Neil Kavanagh

I am an experienced former Merseyside and Metropolitan Police officer having joined the service in 1989. During the early stages of my police career, I undertook several uniformed roles, notably as a Sector Policing Officer with responsibility for the very diverse communities in and around Brick Lane in East London.

During my formative years I was seconded onto high profile motor vehicle and street robbery operations associated with gang related criminality.

In 1997 I transferred to Merseyside Police and completed operational duties across Liverpool, developing my expertise in terms of Emergency Response, Community Policing, and Investigations.

As a Detective Inspector I completed roles relating to surveillance, Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) and the Covert Authorities Bureau regarding covert intelligence, major crime, kidnap and extortion, gun and gang related criminality, human trafficking, and modern slavery.

During my police career I worked closely with other Law Enforcement Agencies both in the United Kingdom and abroad. Equally, I have developed strong working relationships with both statutory and non-statutory partner agencies, particularly with Liverpool City Council helping to establish Citysafe.

I have been awarded several Police Commendations for saving lives and for bravery, including disarming a male who threatened me with a firearm. I have also received leadership awards and was awarded the Diversity in Action award for my ground-breaking work with Gypsy and Travellers at the national Jane’s Police Review Awards.

In 2012, I successfully completed a Master of Science in Police Leadership at Liverpool Hope University. During this programme of study, I researched the ethical decision making and leadership within Merseyside Police.

I was appointed as a Lecturer in the Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies in February 2022.

Degrees

2012, Liverpool Hope University, United Kingdom, MSc Police Leadership

Academic appointments

Lecturer, Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies, Liverpool John Moores University, 2022 - present