PCC announces preferred candidate to be next chief constable of Merseyside Police

Emily Spurrell said he will “bring a wealth of operational experience and a clear passion for policing to the role”.

Mr Carden, who is currently chief constable of Cumbria Constabulary,  will replace Serena Kennedy KPM in September, following her decision to retire.

The appointment will now be subject to approval by Merseyside’s Police and Crime Panel at a confirmation hearing on May 12.

Ms Spurrell said: “It is an honour and a privilege as police commissioner to appoint Merseyside Police’s chief constable. It is one of the biggest decisions I must make, and I am pleased to announce Rob is my preferred candidate to replace Serena when she retires at the end of August.

“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 am 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 one of the top performing police forces in the country.

“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.”

Before joining Cumbria Constabulary as deputy chief constable in 2022, Mr Carden 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.

He also led the largest security operation hosted in Merseyside at the time, the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting, was Gold commander 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.

Mr Carden was chosen by the PCC 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.