Congratulations, Ma’am

16 June 2021

Derbyshire Police Federation chair Tony Wetton has congratulated Chief Constable Rachel Swann after she was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Rachel joined Derbyshire Police as Deputy Chief Constable in February 2019 and was promoted to Chief Constable in August last year.

She began her policing career with Leicestershire Police in 1994 before a 2015 move to Northamptonshire where she served as an Assistant Chief Constable and then Deputy Chief Constable.

Tony said: “Derbyshire Police Federation congratulates the Chief Constable on this achievement which comes in recognition of her contribution to policing in the county.

“It has been an incredibly challenging year for everyone and strong leadership has been a key factor in policing during the pandemic. 

“It is a great honour and I’m sure members will join me in sending Rachel our congratulations.”

The Queen’s Police Medal is awarded to officers of any rank for acts of courage and conspicuous devotion to duty.

Rachel took command of the operation to save the town of Whaley Bridge when a dam wall at Toddbrook Reservoir came close to collapsing in August 2019 and then led the Force through the last 10 months of the coronavirus crisis.

She said: “I am immensely privileged to have been awarded a Queen’s Police Medal and feel incredibly lucky to be recognised alongside such dedicated and hard-working colleagues from across the country.

“During my time in Derbyshire, latterly as Chief Constable - a position that I feel so incredibly proud to hold - we have seen the Whaley Bridge emergency, extreme flooding and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“Throughout all of these incidents I have been supported by the officers and staff within the Force, our partners across the county and the fantastic communities the length and breadth of Derbyshire.”

The Chief’s predecessor and fellow Queen’s Police Medal holder Peter Goodman was also recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours with an OBE for services to policing and prevention of crime.

Mr Goodman retired last summer after a 32-year police career including 13 years as Derbyshire’s Chief Constable.

Tony said: “Our congratulations also go out to Peter Goodman who made such a significant contribution to policing and serving the people of Derbyshire during his time here.”