PCC backs new Chief Constable to drive excellence within Nottinghamshire Police

Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden has today officially appointed Steve Cooper as the Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police.

PCC Godden said he believed Chief Constable Cooper had all the skills and qualities to ensure Nottinghamshire Police becomes an “outstanding” force over the next few years.

The announcement comes after members of Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Panel gave their backing to PCC Godden’s preferred candidate at a confirmation hearing at County Hall on Monday.

The formal process, which has to take place before the PCC can officially appoint the Chief Constable, came after PCC Godden named him as the preferred candidate in December following a rigorous interview process.

PCC Godden explained why he thought Chief Constable Cooper was the right person for the job.

“I think he holds the right values, skills and experience that will take Nottinghamshire Police forward to become an outstanding force in the next few years,” he said.

“Having worked closely with Steve since I became PCC, I know that he shares my desire to put communities and victims first, strengthen partnership working and ensure Nottinghamshire Police is an efficient and effective service that meets the needs of all of our diverse communities across the city and county.

“We have to recognise that the force has gone through a difficult period but we are determined to continue improvements that have been made recently and keep enhancing the service that the people of Nottinghamshire receive.”

Chief Constable Cooper has been Acting Chief Constable for just over a year after former Chief Constable Kate Meynell stepped back from the role following her cancer diagnosis. She officially retired in March.

He said it was an “absolute privilege” and he was “extremely proud” to take up the top rank within Nottinghamshire Police and, with it, the responsibility for all operational policing across Nottinghamshire.

“I’ve worked for Nottinghamshire Police and lived here for well over 25 years,” he said.

“It’s a great force with a great team and I look forward to continuing the journey to keep the people of Nottinghamshire safe.”

Chief Constable Cooper started his policing career with the Metropolitan Police Service where he worked within both uniform policing, in central London and then again as a Sergeant in Brixton, as well as in Intelligence, as a DC in Special Branch.

He transferred to Nottinghamshire Police in 2001 after meeting his now wife here and was posted to the then ‘A’ Division in Mansfield. He was promoted to Inspector in 2002 and worked in a variety of posts including Response, Neighbourhoods, Source Controller and Criminal Justice as a Chief Inspector.

Steve was promoted to Superintendent in October 2007, responsible for leading operations on the City South area and then appointed as the Deputy Divisional Commander and working with the City Council on Project Aurora.

During his Superintendent posting, he mainly focused on operational policing. He was a Commander with training for a range of specialist roles including Tactical Firearms, Public Order and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear for many years and commanded many of the larger events within the city and force.

In 2013, Steve was promoted to Chief Superintendent and Divisional Commander for the City of Nottingham and remained there until 2016 when he was seconded to a regional project prior to attending the Strategic Command Course (SCC).

After the SCC, Steve was lucky enough to stay in force and was promoted to Assistant Chief Constable in April 2017, where responsible for leading the Change Programme, before being promoted to Deputy Chief Constable in 2022.

He has been Acting Chief Constable since April 2025 during Kate Meynell’s sickness absence and following her retirement.