Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore has announced his proposed candidate for Suffolk's next Chief Constable subject to the appointment being confirmed by the Police and Crime Panel next month.

Tim Passmore and an appointments panel, selected Rachel Kearton as the proposed candidate following a rigorous selection process which took place last week.

Rachel joined Suffolk Constabulary in September 2015 as Assistant Chief Constable, following a career break during which she worked for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Turkey. She previously served with police forces in Hampshire, West Yorkshire and Northumbria.

Rachel was promoted to Deputy Chief Constable in Suffolk in 2019 and has been the temporary Chief since the previous Chief Constable, Steve Jupp left in September 2022.

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."  

Tim added, "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."  

The Police and Crime Panel's Chief Constable Confirmation Hearing, which is a public meeting, will be held at the County Council's Endeavour House, Ipswich on Friday 2 December 2022.