Chief Constable
Mike Cunningham
Chief Constable Michael Cunningham
Mr Cunningham was appointed as Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police on 14 September, 2009.
Prior to joining the Police, in 1985 he graduated from the University of Durham with a degree in Theology and became a teacher .
His police career began when he joined Lancashire Constabulary in 1987. He was operational across the constabulary area in a number of different ranks and became Blackpool’s Divisional Commander in 2002.
Having successfully completed the Strategic Command Course in Bramshill Police College in November 2005, he returned to Lancashire Constabulary as Acting Assistant Chief Constable and was subsequently appointed as Assistant Chief Constable, taking responsibility for specialist operational policing across Lancashire. He was appointed Deputy Chief Constable in August 2007.
He has a wide range of experience in operational policing, having been responsible for six territorial divisions and developing neighbourhood policing in Lancashire. His portfolio also included specialist operations, the investigation of serious and organised crime, and counter-terrorism.
Mr Cunningham is lead of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Professional Standards Porfolio.