Keith McLachlan

Profile

Biography

Keith is a Senior Lecturer and researcher in policing, with a particular focus of decision-making and public order policing. He is currently undertaking a Professional Doctorate, researching police command decision-making in time critical situations and the police national decision model.

Retiring from Merseyside Police after thirty years’ service working across Response, Neighbourhood and specialist operational roles. Holding operational command roles in St Helens, Liverpool South, Knowsley BCU’s and the Force Control Room. Keith commanded many complex risk operations both within Force and cross border, across Silver and Bronze Public Order, CBRNe and pre-planned and spontaneous tactical Firearms Command specialisms. Notably as the lead Bronze public order commander during the August 2011 riots and the multi-agency JESIP tactical commander for the Liverpool Arena car park fire, on New Year’s Eve 2017.

Keith’s experience extends Internationally, commanding International Police Officers, mentoring local commanders, post hurricane disaster in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Commanding 75 International Officers, including armed assets from various Caribbean Countries and unarmed Officers from across the UK. Responsibilities included Tactical Firearms, Tactical Public Order Command and mentoring local BVI Commanders. The most humbling aspect was delivering humanitarian aid and support to the devastated BVI communities and working closely with the Red Cross and other aid agencies. Keith is the only UK Firearms Commander to have commanded International Firearms Officers on operations on foreign soil.

Keith complements his operational prowess with a strong analytical capability which he deployed successfully to reform and streamline organisational structures, improve services, and develop new efficiency strategies. Notably, leading a BCU merger, saving in excess of £4.2 million. Creating a more efficient BCU with an enhanced management function and as subject matter expert for response policing, during the force wide change to a functional policing model.

Keith is passionate about people, their growth and development. He nurtures, coaches and is a qualified workplace assessor, assessing and developing future Police Commanders. Keith strives for others to be their best, whether in the workplace, as a Command assessor, or as a Senior Lecturer. Where he excels in combining academic and operational knowledge and assisting students with employability skills.  

Previously, holding qualifications as a Police Search Advisor (POLSa) and as a Security Coordinator (Secco), Keith has developed professionally, attaining external qualifications in Management, as a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and Fellowships in the Institute of Consulting and Higher Education Academy. Educationally, studying various postgraduate qualifications in teaching, leadership, and policing.

Prior to joining Edge Hill full time, Keith was a Policing Practitioner at Edge Hill, assisting the delivery of the Professional Policing Degree Programme, whilst working full time with Merseyside Police.