Thames Valley announces new Assistant Chief Constable for Crime and Criminal Justice

ACC Darren O’Callaghan joined Thames Valley from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary in April 2026 and has 31 years’ service within policing. He began his career in 1994 as a PC in Petersfield, Hampshire. Then, in 1997, he became a detective working across crime, intelligence, and local policing, including… He has extensive strategic partnership experience, working with the Home Office and speaking nationally on system thinking....

Sir Andy Marsh announced as preferred candidate for HM Chief Inspector

Today, the Home Secretary confirmed that Sir Andy Marsh QPM is the Government’s preferred candidate for the role of HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in England and Wales and Chief Inspector of Fire & Rescue in England (HMCI). Sir Andy has been Chief Executive of the CoP since September 2021.… The College of Policing (CoP)'s chief executive has 30 years' policing experience, including leading significant reforms in professional standards, leadership and technology....

West Midlands PCC begins search for next chief constable by writing to every force

Acting Chief Constable Scott Green has been in post since Craig Guildford retired in January, but now the PCC has opened recruitment for his permanent successor. As reported in Police Oracle it is a difficult recruitment market for chief officers  –  two of the more recent vacancies for senior roles;… The region's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Simon Foster, has written to every eligible police officer across the country holding the rank of Assistant Chief Constable or above to invite their interest in the post. ...

Emma Bond is preferred candidate for Warwickshire chief constable role

Emma is currently seconded to the National Police Chief’s Council from Police Scotland, where she has served since 2022, most recently as an Assistant Chief Constable for Local Policing.  Prior to this she had 23 years’ experience of policing in Northern Ireland. She was awarded an MBE for services to… The PCC for Warwickshire, Philip Seccombe, has today named Emma Bond MBE as his preferred candidate to become the next Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police. ...

New ACC joins Northamptonshire from Leicestershire

Assistant Chief Constable Jonny Starbuck joins the force following a 29-year career with Leicestershire Police, where he began his service in 1997. ACC Starbuck spent several years in response policing, before qualifying as an authorised firearms officer and joining the Armed Policing Team.  He later progressed through investigative roles as… He will be responsible for Local Policing, including Response and Neighbourhoods, as well as Operations, the Force Control Room, Custody, and Prevention and Intervention....

DCC is preferred candidate for chief constable of Essex

Mrs Nolan joined Essex Police in 1998 and has served in the same force for 27 years. She has predominantly worked in uniformed and specialist operational roles. Thanks to support from local Rotary Clubs, she went on an exchange visit to South Africa and Lesotho to learn about cultural differences,… Rachel Nolan has been selected as the preferred candidate for Chief Constable of Essex Police....

Hertfordshire chief signs new five-year contract after one month pause in service

Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Jonathan Ash-Edwards, has reappointed Chief Constable Andy Prophet following his completion of 30 years of pensionable service. The Police & Crime Commissioner’s recommendation that Mr Prophet be reappointed as Chief Constable was unanimously approved at a confirmation hearing held by the cross-party Police & Crime… To comply with police pension regulations, CC Andy Prophet will step away from his role for one calendar month before formally returning as Chief Constable on 14th July.  ...

Simon Blatchly confirmed as Derbyshire's new Acting Chief Constable

A/CC Blatchly has served as the force’s Deputy Chief Constable since 2022, and during his time has led operational policing, performance and organisational culture across the force. He is also a Gold Public Order and CBRN Commander and leads nationally on surveillance in partnership with the NCA and other security… The appointment of Simon Blatchly OBE to the post was confirmed by the region's Police and Crime Commissioner, Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts....

Essex chief constable to retire after 36-year career

BJ Harrington has announced that he will be retiring from Essex Police. The announcement brings to end a 36-year career in policing, which began in 1990 in the Metropolitan Police. In 2017, Chief Constable Harrington joined Essex Police on secondment as Deputy Chief Constable. He remained and became chief in… In 2017, Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington joined Essex Police on secondment as Deputy Chief Constable. He remained and became chief in 2018....

Suffolk CC Rachel Kearton set to retire in October

She has been the Suffolk Constabulary’s chief since September 2022 and retires after 37 years in policing across several forces. Following her announcement, CC Kearton said: “It has been a huge privilege to have led Suffolk police since 2022. Becoming a chief constable was never part of my career plan,… Rachel Kearton, the Chief Constable of Suffolk Constabulary, originally joined the force in 2015, becoming Deputy Chief in 2019....