‘I’m proud of all the officers in Suffolk’

22 July 2024

‘I couldn’t be more proud to be in this position’, says Chief Constable Rachel Kearton, ‘and I’m proud of all the officers in Suffolk’.

Here, in an exclusive interview with the Chief Constable, we discover - after a Caribbean gap year - Rachel launched her career in policing 35 years ago. We hear how the 57-year-old mother-of-two has managed to juggle parenting and policing as we gain an insight into what life is like leading more than 1,300 cops in Suffolk.

“Suffolk is one of the smallest forces I’ve worked for. It’s a very close team here and a real sense of community and familiarity,” Rachel says, “The idea that we’re a policing family can really be felt here.

“Of course, one of the challenges that comes with being a small, tight Force is that people can be afraid to speak up. So, it presents both benefits and challenges for me.”

For Rachel, life in the police began in 1989, when she first joined Hampshire Constabulary, as a fresh-faced 22-year-old, straight after university. Prior to studying, Rachel had spent a year volunteering in a children’s home in Jamaica - an ‘eye-opening 12 months’ that she says equipped her with so many invaluable life skills she has since used throughout her career.

Chief Constable Rachel Kearton.

“A nine-to-five office job wasn’t created for me,” she admits. “I’ve never been hugely academic but instead enjoyed the idea of going out, on the streets, protecting the public. I felt a sense of privilege knowing that I was awake during a night shift while the rest of the world slept.”

Rachel spent 12 years with Hampshire Police before developing her career at West Yorkshire Constabulary. It was there that she met her husband, a seconded officer from the Met.

Promotion

In 2004, the pair married, and in 2006, Rachel fell pregnant with her first son.

“I went for promotion while I was seven months pregnant,” recalls Rachel, who successfully achieved the role of chief superintendent that same year.

After becoming parents for a second time to another son, Rachel’s husband was given the opportunity to take on a role in Turkey. And so, the family spent the next three-and-a-half-years overseas, during which time Rachel decided to take a career break, allowing her to raise their two young children, while also taking a staff officer role in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

It was in 2015 that their family relocated to Suffolk to be nearer to Rachel’s elderly parents. And, with her husband set to retire, it did not take much persuading for Rachel to apply for the Assistant Chief Constable role at their local force.

Three years later, she was Deputy Chief Constable and, in 2022, was promoted to Chief.

“When my husband and I met, we both had very established careers already. He was an inspector, and I was a superintendent. It’s never felt like our careers have clashed, though,” she says.

“He had an opportunity to take on a role in Turkey, which gave me the chance to focus on parenting while also working for a partner organisation that is very similar to policing in many ways.

Unexpected bonus

“I was able to embrace being a mum and really enjoy motherhood during that time, and I feel very fortunate to have been able to do that. I call it a ‘pause’ and an unexpected bonus in my career.”

Reflecting on the path she has taken to get to where she is now, Rachel hopes to inspire and encourage others to grab the opportunities life throws at them with both hands.

“It’s healthy to change direction,” she says, “I’ve always wanted to embrace any opportunity presented to me and I would encourage all of our officers to do the same.”

Speaking as a female officer who joined the police more than 30 years ago, Rachel says that she is pleased to see ‘so many more women on the frontline today’.

“I think women are taken a lot more seriously now,” she continued, “Our abilities are respected a lot more, which is a good step forward.”

Looking to the future, Rachel says officer wellbeing and morale ‘needs to be the focus’. She reflects on the latest People Opinion Survey results which highlighted the need for better flexibility within the Force - an area she is hoping to improve.

“I think, for things to improve in policing, we need to challenge the culture,” Rachel said.

“People don’t fit into one box. They need to feel confident and happy being the person they want to be. It’s a whole culture change, and it’s not going to be easy.”

Values remain

Rachel wants to reassure Fed members that she is working with senior leaders to better the working environment at Suffolk, by drawing on feedback from officers.

She explained: “I put a five-year plan in place in April last year, and we’re working towards delivering it. Of course, life changes - so the plan has to be adaptable to an extent.

“However the plan changes though, and however much policing changes, I believe the same values should remain: and those areas are compassion, courage, community and professionalism.

“Of course, I recognise it can be difficult for our officers to maintain these values when they’re not getting effectively rewarded for their efforts due to poor pay.”

When asked to name her career highlights, Rachel said: “I have so many memories that I will never forget. The personal interactions and friendships I’ve made along the way have to be up there.

“Some of the connections I made in the infancy of my career remain just as strong today - and for that, I’m so grateful.”

What her future career holds, Rachel says her desire to drive, grow and develop the Force at Suffolk remains.

“I’d like to stay here for the foreseeable future,” she continued. “I want to develop new relationships and develop those already established, like the one I have with the Federation.”

She praised the work of the Federation, acknowledging the much-needed support provided by the branch for its members.

“I think the Federation is vital for modern-day police officers - not only for the invaluable advice and support provided but to give officers a voice, both locally and nationally,” Rachel explains.