Chief Constable Rachel Bacon

Rachel Bacon became Chief Constable of Durham Constabulary in November 2023.

She was previously Deputy Chief Constable of South Wales Police and during this time became the UK police lead for mental health. She worked nationally to improve policing service in this area, this included implementing national Right Care Right Person to ensure the right service reacts to calls impacting those in mental health crisis. 

Rachel joined Sussex Police in 1995 as a police constable where she performed a number of uniformed and detective roles, becoming Head of Crime for the force overseeing serious crime investigations.

Rachel transferred to Northumbria Police as Assistant Chief Constable in 2017 where she had varied responsibilities including overseeing crime, safeguarding, and the Regional Organised Crime Unit. As an accredited Strategic Firearms and Public Order Commander she led many complex operations on behalf of Northumbria Police. 

Recently Chief Constable Bacon has become chair of the National Police Chiefs Council Local Policing Coordination Committee which has a mission to deliver universal policing service for all and provide the gateway to specialist support.