Richard became Deputy Chief Constable in the summer of 2024 and is currently Temporary Chief Constable for the force.

He joined West Mercia Police as Assistant Chief Constable for the Crime and Vulnerability portfolio in 2022 but he began his policing career with Gloucestershire Constabulary in 1998 where he performed both uniform and detective roles. As superintendent he was Head of Public Protection, Head of Intelligence, and then Head of Local Policing. In 2017 he was seconded to the National Police Chiefs’ Council as the Chief of Staff to the Chair before returning as Chief Superintendent in 2019 and having responsibility for crime and vulnerability.

Outside of work he is a proud dad of two and coaches girls’ cricket.

Rachel joined the force in June 2020 in her substantive post as our Assistant Chief Constable for the Crime and Vulnerability portfolio, overseeing, investigation, strategic vulnerability, crime management, intelligence and forensic departments. These departments are responsible for major and serious organised crime investigations, online sexual exploitation and economic crime for example.

This portfolio also incorporates Criminal Justice, which covers our processes and case management, and relationships with the courts, the Crown Prosecution Service and Probation Services. She also has regional responsibilities in relation to the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), and Counter Terrorism.

In the summer of 2024 she became temporary Deputy Chief Constable.

Caroline joined West Mercia Police in September 2024 as our temporary Assistant Chief Constable for Crime and Vulnerability.

She has joined us from West Midlands Police, where she began her policing career in 1999. She chose a career in investigation early in her service and has worked as a DC, DS and DI across the Public Protection and CID Departments. Caroline became and accredited SIO in 2012 and moved to the role of DCI on the Homicide Teams.

In 2017 Caroline transferred to South Yorkshire Police as D/Superintendent, Head of Major Crime before moving to Northamptonshire Police in 2018 as D/Chief Superintendent, Head of Crime. During her time in Northamptonshire, Caroline also worked as the Head of Corporate Services where she successfully delivered a Force Change Programme.

In 2021 Caroline returned to West Midlands Police initially working in Strategy and Direction to support the HMICFRS Inspection before returning to an investigation role as the Head of Public Protection. She was appointed Temporary ACC for Force Contact, Force Response and Corporate Communications in August 2022.

In August 2023 Caroline was accepted on to the Executive Leadership Programme and moved to the Head of ROCU whilst she completed the programme before joining West Mercia on a secondment.

Rachel’s career in policing started in West Mercia Police in 2000, joining Human Resources (HR) on a six month temporary contract on the old Kidderminster ‘A’ Division. A 12 month spell in Corporate HR followed before she moved into general management operating as a Support Services Manager on North Worcestershire Division where she stayed for six years, working as part of the Divisional Command Team.

This time working in the old BCU (Basic Command Unit) structure enabled Rachel to have more direct contact with front line policing and she was able to see first-hand the important role of professional services and facilities in enabling policing operations to deliver effectively and efficiently for the public.  

Rachel holds a Masters degree in Human Resource Development, is a Chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (MCIPD) and also holds a BA (Hons) degree in Business Studies.

In 2010 she moved into her first role as a Head of Department – Head of Resource Management and continued in this role until becoming Head of Business Support. Rachel has led significant and complex change programmes throughout her career in West Mercia and she is very passionate about ensuring an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and respected.

In October 2019 Rachel was appointed as Temporary Director of Business Services and in January 2020 she attended the Strategic Command Course, graduating in March 2020 when she returned to force in her new role of Director of Business Services.

Rachel’s focus has been on transforming the enabling services to make it easier for officers, staff and volunteers to protect people from harm.  While a great deal has been achieved, there is still more to be done and Rachel is committed to improving services and facilities to support our teams across West Mercia Police.

Richard joined West Mercia in November 2019 from North Wales Police having previously worked for Cheshire and Cumbria Constabularies. He has also undertaken roles for Cleveland County Council and the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. His has previous management experience across a range of support functions including Finance, ICT, Estates & Facilities Management, Fleet, Change, Procurement and Legal Services.

From November 2019 to September 2021 he was the Head of Commercial Services before being appointed as Director of Commercial Services responsible for Change, Finance, Procurement and Legal Services.

Richard is married with four grown up sons and lives in Crewe.