Rachel has been an officer with Essex Police since beginning her policing career in 1998. She began as a police constable serving the communities of Canvey Island and Rayleigh. Over the next two-and-a-half decades Rachel gained experience in a variety of roles, which led her to the position of Assistant Chief Constable.  

Following promotion to Sergeant, Rachel worked in Benfleet and Rochford. She then spent a year as part of the neighbourhood policing project team. This role focused on delivering a different approach to policing our local communities.

Thanks to support from local Rotary Clubs, 2006 saw Rachel head to South Africa and Lesotho. Here she learnt about cultural differences, and diversity in policing. She was promoted to Inspector, and became the Chief Constable's staff officer. In 2007, while still an Inspector, she worked with communities in Tilbury.

In 2008, Rachel was promoted to Chief Inspector spending six enjoyable years in the role. During this time she was the District Commander for Thurrock and Basildon. She also oversaw our Roads Policing Unit and Dog Section.

After becoming a Superintendent in 2014, Rachel spent two years within the Criminal Justice Command. Here she led those responsible for manging our custody process and the administration, preparation and processing of prosecution files.

In 2016, Rachel was promoted to Operational Policing Command (OPC) Chief Superintendent. OPC officers have specialist skills and equipment. This includes our firearms unit, dog section, and road policing unit.

In this role Rachel 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. She also led operational initiatives with Essex Fire and Rescue.

Between September 2018 and January 2020, Rachel was seconded to the National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC). Here she coordinated the operational policing response to EU Exit preparations on behalf of the National Police Chief's Council (NPCC).

In 2020, Rachel completed the Strategic Command Course. This is the most senior leadership development programme in UK policing. Having passed with distinction, she was then successful in becoming an Assistant Chief Constable.

In her role as an ACC, Rachel led our teams in contact management and operational policing. These are our front-line policing teams, who help people in Essex and keep them safe. She also had overall responsibility for the force when it comes to firearm operations and the policing of public events.

In January 2025 Rachel was appointed Deputy Chief Constable.

Rachel has a BA (Hons) degree in English, PE and Sports Science. In her spare time Rachel enjoys renovating her home with her husband, Paul, who is a retired Essex Police firearms instructor. She likes walking holidays, reading, and skiing. As indicated with her degree, Rachel enjoys all types of sport and has run the London Marathon four times.

Rachel has a BA (Hons) degree in English, PE and Sports Science. In her spare time Rachel enjoys renovating her home with her husband, Paul, who is a retired Essex Police firearms instructor. She likes walking holidays, reading and skiing. As indicated with her degree, Rachel enjoys all types of sport and has run the London Marathon four times.