PCC Jane Kennedy has until April to appoint a new chief constable for Merseyside Police. This means that three forces in the north west of England are now looking to replace chief officers who have left or are leaving. 

The closing date for applications is 5pm on 19 February, with interviews and assessment, including a media exercise, taking place on the week commencing 1 March.

PCC Kennedy said: “It is critically important that a big, busy police force like Merseyside has certainty about its future direction. It falls to me to deliver that certainty to the best of my ability.

“With uncertainty still surrounding the date of the election of the next PCC, and the ongoing challenges of the Covid-19 epidemic, it is important that we find Andy Cooke’s successor quickly. This is essential to give the entire organisation and its workforce the stability and direction it needs.”

Since PCC Kennedy intends to step down at the next election in May, she was faced with the problem of whether to hire a chief one month before a new PCC was elected or hire an interim chief who would potentially be in post as late as October, as the elections could be postponed until the autumn.

PCC Kennedy told Police Oracle after consulting with political colleagues, in particular the regional mayor and the chair of the police and crime panel, she’d been reassured there was broad agreement with the decision to go ahead and recruit a permanent chief.

“There are serious doubts as to whether the elections will go ahead in May. It’s shrouded in uncertainty," she said.

“I’m hoping that they won’t be delayed and I’m making arrangements to provide the police and crime panel with a nominee before the period of purdah, if the election in May goes ahead.”

Forces such as Cheshire and Greater Manchester who are in a similar situation – on the hunt for a new chief so close to the May election date - made the decision to recruit for a permanent position and this was another factor in her decision.

“Merseyside Police needs to try and make sure we are not disadvantaged by the fact that other forces are proceeding,” she said.

The OPCC said potential candidates will “be expected to demonstrate strong leadership skills coupled with integrity, commitment and clear strategic thinking”.

“They will need to communicate a strong vision for the force, ensuring they can maintain and strengthen Merseyside Police’s reputation as one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking forces in the country. The successful candidate will be expected to be an influential ambassador for both the force and the region.”

CC Cook is to take up a new appointment, details of which are yet to be announced,

PCC Kennedy said he will “certainly be a tough act to follow”.

The appointment will be on a five-year fixed term basis with an annual salary of £177,120.