Former Chief Constable joins School of Justice Studies

One of Britain’s leading figures in police leadership has joined Liverpool John Moores University as an adjunct Professor.

Mike Cunningham, CBE, will contribute to the academic work of the Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies, which runs a range of acclaimed degree and professional-based courses.

Mike is the former Chief Constable of Staffordshire and more recently the CEO of the College of Policing.

Earlier this year, the Local Government Secretary of State appointed Mike as the Lead Commissioner overseeing improvements in Liverpool City Council.

'Huge experience'

Daniel Silverstone, Director of the School of Justice Studies at LJMU, welcomed Mike, saying: “We are delighted to welcome Mike who has had a distinguished career in the police service but also has huge experience of public service leadership in other domains.”

Mike was born and raised in Crosby and studied theology at the University of Durham.

He joined Lancashire Constabulary in 1987 and worked in a number of operational roles before becoming a divisional commander in Blackpool in 2002. He was appointed Assistant Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary in 2005 and Deputy Chief Constable in 2007. In 2009, Mike was appointed Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police.

During his time as a Chief Police Officer Mike held a number of national roles leading on; LGBT issues; counter corruption; professional standards, and workforce development.

Standards

Mike was HM Inspector of Constabulary and HM Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services from September 2014 to January 2018. He was the lead Inspector for police forces in the north of England and Northern Ireland and led on national thematic inspections on police efficiency, police legitimacy and police leadership.

In January 2018 Mike was appointed CEO of the College of Policing. In this role he led on the development of national standards for operational policing and for the policing workforce as well as developing the evidence base for the development of policing practice.

Mike retired from policing in Jan 2021.

In June 2021 the Local Government Secretary of State appointed Mike as the Lead Commissioner overseeing improvements in Liverpool City Council.

He was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the 2013 New Year’s Honours and CBE in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours.