DCC is preferred candidate for chief constable of Essex

Rachel Nolan has been selected as the preferred candidate for Chief Constable of Essex Police.

Mrs Nolan joined Essex Police in 1998 and has served in the same force for 27 years.

She has predominantly worked in uniformed and specialist operational roles. Thanks to support from local Rotary Clubs, she went on an exchange visit to South Africa and Lesotho to learn about cultural differences, and diversity in policing. She was promoted to Inspector, and became the Chief Constable’s staff officer.

After becoming a Superintendent in 2014, Rachel spent two years within the Criminal Justice Command.

In 2016, Rachel was promoted to Operational Policing Command (OPC) Chief Superintendent. In this role she led high-profile operations which included a visit to the UK by the US President. She also helped develop the collaboration between seven forces for firearms training alongside operational initiatives with Essex Fire and Rescue.

Rachel was seconded to the National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC). Here she coordinated the operational policing response to Brexit preparations on behalf of the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC).

In 2020, she completed the Strategic Command Course, becoming an Assistant Chief Constable.

In her two roles as an ACC, Rachel led our teams across local policing and then in contact management and operational policing.

In January 2025 Rachel was appointed Deputy Chief Constable.  She has maintained her national roles as the NPCC lead for Heritage and Cultural Property Crime, and more recently Police Support Volunteers.

PFCC Roger Hirst said:“Rachel was the outstanding candidate in the selection process and brings extensive operational and leadership experience, having served at every rank within Essex Police and has worked at a national level. She brings a clear vision for the future of policing in Essex, and a detailed knowledge of how to deliver it.

“Rachel will be stepping up at a time when there are very real challenges for policing both nationally and in Essex. Rachel has clearly demonstrated an understanding of our communities and the need to focus on prevention and getting crime down.

“Throughout the appointment process – which was rigorous and incorporated our partners – Rachel demonstrated the experience, judgement and leadership required to lead Essex Police at the most senior level.

“Essex Police has made strong progress in recent years and I am confident Rachel will build on this and continue delivering the priorities set out in my Police and Crime Plan and in the government’s Safer Streets Mission for the people of Essex.

“I’d like to thank Chief Constable BJ Harrington for his amazing work over his eight years leading the force and the strong foundations he has provided for the future.”

Rachel Nolan said:“As always in policing, we have challenges on the horizon, but we have a strong track record of delivering for the public. I see first-hand the determination of our officers, staff and volunteers to make a difference every day.

“I look forward to working with our Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst, and his team, and to collaborating with our partners, both established and new.

“I am committed to listening and working together to shape our approach, focusing on prevention, protection and professionalism, while always listening to our communities and victims to deliver the high-quality policing they expect and deserve.”

The independent appointments panel included Roger Hirst, HM Inspector of Constabulary and HM Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services; Nicole Wood, Chief Executive of Essex County Council, and Pippa Brent-Isherwood Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.