Cheshire’s new chief constable confirmed

Darren Martland has been confirmed as Cheshire Constabulary’s new chief constable – following a confirmation hearing by Cheshire’s police and crime panel.

Mr Martland has taken on the role of acting chief constable since being announced as the preferred candidate for the permanent role last month.

Darren has served with Cheshire police since 2017, joining the force as an assistant chief constable before being promoted to the role of acting deputy chief constable. He has also worked at chief officer level in Cumbria Constabulary and has held local commander positions within Merseyside Police.

The proposed appointment was announced following a two-day rigorous interview process which involved support from key leaders across Cheshire and was carried out in accordance with the College of Policing guidance on the appointment of chief officers.

Chief Constable Martland said: “I feel honoured and privileged to have been selected as the new chief constable of Cheshire Constabulary, which is a first class organisation. I joined Cheshire Constabulary in 1999, as a sergeant, before transferring to Merseyside Police in 2006, and subsequently returning to Cheshire in 2017. I am looking forward to working with our excellent staff, volunteers and partners in order to deliver the police and crime commissioner’s police and crime plan and making Cheshire one of the safest counties in the country. My main priority over the next few weeks is to be as visible as possible, and getting to know our staff and the communities in Cheshire.”