Who We Are and What We Do

Cheshire Constabulary is committed to delivering an open and transparent service whenever possible and it is our intention to publish information on our publication scheme that the public has an interest in viewing.

However, this must be balanced against the need of the constabulary to fulfil its core function of law enforcement - preventing and detecting crime and protecting life and/or property. As such, it must be recognised that there is no public interest in the publication of certain information since this will compromise the force's ability to enforce the law.

Although Cheshire Constabulary is obliged to review all Freedom of Information requests on a case-by-case basis, sensitive information - such as ongoing investigations, intelligence and the use of related operational techniques - must be protected. These are fundamental to the maintenance of a just and safe society. With this in mind, Cheshire Constabulary will, when appropriate, apply reasonable consideration to the use of key exemptions.

Cheshire Constabulary follows the processes and guidance laid out by the National Police Chiefs Council College of Policing.

Information about the setup of Cheshire Constabulary

Cheshire Constabulary is comprised of eight Local Policing Units or LPUs; Chester, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Macclesfield, Northwich, Runcorn, Warrington and Widnes.

Cheshire Constabulary Organisational Chart

Chief Officers and Senior Staff

Force Staffing Numbers - 2019-20

Force Staffing Numbers - 2018 - 2019

Please note: the above statistics will be updated on a quarterly basis.

Information sharing partnerships

We share the majority of our information with housing agencies, local authorities and other emergency services. We share information for a number of reasons, ranging from improving operational policing and the effectiveness of associated agencies to providing reassurance and improving public confidence.

As a force we are always looking to share information where necessary and feasible, in order to achieve stronger and closer links with our partner agencies and in turn improving the service provided by those agencies and Cheshire Police as a whole. In some cases we have a statutory obligation to share information whereas we are often supported by the Crime and Disorder Act, the Data Protection Act and Section 6 of the Management of Police Information (MoPI) Guidance. Please see below a list of Information Sharing Agreements:

Information Sharing Agreements

• Armed Forces Community Support Hub
• Cardiff Model (Drink Analysis)
• Cheshire East Family Focus (Troubled Families) - Payment by Results
• Cheshire West & Cheshire Integrated Early Support - Local Evaluation (Benefits Realisation)
• Cheshire West & Cheshire Troubled Families - Payment by Results
• Children's Care Home Providers
• CWAC Troubled Families University of Chester Evaluation
• Equity Housing (Registered Social Landlord)
• Halton BC Troubled Families University of Chester Evaluation
• Halton Troubled Families - Payment by Results
• Magenta Living (Registered Social Landlord)
• Northwest Regional Ambulance Service (NWRAS or NWAS)
• One Vision (Registered Social Landlord)
• Operation Beacon - EP Community Triage
• Operation Encompass (Safeguarding)
• Pubwatch
• Regenda (Templar Housing) (Registered Social Landlord)
• Remedi (Restorative Justice / Victim Support)
• Riverside Housing Association - Eastern (Registered Social Landlord)
• Runcorn Shop Watch
• Sanctuary Housing Association (Registered Social Landlord)
• Urinating in Public, Trading Standards CWAC
• Warrington Community Safety Partnership (Data Analysis)
• Warrington Complex Families - Payment by Results
• Warrington Partnerships, Crime & Disorder
• Your Housing Group (Registered Social Landlord)

How to make a complaint

Cheshire Constabulary's Professional Standards Department exists to thoroughly and impartially investigate all complaints made against Cheshire Constabulary personnel by members of the public. You can make complaints via this website.

Arrangements for Special Constables and Civilian Volunteers

Please visit our jobs section to find out how to become a Special Constable or a Police Volunteer.

Sponsorship arrangements with businesses

Cheshire Constabulary has a Sponsorship Policy which details the Force’s approach and guidelines on external funding.

Information about police investigations

Police investigations are conducted with due regard to the confidentiality and privacy of victims, witnesses and suspects.

Such investigations may also frequently involve the use of policing tactics or techniques that, if widely known, would hinder the ability of the police service to prevent and detect crime. It is further recognised that the release of information concerning current investigations may compromise any subsequent court proceedings.

For these reasons the police service will, in most cases, seek to apply an exemption to prevent the release of information concerning investigations when requested under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Whilst adopting this general position, there is full recognition that in some cases there will be significant and compelling issues of public interest that require the disclosure of information. However, to override issues of personal privacy and possible harm to individuals involved in the investigation, this public interest must be significantly more than mere curiosity or interest in a particular investigation.

In order to ensure that these public interest issues are fully considered, all applications for information concerning investigations will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the requirements of the Act.