The preferred choice for the next person to lead Nottinghamshire Police has been announced following a "rigorous selection process." Craig Guildford, the current Chief Constable at Nottinghamshire Police, is leaving after five years to do the same role in the West Midlands.
Interviews have been taking place to decide who should take over and the leading candidate has now been revealed. Kate Meynell is the current Deputy Chief Constable in Derbyshire, but has spent most of her career in Nottinghamshire.
She first joined Nottinghamshire Police in 1993, when she was posted to Bulwell, before eventually joining CID and undertaking investigative roles in the Child Abuse unit. She became head of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit in 2015, overseeing crime investigations across the region.
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She went to Northamptonshire Police in 2017, before returning to Nottinghamshire in 2018 to lead its knife crime strategy and then joining Derbyshire in January 2021. Caroline Henry, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire, has explained why Kate Meynell is her preferred choice.
She said: "We had two outstanding shortlisted candidates but after a rigorous selection process I am confident that Kate has what it takes to lead this force forward. Kate will be responsible for working with me to deliver my 'Make Notts Safe' Police and Crime Plan, which has a clear focus on preventing crime, responding efficiently and effectively to local need and supporting vulnerable victims.
"Working as a team with partner agencies and the community is central to achieving this, and Kate has shown throughout her career that she recognises the importance of this. Kate is an outstanding leader and I am looking forward to working closely with her."
Craig Guildford will continue to lead Nottinghamshire until the end of the year. Kate Meynell will now go before the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Panel for a confirmation hearing on September 21.
Kate Meynell said: "I'm extremely proud to be named as the preferred candidate to be the next Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police. It is my home county, one I love and one in which I am proud to have served for most of my career.
"I will bring passion and authenticity to the role, working with the PCC to deliver the best service I can to the people of Nottinghamshire, delivering an outstanding police service we can all be proud of. I have really enjoyed working for Derbyshire Constabulary, where I have worked alongside some excellent officers and staff, but I am excited about this new challenge and truly honoured to be put forward for the role of leading my home force."
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