Chief Constable to retire

Described as a “strong, effective and inspiring leader” by Suffolk’s police and crime commissioner (PCC), Mr Wilson has led the force since 2015.   

He said: “I feel honoured and privileged to be Suffolk’s chief constable, but after three decades in policing I believe the time is right for me to seek a new challenge. 

“I am extremely proud of the officers and staff under my command who day-in and day-out work tremendously hard, often in very difficult situations. 

“Much of the work they do is unsung, but the dedication they show to their communities and the difference they make to people’s lives cannot be understated. 

“During my tenure there have been many challenges, both in terms of the financial landscape and speed with which the nature of crime is changing. 

“However, Suffolk Constabulary has responded to every challenge and I know it will continue to do so in the future.” 

Mr Wilson added that he has enjoyed working with Suffolk PCC Tim Passmore and with communities who have given very valuable feedback to improve the policing delivered. 

Mr Passmore said: “Gareth has been a strong, effective and inspiring leader of Suffolk Constabulary and has led his officers through some challenging times since becoming chief.  

“I would like to thank him for his unstinting support, particularly in helping me to keep the force control room in Suffolk and in the delivery of the new local policing model. 

“During his tenure, the constabulary has been consistently graded as ‘Good’ by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, which is a huge credit to Gareth and of which we are justifiably proud, considering the difficult financial constraints placed upon the constabulary, and I thank him for this.” 

He added that he was looking forward to working with Mr Wilson until his retirement. 

Mr Wilson joined Suffolk Constabulary in July 2014 as deputy chief constable. He was appointed permanent chief constable in January 2016 after 11 months in temporary charge. 

He had previously served with Norfolk Constabulary and Essex Police, which he joined in 1989, working in both CID and uniformed roles and as a senior investigating officer, rising to the rank of detective chief superintendent with the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate. 

He currently chairs the National Police Chiefs’ Council Committee on Equality, Diversity and Human Rights, and is also the national lead for investigations, and regionally the lead chief constable for the seven-force collaboration programme and the lead for Disaster Victim Identification.