Rachel Nolan

Rachel Nolan is the Assistant Chief Constable for Operational Policing Command and Contact Management in Essex Police.

Rachel attended Chelmsford Girls’ High School, where she found her love for being active. This led to Rachel attending Loughborough University to get her degree in English, Physical Education, and Sports Science. During her time at University, Rachel had a number a part time jobs ranging from inserting letters into envelopes to working at the police fingerprint bureau through the summer.

Having started the army selection process, Rachel didn’t want to be constrained by the then-limitations for women in the armed forces and realised no such barriers existed in policing. After unsuccessfully applying for the Accelerated Promotion Course for Graduates, Rachel became a Police Officer for Essex Police in 1998.

During Rachel’s career she has had a variety of different roles, ranging from Neighbourhood Policing to Criminal Justice to Roads Policing, through to working at the National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC) where she coordinated the operational policing response to Brexit preparations on behalf of UK Policing.

A highlight in Rachel’s career was when she had the opportunity to spend time in South Africa and Lesotho learning about cultural differences and diversity in policing.

As Rachel has moved through the ranks, she has gained many additional skills, she is currently a Gold Commander for Firearms, Public Order and Chemical Biological Radiological & Nuclear. She has been the commander for some high-profile events, including US Presidential visits and the Just Stop Oil protests.

Rachel has a passion for supporting colleagues and encouraging others to recognise their potential. She champions the Essex Police’s Women’s leadership and development forum and has hosted numerous diversity and inclusion events with internal and external partners.

In her spare time Rachel and her husband Paul are refurbishing their “dusty old farmhouse” and she also enjoys walking holidays, reading, and improving her skiing. Rachel has run the London Marathon four times and is keen on all types of sport.