Cheshire Police Chief Constable Darren Martland is to retire in the spring of next year.

The force's most senior officer has spent 30 years policing, including senior roles with Merseyside and Cumbria Police.

Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane praised his dedication and for leading the constabulary during difficult times under the pandemic.

"As Chief Constable, Darren has served through one of the most challenging times in living memory, overseeing the policing response to the Covid-19 pandemic and delivering operational policing against a backdrop of severe financial challenges," said the PCC.

"Despite these challenges, Darren has been able to see through the introduction of Cheshire's new community policing model, as part of our ambition to make Cheshire the best in the country at community policing."

Darren started his policing career in 1990 after graduating from Sheffield University. The initial part of his career was spent in the Knowsley area where he completed a number of uniform and CID postings.

In 1999 he joined Cheshire Police, working in mainly uniform operational roles in Halton and Macclesfield. He was later posted to the Eastern Area as the uniformed Chief Inspector.

He later served in senior roles with the Merseyside and Cumbria forces, successfully completed the Strategic Command Course in 2013 before returning to Cheshire in 2017.

Chief Constable Martland said: "It has been an honour and privilege to serve the public as a police officer for more than 30 years. I have made the very difficult decision to retire from policing in order to enable me to spend more time with my family and pursue other personal interests.

"I am immensely proud to have led such a wonderful organisation, and I have no doubt that, given the professionalism, care and commitment demonstrated by our staff and volunteers, Cheshire Constabulary will meet the current and future policing challenges, and will continue to 'Make Cheshire Safer'."

PCC David Keane added: "Darren's commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion has seen Cheshire Constabulary ranked 12th in the Inclusive UK Employers Awards 2020/21.

"It has been a privilege to work with him and together we have created a strong foundation on which to build.

"It is a huge honour and responsibility to appoint the next Chief Constable of Cheshire Constabulary and I am confident that with these foundations in place, it will be possible to find an exceptional candidate to build on our substantial achievements."

Cheshire Police will start their recruitment process to find Chief Constable Martland's successor early in the New Year.