South Wales Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon has been named as the preferred candidate for the Durham Chief Constable position.

PCC Joy Allen made the announcement this week and DCC Bacon’s appointment remains subject to a confirmation hearing by the Police and Crime panel.

DCC Bacon has almost three decades of policing experience after beginning her career with Sussex in 1995.

Following a role as a local policing commander in West Sussex, she became Senior Investigating Officer across Sussex and Surrey and later Head of Crime and Safeguarding for Sussex and Surrey together with leading collaborated Specialist Crime units.

In 2017, she transferred to Northumbria Police as Assistant Chief Constable where she had responsibility for Change, Custody, Criminal Justice and Communications.

She later took responsibility for Crime, Safeguarding and the Regional Organised Crime Unit.

DCC Bacon has been serving in her current role with South Wales Police since 2021 and is currently the national lead for age as well as mental health – her role includes leading the national implementation of Right Care, Right Person.