Mersey Reporter - #Merseybites #News

MERSEYSIDE'SE Police and Crime Commissioner has today announced that Rob Carden is her preferred choice to be the next Chief Constable of Merseyside Police.

Emily Spurrell has selected Rob, who is currently Chief Constable of Cumbria Constabulary, as her preferred candidate following a rigorous assessment and interview process on:- 28 April 2025. Subject to approval by Merseyside’s Police and Crime Panel, Rob will replace Serena Kennedy KPM in September following her decision to retire.

Before joining Cumbria Constabulary as Deputy Chief Constable in 2022, Rob had spent the majority of his career in Merseyside, having joined the Force in 1992 following in his father's footsteps.

During his time with Merseyside Police, he was Gold Commander for the successful repatriation of British nationals in:' Wuhan Province, China, to Arrowe Park Hospital, Merseyside. He went on to manage Merseyside's response to all phases of the COVID Pandemic and subsequently received a national commendation for outstanding leadership and his overall contribution to the policing response to Covid.

Rob also led the largest security operation hosted in Merseyside at the time, the G7 Foreign Ministers' meeting, he was Gold Command for the Grand National on four occasions, and was the strategic firearms commander for the high level policing operation that followed the terrorist incident at the Women’s Hospital in Liverpool.

Rob was chosen by the Commissioner following a day long assessment process which included:' an interview, presentation, and mock media exercise, all designed to test his:- communication skills, leadership and cultural and political astuteness and sensitivity.

The Police and Crime Commissioner was supported by an experienced panel made up of senior representatives from policing, politics and the 3rd sector, including:- the Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, former Chief Constable of Gwent Police Pam Kelly and Chief Executive Officer at the Anthony Walker Foundation Kaushik Mistry.

The process was observed by Chair of the Merseyside Police and Crime Panel, Cllr Barbara Murray.

Rob will now go before the Merseyside Police and Crime Panel for a confirmation hearing on:- 12 May 2025.

The Panel will review the selection process and consider the appointment before giving their view.

The panel has the power to veto the PCC's preferred candidate.

Merseyside's Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:- "It is an honour and a privilege as Police Commissioner to appoint Merseyside Police's Chief Constable. It is 1 of the biggest decisions I must make, and I'm pleased to announce Rob is my preferred candidate to replace Serena when she retires at the end of August 2025. Rob is a very experienced Officer who has already dedicated 20 years of his career serving the people of Merseyside, leading on a number of extremely high profile and challenging incidents. He has done an excellent job as Chief Constable of Cumbria Constabulary and will bring a wealth of operational experience and a clear passion for policing to the role. Serena has been an outstanding leader and a dedicated servant to the public of Merseyside, and I'm very sorry she is leaving the Force, but I'm confident that with Rob taking over the role we can ensure a smooth transition, ensuring Merseyside Police remains 1 of the top performing Police Forces in the country. Subject to the consideration of Merseyside’s Police and Crime Panel, I'm pleased he will continue Serena's excellent work delivering the best possible policing service for our local communities."