Chief constable to retire after 37 years in policing

A chief constable has announced her retirement after 37 years' service as a police officer.

Rachel Kearton, who became Suffolk's most senior officer in September 2022, plans to stand down on 7 October.

She said leading the organisation was not easy, "but I have been extremely fortunate to have had the support of amazing police officers and staff".

Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore thanked her for her service. The recruitment process for a new chief constable has already begun.

"Becoming a chief constable was never part of my career plan, such as it was, and I certainly never dreamt that I would live in Suffolk," she said.

"Now, I cannot imagine how empty my life would have been without doing either."

Kearton has had a varied career, which began in 1989 when she joined Hampshire Police.

She has also served with West Yorkshire Police and Northumbria Police, had secondments to His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Service and the Home Office and worked at the British Embassy in Ankara, Turkey.

The move to Suffolk Constabulary came in 2015, serving as an Assistant Chief Constable and a Deputy Chief Constable until she was promoted to the top job.

She is currently the national police lead for Race, Religion and Belief, and chairs the Police Sport UK Committee and the Senior Women in Policing Network.

Passmore described Kearton as an "effective leader" who "leaves Suffolk Constabulary in a strong position, with more police officers than we have ever had in the county".

He said during her tenure, the force had "improved significantly", and he paid tribute to Kearton's delivery of a new local policing model, as well as her support with the introduction of the Right Care, Right Person mental health initiative.

Kearton paid tribute to the people of Suffolk, saying: "Their kindness and willingness to support each other and my officers and staff is what makes Suffolk such a special place. Thank you."

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