“I am very excited to work with the excellent College team, to build on the brilliance of Neil, and to develop an enriching, yet challenging programme for the future leaders of UK policing – the finest police service in the world.”
College of Policing chief executive officer Andy Marsh added: “Olivia’s wealth of experience, and her dedication to policing and the communities we serve, will be an inspiration to those aspiring to the most senior roles in the service. I really look forward to working with her and know she will receive a very warm welcome from colleagues at the College, and those attending the SCC.”
The SCC is a leadership development programme that prepares police officers and staff for the most senior ranks.
The course is open to police officers at superintendent and chief superintendent ranks, and staff at equivalent grades, who have shown the potential to progress further in their careers. It is a statutory requirement for officers seeking promotion to assistant chief constable and above.
Ms Pinkney began her policing career with Avon and Somerset Constabulary, and later served as assistant chief constable for the Surrey and Sussex forces, before being appointed deputy chief constable at Sussex Police. In 2013, she was appointed assistant inspector of constabulary with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, independently reporting on the effectiveness and efficiency of all police forces in England and Wales.
Ms Pinkney joined Hampshire Constabulary as chief constable in April 2016 and was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the New Year Honours list the same year. She is also the national chaplaincy lead for the police service.