T/CC Rachel Kearton has been named as the proposed candidate for Suffolk’s new Chief Constable.

She first joined Suffolk as ACC in September 2015 following a career break during which she worked for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Turkey.

T/CC Kearton was promoted to DCC in 2019 and has previously served with Hampshire, West Yorkshire and Northumbria. She has worked in a variety of roles included as Head of Northumbria’s Specialist Uniform Policing Services, leading units including roads policing, the dog section and firearms.

PCC Tim Passmore said: “I am very pleased to propose Rachel as Suffolk’s next Chief Constable, she will be the first woman to hold this post in our county. 

“This was a unanimous decision by the interview panel. Rachel was a strong candidate and impressed us with her forthright commitment to public service and delivering for the people of Suffolk.

“Rachel has a wealth of experience and knows the enormous challenges ahead for us in Suffolk including finance, increasing demand and the changes in the pattern of crime. Improving public trust and confidence will be fundamental to her role.  I have no doubt that she is the right person to lead the Constabulary in its delivery of my Police and Crime Plan.” 

A confirmation hearing will take place on December 2nd. DCC Kearton will bring the number of female chief constables in England and Wales to 16.