New chief constable confirmed for Cumbria Constabulary

Mr Martland, who is currently acting as temporary chief constable, was the preferred candidate of Cumbria’s police, fire and crime commissioner David Allen.

His appointment was confirmed by the Police, Fire and Crime Panel on Friday (February 27).

Mr Allen, said: “I am pleased to appoint Darren Martland as the new chief constable for Cumbria Constabulary.

“Since returning to Cumbria in July 2023, Darren has been an integral part of the Chief Executive Team, starting as deputy chief constable and then temporary chief constable in 2025.

“Darren has worked with colleagues over the last three years to improve Cumbria Constabulary to support victims and communities, tackle criminality and support the workforce including strengthening police numbers to put more Officers back on our streets.

“Cumbria has a unique set of challenges due to its size and geography and its tourism factor. I fully believe that Darren has the ability to deliver the best service possible in response to these challenges.

“I am certain that Darren will continue to drive positive change, improve victim care and the quality of service delivered to the public and deliver results as chief constable and I look forward to working with him to protect Cumbria’s safety.”

Mr Martland said he was “honoured” to have been appointed as chief constable.

“Since returning to Cumbria in 2023 I have seen how committed officers and staff are in ensuring we are delivering top performing and exceptional policing service,” he said.

“We will continue to build on providing a visible policing presence for our communities through neighbourhood policing, taking proactive action against criminality and keeping victims at the forefront of what we do.”

Chair of the Police, Fire and Crime Panel, Tim Pickstone, said: “After robust scrutiny of both the police, fire and crime commissioner’s recruitment process and the professional competence of Mr Martland, the panel unanimously agreed a recommendation to appoint Mr Martland to the position of chief constable.

“The panel was impressed with Mr Martland’s proposals for Cumbria Constabulary and his extensive policing experience – wishing him well in his new position.”

Mr Martland started his policing career in Merseyside Police in 1990, working in a number of uniform operational roles in both Merseyside Police and Cheshire Constabulary.

He returned to Merseyside Police in 2006 and said one of his “most memorable and proudest achievements” was becoming the area commander in the station where he began his career.

He completed the Strategic Command Course in 2013 and became a qualified (Gold) public order and Strategic Firearms Commander (SFC), before transferring to Cumbria Constabulary in 2015. Mr Martland was responsible for all aspects of operational policing and took command of the partnership response to the flooding in Cumbria in December 2015 (Storm Desmond).

He transferred to Cheshire Constabulary in 2017 and, in 2019, was appointed as the chief constable. In addition to his role as the chief constable, he was also the national lead for pre-charge bail, and coordinated the policing response to a significant change in legislation. Mr Martland was also responsible for the delivery of a Neighbourhood Policing model that tackles the causes of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour to address the issues that matter most to communities.

After a brief retirement from policing, he lectured to undergraduates studying for a BSc. in Professional Policing and returned to Cumbria Constabulary in July 2023 as the deputy chief constable.

Mr Martland has said he will ensure that Cumbria Constabulary is at the forefront of the fight against all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG) and enhance the Neighbourhood Policing model to address the issues that affect communities.