Mike Cunningham (police officer)

Michael Bernard Cunningham CBE QPM (born July 1961) is a former senior British Police officer and was the Chief Executive of the College of Policing between 15 January 2018 and December 2020.[2] Prior to this role, he was HM Inspector of Constabulary from 2014-2017.

Mike Cunningham
Chief Executive of the College of Policing
In office
15 January 2018 – December 2020
Preceded byAlex Marshall
Succeeded byAndy Marsh
Personal details
Born
Michael Bernard Cunningham[1]

July 1961 (age 63)

Early life and education

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Cunningham graduated from the University of Durham with a theology degree in 1984. Before joining the police he was a teacher for two years. In 2014, Staffordshire University bestowed the award of Honorary Doctor in recognition of his significant contribution to policing and law and order.[3]

Police career

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Cunningham joined Lancashire Constabulary in 1987 and after completing the police Strategic Command Course in 2005, he became Assistant Chief Constable, taking responsibility for operational policing. He later was the Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police from September 2009 to 2014.[4] In July 2014, he was appointed Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary.[5]

In January 2018, he became the chief executive of College of Policing.[6]

Despite announcing his retirement from policing, in April 2021 Cunningham joined Skills for Justice as an associate to “keep police leaders ahead of their game today to develop a service fit for tomorrow.” [7]

Honours

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Cunningham was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in the 2013 New Years Honours and was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to policing and public service.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "College of Policing Ltd". Companies House. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  2. ^ "Mike Cunningham to retire from policing". 29 June 2020.
  3. ^ "Chief Constable Mike Cunningham". Staffordshire University. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  4. ^ "Chief Constable Mike Cunningham leaves for inspectorate post". BBC. 25 July 2014.
  5. ^ "Home Secretary announces new Inspector of Constabulary". Gov.uk. 25 July 2014.
  6. ^ "Former Staffordshire chief constable named College of Policing head". Shropshire Star. 7 November 2017.
  7. ^ "Mike Cunningham joins Skills for Justice to help drive leadership development across policing". Police Professional. 26 April 2021.
  8. ^ "No. 63377". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 June 2021. p. B9.