Cumbria chief 'preferred choice' for Merseyside

Rob Carden is set to return to lead Merseyside Police, having spent the majority of his career with the force

Cumbria's Chief Constable Rob Carden is set to take the top job at Merseyside Police later this year.

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Emily Spurrell said she had selected him as her preferred candidate after a "rigorous assessment and interview process".

Spurrell said Carden, who is set to replace Serena Kennedy when she retires in September, had spent most of his career with Merseyside Police.

"Subject to the consideration of Merseyside's Police and Crime Panel, I am pleased he will continue Serena's excellent work delivering the best possible policing service for our local communities," she said.

Carden, who followed in his father's footsteps by joining Merseyside Police in 1992, moved to Cumbria Police to take up its deputy chief constable role in 2022.

He was promoted to chief constable the following year.

Spurrell said: "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."

Spurrell said Kennedy had been "an outstanding leader and a dedicated servant to the public of Merseyside, and I am very sorry she is leaving the force".

The police and crime commissioner added she was confident of a smooth transition process before Kennedy and Carden.

Wuhan repatriation

During his time with Merseyside Police, Carden commanded the operation which led to the repatriation of British nationals from China's Wuhan province to Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral.

He went on to manage Merseyside Police's response to all phases of the Covid pandemic and led the security operation for a G7 foreign ministers' meeting.

Carden was also the strategic firearms commander for the policing operation that followed the November 2021 car explosion and fire outside Liverpool Women's Hospital.

The assessment panel comprised representatives from policing, politics and the third sector, including Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, former chief constable of Gwent Police Pam Kelly and the Anthony Walker Foundation's chief executive officer Kaushik Mistry.

The process was observed by Barbara Murray, who chairs the Merseyside Police and Crime Panel.

Carden will now go before the Merseyside Police and Crime Panel for a confirmation hearing on 12 May.

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