Preferred candidate named to lead Nottinghamshire Police

Ms Meynell is currently the deputy chief constable of Derbyshire Constabulary, having previously spent most of her career serving with Nottinghamshire Police, including a two-and-a-half-year spell as assistant chief constable when she led the force’s knife crime strategy and chaired the regional strategic response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since then, she has implemented Derbyshire Constabulary’s vulnerability improvement programme, driving change in how the force safeguards vulnerable people, and led an operation to improve engagement within the workforce.

Ms Henry said: “I am absolutely delighted to announce Kate Meynell as my preferred candidate to be the next chief constable of Nottinghamshire Police.

“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.”

The Nottinghamshire PCC added: “Craig Guildford has been an excellent chief constable over the last five years at Nottinghamshire Police, during which crime has fallen, officer numbers have reached their highest in over a decade and neighbourhood policing has expanded.

“Craig will continue to lead the force until the end of the year before moving to take up the chief constable position at West Midlands Police, where we wish him well.”

Ms 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.”

Ms Meynell joined Nottinghamshire Police in 1993, where she was posted to Bulwell. For the first few years she worked across Bulwell, Hucknall and Eastwood in uniform roles before joining CID, undertaking investigation roles in Child Abuse Investigation Unit, Divisional CID and Homicide Team.

Progressing through the ranks in both uniformed and detective roles, in 2011 she was part of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU): Major Crime Unit before becoming head of the unit in 2015, overseeing major crime investigations across the East Midlands.

She has performed the role of senior investigating officer on a number of homicide investigations, including the investigation into a fatal house fire in which the six Philpott children were killed, resulting in the conviction of both their parents and a family friend of their manslaughter.

In 2017, Ms Meynell transferred to Northamptonshire Police to the role of chief superintendent, head of crime. While there she was responsible for CID, public protection, intelligence and serious and organised crime.

In 2018 she returned to Nottinghamshire Police as assistant chief constable, leading the force’s knife crime strategy, before leaving to become deputy chief constable at Derbyshire Constabulary in January 2021.

The confirmation hearing by the police and crime panel is due to be held on September 21.