Rob Carden became Merseyside’s top officer in September of this year after leading Cumbria Police
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Rob Carden(Image: Merseyside Police)
Merseyside’s recently appointed chief constable has been awarded the King’s Police Medal at the New Year Honours list. Rob Carden became chief constable in September this year after joining the force from Cumbria Police, where he held the top job from August 2023.
Chief Constable Carden left Merseyside Police as an assistant chief constable in 2022 before returning three years later. He joined the force in 1992 after graduating with an economics degree and joining the graduate management scheme at GEC Plessey Telecommunications, where he worked for two years in procurement at the company’s Edge Lane site in Liverpool.
The chief constable, an Everton season ticket holder, is the son of a former police inspector and maternity nurse at the women’s hospital and previously told the ECHO he is “very comfortable and proud” to be a public servant.
The King’s Police Medal has been awarded for his “unwavering commitment to policing, both regionally and nationally, throughout his career. The citation highlights the major impact he has had “by bringing forces together through collaborative digital programmes”.
It adds: “He has been at the forefront of innovation for the service and is widely acknowledged by peers as being the driving force and accelerant behind recent progress in this area.”
Chief Constable Carden said: “This award is humbling and deeply appreciated. It is a proud moment for my family, who have shared the sacrifices that come with policing, and I see it as recognition of the teamwork and professionalism of those who have worked with me and supported me.”
Merseyside Police new chief constable Rob Carden(Image: Andrew Teebay)
The citation continues: “During his career Rob distinguished himself as a capable and experienced operation leader throughout his service including gold command for the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting, the largest security operation hosted in Merseyside and gold command for the Grand National on four occasions.
“Rob has also been a national cadre counter terrorism commander and was the strategic firearms commander for the high-threat policing operation that followed the terrorist incident at the Women’s Hospital in Liverpool in November 2021.
“As gold commander for the repatriation of British nationals from Wuhan Province, China, to Arrowe Park Hospital, Merseyside, at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Rob led the first national operation of its kind and helped to shape the national policing response to Covid-19.
“He went on to manage Merseyside’s response to all phases of the covid pandemic. For his outstanding leadership on behalf of the police service he subsequently received a national commendation for his overall contribution to policing’s response to covid.”
The chief constable’s work as the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for digital data and technology was also recognised.
PCC Emily Spurrell with the Chief Constable Rob Carden(Image: Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner )
Merseyside’s police and crime commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “My warmest congratulations go to Rob on receiving this prestigious and well‑deserved King’s Police Medal.
“Rob has dedicated more than three decades to policing, much of it here in Merseyside. Having risen through the ranks locally, he brings invaluable experience and a genuine passion for serving the people of this region.
“This honour reflects the exceptional contribution Rob has made not just to Merseyside, but to policing nationally. His leadership on digital transformation has driven major improvements across forces, strengthening collaboration, and ensuring policing is better equipped to tackle the challenges of a modern, digital world.
“His operational command has also been impressive – from managing complex national security events to steering Merseyside’s response to the Covid‑19 pandemic. Rob’s commitment, innovation and calm leadership have consistently made a real difference to public safety.
“This honour is a fitting recognition of Rob’s hard work and dedication, and I would like to thank him personally for all he has done, and will continue to do, for Merseyside.”
Chief Constable Carden’s predecessor Serena Kennedy was awarded the King’s Police Medal in June 2023.