Commenting on today’s announcement that Chief Constable Mike Cunningham has been appointed as Her Majesty’s Inspector, Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis said:
“Whilst I am sad that the Chief Constable is going, it is a great opportunity for him personally and also for the policing landscape nationally because of his extensive experience and expertise.
“Mike Cunningham is an excellent Chief Constable and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working so closely with him during the last 18 months. He has embraced the changes to policing which came when PCCs were established and between us we have made progress that puts Staffordshire in an enviable place for the future.
“On a personal note I wish Mike and his family every success with their new future. The last 18 months have been thoroughly enjoyable and highly productive for Staffordshire.
“The Executive Police Team is working tremendously well, both operationally, and with my Office. I want to minimise disruption, make sure we continue the highly effective joint working relationship of the last year and minimise uncertainty.
“Jane Sawyers is an excellent Deputy Chief Constable and I believe she has the attributes needed to be a Chief Constable. There is of course a formal process I must follow, in the mean time I have asked her to be interim Chief Constable.
“We’re in good shape here… some would say the best in the country. Finances have improved dramatically and are nicely on track right the way to 2019/20. Recruitment of new officers is underway for the first time in years along with the rollout, very soon, of state of the art mobile technology which will free up thousands of hours of policing every week and transform the way Staffordshire Police does its business. We have an immense amount to look forward to.”
