Mike Cunningham (police officer)


Mike Cunningham QPM is a former senior British Police officer and has been the Chief Executive of the College of Policing since 15 January 2018. In June 2020, it was announced that Cunningham will be retiring in December 2020.. Prior to this role, he was HM Inspector of Constabulary from 2014-2017.

Early life and education

Cunningham graduated from the University of Durham with a theology degree in 1984. Before joining the police he was a teacher for two years. In 2014, Staffordshire University bestowed the award of Honorary Doctor in recognition of his significant contribution to policing and law and order.

Police career

Cunningham joined Lancashire Constabulary in 1987 and after completing the police Strategic Command Course in 2005, he became Assistant Chief Constable, taking responsibility for operational policing. He later was the Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police from September 2009 to 2014. In July 2014, he was appointed Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary.
In January 2018, he became the chief executive of College of Policing.

Honours

Cunningham received the Queen's Police Medal in the Queen's 2013 New Years Honours.