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I was raised in South Cumbria (Grange-Over-Sands, Cartmel and 6th Form at Ulverston) and moved to Carlisle in 1986 to begin my career in Policing as a Police Constable. I have served in every corner of the county at different ranks from Carlisle, Workington to Penrith and Barrow and I was the local Police Officer for Burgh-by-Sands.

In 2000, I was seconded from Cumbria Constabulary and worked for what eventually became the National Crime Agency. There, I tackled foreign national offenders, child online exploitation, drugs, firearms and people trafficking at a national and international level. Within the NCA, I ran the UK Interpol and Europol Bureaus tackling serious organised crime and keeping the country’s borders safe and secure.

Following on from my work fighting organised crime, I worked in our NHS. I assisted with setting up Cumbria’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and managed the vaccine programme across North and West Cumbria, along with HR, Employee Relations, Learning and Development and Occupational Health.

In May 2024, I was elected as Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner by the public of Cumbria to hold the Chief Constable and Chief Fire Officer to account on their behalf and to work towards providing Cumbria with the best Police and Fire services possible.

I have lived in Carlisle for 37 years, and reside there with my wife, Susan, and my two children, both now off at university. My son is studying to become a veterinary surgeon and my daughter is studying law. I am incredibly proud of them all.

I have dedicated my working life to the public sector and public service to ensure that the residents of Cumbria and the UK are kept safe. As your Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, I will put you and Cumbria first and will continue to strive for the best services possible from Cumbria Constabulary and Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, and will ensure that residents views and concerns are heard and acted upon.

David Allen

Police Fire and Crime Commissioner

What does the role of PFCC involve?

  • Representing & engaging with all those who live and work in the communities in the force area, including the vulnerable and victims to identify their policing needs;
  • Setting priorities that meet those needs by publishing a Police and Crime plan;
  • Publishing an Annual Report;
  • Securing the maintenance of an efficient and effective police force for the area
  • Setting the police precept and budget
  • Responsibility for holding community safety budgets and commissioning services
  • Appointing the Chief Constable
  • The power to call on the Chief Constable to retire or resign