The county's new chief constable has spoken of her pride to take on the force's top role as she becomes the first woman to do so.

Chief constable Rachel Kearton was officially appointed on Friday, December 2, at the Police and Crime Panel held at Endeavour House.

CC Kearton joined Suffolk Constabulary in September 2015 as its assistant chief constable.

Her career has seen her work for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Turkey and in UK forces in Hampshire, West Yorkshire and Northumbria.

She was promoted to deputy chief constable in Suffolk in 2019 and has been the temporary Chief since her predecessor Steve Jupp left in September 2022. 

Following her appointment, she said: “I am immensely proud to be appointed as Suffolk’s chief constable.

“I believe the quality of officers, staff and volunteers in Suffolk is very high. I am honoured to lead such an exceptionally dedicated workforce.

“My chief officer team and I are committed to relentlessly pursuing high standards and to serving to all communities, fairly and equitably.

CC Kearton is also the national lead for workforce representation and diversity.

Her appointment was unanimously supported by the panel after Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore proposed CC Kearton for the role. 

Mr Passmore said: “I was very pleased to propose Rachel as Suffolk’s next chief constable. It is a momentous appointment as Rachel will be the first female holder of the post in our county.

“Rachel was a strong candidate and impressed us with her forthright commitment to public service and delivering for the people of Suffolk.

 “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.”