Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon

Rachel started her policing career with Sussex Police in 1995 and worked in local policing and crime investigation. Moving from local policing commander in West Sussex to Senior Investigating Officer across Sussex and Surrey and later as Head of Crime and Safeguarding for Sussex and Surrey together with leading collaborated Specialist Crime units.

In 2017 Rachel transferred to Northumbria Police as Assistant Chief Constable with responsibility for Change, Custody, Criminal Justice, and Communications. Following changes to portfolio areas Rachel later became responsible from Crime, Safeguarding and the Regional Organised Crime Unit. As an accredited Strategic Firearms and Public Order Commander Rachel has led many complex and serious operations on behalf of Northumbria Police.

In 2021 Rachel was appointed Deputy Chief Constable of South Wales Police. Rachel has ensured that the force has an increased focus on relentlessly pursuing criminals, protecting the vulnerable and providing a first-class service to victims.

Rachel has developed neighbourhood policing so that preventing crime is at the heart of the service to the communities of South Wales and the force is at the forefront nationally in reducing crime.

She has ensured that the force is effectively driving up standards of police behaviour and South Wales are leading the way nationally in vetting and counter corruption.

In addition to her force responsibilities, Rachel is the UK Police lead for Mental Health working nationally to improve policing services and police interaction in this area. Rachel has introduced and is leading a national project to implement Right Care Right Person to ensure that the right service responds to calls such as mental health crisis.

Rachel is a member of the National Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Committee as the UK Police lead for age. She leads the Women’s Chief Officer Mentoring Scheme across the UK and has led a research project aimed at creating a more diverse executive across UK policing.

Rachel is a keen outdoor enthusiast and is married to a member of a Mountain Rescue Team. She likes to spend her spare time either in the hills or on the water.