Female Deputy Chief Constable Announced for Derbyshire

Rachel Swann is Derbyshire’s new Deputy Chief Constable.

Although her career and aptitude should be judged purely on their own, it is important to note that Rachel Swann joins a team composed of 18 other high ranking officers in Derbyshire Constabulary, only 3 of whom are female – Tracy Lewis, Head of Criminal Justice Department; Rachel Osborne, Chief Superintendant for Chesterfield, NE Derbyshire, Bolsover and Amber Valley; and Superintendant Michelle Shooter, Head of Operational Support.

Rachel, who is currently Deputy Chief Constable for Northamptonshire Police, will join Derbyshire’s force in February, replacing Gary Knighton, who only took up the role on 25th June 2017.

Rachel began her policing career with Leicestershire Police in 1994, the same year that the first ever woman was appointed as a Deputy Chief Constable (Sue Davies in Dorset). Rising through the ranks, Rachel took a key command role for security of the Team GB Olympic training camp at Loughborough University, as well as the Queen’s Jubilee visit to Leicester.

Rachel joined Northamptonshire Police as Assistant Chief Constable in 2015, before being promoted to Deputy Chief Constable in 2017.

Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Swann, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be appointed to the role of Deputy Chief Constable. Derbyshire Constabulary is a great force and I am so pleased that I will be part of it. I am really excited as the county is a great place to work and I am delighted that I will be serving the public of Derbyshire. I would like to thank Northamptonshire Police for the really enjoyable time I have had there. I am grateful to them for giving me the first opportunity to become a chief officer, by appointing me as their Assistant Chief Constable and subsequently as Deputy Chief Constable.”

Chief Constable of Derbyshire Constabulary, Peter Goodman, said: “I am delighted to welcome Rachel to Derbyshire. Rachel’s service in Northamptonshire has been exemplary and I know this will continue when she takes on her new role here in the county. We had a number of very strong candidates for the role, however, Rachel’s broad range of skills, excellent operational abilities and commitment to inclusion, fairness and transparency set her apart. I know those skills, as well as the many others Rachel has gained over 24 years of service, will make her an excellent addition to the chief officer team.”

Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire, Hardyal Dhindsa, said:  “This is good news for Derbyshire residents and Derbyshire Constabulary.  I have known Rachel for some years and have been very impressed with her leadership style and professionalism.  She is clearly committed to improving policing services for the public and I look forward to working with her”.

The Deputy Chief Constable is responsible for Professional Standards, Human Resources, and Legal and Corporate Services.