19/03/2026
Gary Mason
She succeeds Sir Andy Cooke, who leaves office in March 2026. The appointment process for a permanent chief inspector is being managed by the Home Office.
Michelle Skeer has been designated as interim chief inspector by the Home Secretary, following an expression-of-interest process open to serving His Majesty’s Inspectors. She will take up the post on 1 April 2026.
Michelle will be the first woman to hold the position of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.
In 2018, she was the first woman appointed to the role of Chief Constable at Cumbria Constabulary. Nationally, she has held the role of Vice Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council and led the management of violent and sexual offenders.
In 2017, Michelle received the Queen’s Policing Medal for distinguished service. In 2019, she became President of the British Association of Women in Policing.
She joined HMICFRS in 2023 and has overseen inspections of police forces and fire & rescue services across the north of England, and has held national responsibility for inspecting domestic abuse, child protection and police engagement with women and girls.