Lieutenant-Colonel William David Allan OBE (4 November 1879 – 9 January 1961), known as David Allan, was a British soldier and police officer.

Allan was born in Elgin, Moray, Scotland. He was educated at Elgin Academy and Blundell's School and commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the 3rd (Morayshire) Volunteer Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders on 4 January 1902.^[1] He transferred to the Regular Army, in the Black Watch, on 8 February 1902.^[2] He served in the South African War and had been promoted Lieutenant by 1910.^[3] On 20 June 1910, he became Adjutant (and temporary Captain) of the 10th(Cyclist) Battalion , Royal Scots (Territorial Force).^[4] He was promoted Major in 1917. On 1 January 1919 he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).^[5]

Allan served as Chief Constable of Bootle from 1919 to 1920, and Chief Constable of Argyll from 1920 until 22 June 1927.^[6][7] He was then appointed HM Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland.^[8] He was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel in the Reserve of Officers on 27 March 1929.^[9] On 1 December 1930 he was appointed one of the two HM Inspectors of Constabulary for England and Wales.^[10][11]

On 8 June 1931 he became Assistant Commissioner "A" of the London Metropolitan Police, in charge of uniformed policing.^[12][13] However, on 3 November 1931 he returned to the post of Inspector of Constabulary for England and Wales.^[14] He retired on 31 August 1938.^[15]

Allan married Eve Crozier; they had three sons. He died at his home in Elgin in 1961, aged 81.^[16]

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