Andrew James Cooke, QPM, DL (born 10 March 1964) is a British public servant and former police officer. Since 1 April 2022, he has served as His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary and His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services. He had served as a police officer and detective with Merseyside Police and Lancashire Constabulary, rising to become Chief Constable of Merseyside Police from 2016 to 2021.[1][2][3]
Andy Cooke | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Cooke as Chief Constable of Merseyside Police in 2020 | |
| His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services | |
| Assumed office 1 April 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Sir Tom Winsor |
| Chief Constable of Merseyside Police | |
| In office 2016–2021 | |
| Succeeded by | Serena Kenedy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Andrew James Cooke 10 March 1964 |
| Alma mater | University of Nottingham |
| Profession | Police officer |
Biography
Cooke was born on 10 March 1964 in Liverpool, England. He was educated at St Francis Xavier's College, then a Catholic grammar school in Liverpool.[2] He studied politics at the University of Nottingham, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1985.[1][2]
In 1985, Cooke joined Merseyside Police as a constable. Then, from 1989 to 2008, he served as a detective, working through each rank from detective constable to detective chief superintendent. In 2008, he became a chief officer, having been appointed assistant chief constable of Lancashire Constabulary.[1][2] He was ACC Specialist Operations and ACC Territorial Operations.[1] He returned to Merseyside Police in 2013 as its deputy chief constable, before being appointed its chief constable in 2016.[2] In addition to the roles he held within his force, he was national policing lead for witness protection (2008–2017), for serious and organised crime (2017–2019), and for crime business area (2019–2021).[2]
In February 2021, it was announced that he had been appointed an Inspector of Constabulary for England and Wales: he took up the appointment on 12 April 2021.[4] In March 2022, it was revealed that he was the British government's preferred candidate for the joint role of HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary and Chief Fire & Rescue Inspector in England.[5] He took up the posts on 12 April 2021, in succession to Sir Tom Winsor.[6]
In the 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours, Cooke was awarded the Queen's Police Medal for Distinguished Service (QPM) for his service as Deputy Chief Constable of Merseyside Police.[7] In September 2021, he was made a Deputy Lieutenant (DL) to the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside.[8]
References
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