Durham’s CC Jo Farrell has had her contract renewed meaning she will stay in post for a further three years, until June 9 2027. 

When she was first promoted to the role in June 2019, she was the first female to hold the post in the force’s 180-year history. 

She became a police constable in 1991 in Cambridge at the age of 22. She then moved to Northumria as a Chief Inspector in 2002 and was subsequently promoted to Assistant Chief Constable. 

In 2016, she joined Durham as the Deputy Chief Constable. 

She also works for the NPCC on areas of information management and  criminal justice file quality as well as supporting charity Crimestoppers. 

The force has recently been rated outstanding for efficiency by HMICFRS and invested in a new investigations hub under construction at Spennymoor. 

PCC Joy Allen has said that renewing her contract will ensure the continuity of leadership, acknowledging that policing is going through a challenging period. 

She said: “I’m delighted that she has agreed to this contract extension.  It removes uncertainty, brings continuity of leadership in times of challenge and change and enables future planning to be undertaken with confidence.

“Jo is quite frankly an inspirational Chief Constable, respected throughout the force, my own office, our many partners and indeed across the whole force area.” 

CC Jo Farrell added: “It is a privilege to serve as Chief Constable of Durham and I would like to thank the PCC for the opportunity to continue the work which we have started and see through those changes which will make County Durham and Darlington a safer place for all.”