Cumbria Police chief constable officially departs
He's beginning his new role today as Chief Constable at Merseyside Police
Cumbria Police are continuing their search a new chief constable, following Rob Carden's departure.
He's now in post at Merseyside police, having originally left that force for the role in Cumbria.
Darren Martland is the temporary chief constable here whilst the recruitment process continues,
Mr Carden spent most of his career with the Merseyside force, but moved to Cumbria Constabulary in 2022, where he was promoted to chief constable.
Mr Carden, the national police lead for digital data and technology, said:
"Demand has become more complex. It's more severe. So we have to find ways of being smarter in terms of policing. One of those ways is technology.
"I know, for instance, facial recognition, redaction tools, they're great ways of freeing up officer time and providing more opportunities for officers and police staff back on the beat with the aim of improving confidence."
He said the public would have to be reassured about facial recognition - after concerns were raised about its use by the Met Police at the Notting Hill Carnival - but said it had achieved some results in cases including "some real toe curlers".
"Without that, we'd have some serious offences taking place, really bad people still walking the streets in London and wider areas," he said.
"I know how beneficial it is, but technology has to move forward with the confidence of people. We've got to reassure them that the data is used properly."
Mr Carden described social media as a "huge opportunity" as well as a "huge challenge".
He said: "With social media, more things go out in the public realm at a swifter pace.
"The police reaction has to be the same. We've got to match that. We've got to be more agile in terms of the provision of information.
"As part of that, we've got to be transparent, with the right consultation, so people understand the reasons why we're doing things.
"There are lots of differing views in a complex, quite uncertain world at the moment, as we're seeing community tensions ebb and flow.
"All we can do is police and use legislation without fear or favour in a transparent way, with ethical policing that takes the advice and listens to communities."