Suffolk Police could get first female Chief Constable as Rachel Kearton recommended for job
She's been put forward as the preferred candidate to lead the force
Last updated 7th Nov 2022
Suffolk's Temporary Chief Constable has been put forward as the preferred candidate to lead the force on a permanent basis.
Rachel Kearton has been leading the force since the departure of Steve Jupp in September 2022.
However she's now been selected as the proposed candidate to be the new Chief Constable by Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore.
If approved, she will be the first woman to lead the force on a full time basis.
Her appointment will be voted on by the Police and Crime Panel next month.
Rachel joined Suffolk Constabulary in 2015 as Assistant Chief Constable in 2015, being promoted to Deputy Chief Constable in 2019.
She's previously served with police forces in West Yorkshire, Hampshire and Northumbria.
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.”