Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon

Rachel started her policing career with Sussex Police in 1995. Rachel is an experienced Senior Investigating Officer working as a detective for many years. She was Head of Crime and Safeguarding for Sussex together with leading a number of collaborated Specialist Crime units. These included intelligence; organised crime; cyber and economic crime.

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 operations on behalf of Northumbria Police.

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 is a member of the National Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Committee as the UK Police lead for Age and is passionate about creating a more diverse police service. She leads the Women’s Chief Officer Mentoring Scheme across the UK and has recently 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 the Mountain Rescue Team. She likes to spend her spare time either in the hills or on the water.