Retiring Suffolk Chief Constable to ride Police Unity Tour

5 August 2026

As she prepares to bring a distinguished 37-year policing career to a close, Suffolk Chief Constable Rachel Kearton is taking on one final challenge before retirement - joining hundreds of colleagues on the Police Unity Tour.

Rachel will ride with the Norfolk chapter of the Police Unity Tour this August in honour of officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Despite describing herself as ‘a casual runner, not a cyclist at all’, she said taking part felt like the right opportunity to recognise the sacrifices made by the policing family.

"I've never done the Police Unity Tour before, but it felt like a good opportunity to recognise the sacrifices and the opportunities that our workforce put themselves through every single day," she said.

 

Suffolk Chief Constable Rachel Kearton

 

"It will be a challenge. It will be hot, and it will hurt. But I'm building up my training, and I'm looking forward to being part of it."

The annual event sees police officers, staff and supporters cycle from across the country before coming together for the National Memorial Day at the National Memorial Arboretum, paying tribute to colleagues who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Riders will be raising money for Care of Police Survivors (COPS), a charity that supports the families of those who have died in the line of duty.

For Rachel, the ride will carry particular significance. She will wear a memorial band in honour of PC Cheryl Lloyd, a Suffolk officer who was killed on duty in June 2005.

Poignant

"It's exceptionally poignant," she said. "Suffolk is a family force. We're a close-knit policing community, and because of that, I know so many of our officers and staff personally. Many of our people have parents, brothers, sisters or children who also work for the force.

"Being able to ride in memory of Cheryl is a very special opportunity.”

In fact, it was Cheryl’s sister, Sue Brace MBE, who initially encouraged Rachel to sign up to the ride.

She explained: “We were both attending last year’s National Police Memorial Day and we were innocently discussing the Police Unity Tour, when Sue suggested I do it. And here I am, signed up and ready to go.”

The emotional impact of the tour extends beyond remembering one colleague.

"I've reflected a lot on the other people I've lost along the way. I've worked in four police forces during my career, and I've lost colleagues in each of them,” she continued.

Unity Tour

"Part of the emotion is thinking about all those times they went out on duty, and some of them didn't come back.”

She believes the Police Unity Tour provides an important opportunity to highlight the work of officers and staff, both within policing and to the wider public.

"We're sometimes our own worst enemies because we overlook what policing asks of people every single day," she said.

"Not every career asks for the ultimate sacrifice. This is a way I can help highlight that, not just externally but internally as well."

Rachel also believes the event helps reinforce the connection between senior leaders and frontline policing.

"I'll be in pain, being supported by fellow Chief Constables, as well as officers and staff who deal with different challenges every day. I won't get through this ride without the team around me,” she said. 

Retire

Although she is the only rider from Suffolk, she will join the Norfolk chapter for the tour, setting off from Norfolk Police Headquarters alongside colleagues from the neighbouring force.

"I've got a close connection with Norfolk because a number of my own staff are Norfolk employees, so it felt like the right chapter to join."

Rachel has led Suffolk Police since September 2022 and said the timing now feels right for both her and the organisation.

"I think everybody has the right time to retire, and it has to be the right time for the organisation as well," she said.

"There are lots of long-term projects already underway, particularly around digital technology and future capability, and they now need someone who can see them through over the coming years."

As for life after policing, she has no firm plans.

Policing family

"The plan is not to have a plan," she laughed. "I'm looking forward to getting to Christmas, spending time with family and friends, and not feeling conflicted by work issues.

"I'll probably look at doing something else during 2027, but for now I'm looking forward to a proper break."

She added: "I'll enjoy not taking the phone to bed with me and not checking it first thing in the morning.

"But I retire with complete confidence as a Suffolk resident that I will continue to be looked after. There are some fantastic leaders coming through who will do a brilliant job taking my place."

Before then, however, her focus is firmly on completing one final challenge alongside colleagues from across the policing family.

"It will be emotional when we ride that final mile," she said. "But it will also be a reminder of just how special and unique policing is, and of the people who continue to serve every single day."

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