Chief Constable of Northumbria Police
Vanessa Jardine became Chief Constable of Northumbria Police in April 2023. Vanessa sets the vision and direction for the force, leading its operational delivery to serve the communities of Northumbria Police.
Her policing career began in July 1994, when she joined Greater Manchester Police as a Police Constable. During her time at Greater Manchester Police, she served as a detective at every rank and was the head of Public Protection. She was the force lead for domestic abuse, child protection and child sexual exploitation, and finished her career there as a Temporary Assistant Chief Constable.
Vanessa previously spent some time at Northumbria Police in 2016, as a Temporary Assistant Chief Constable, on secondment from her home force of Greater Manchester Police.
In May 2019, she became Assistant Chief Constable at West Midlands Police, and was responsible for Local Policing, before taking over as Deputy Chief Constable in June 2020.
Alongside her role as Chief Constable, Vanessa is National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) Lead for LGBT+ communities, on the NPCC Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Committee. She is also the chair of the NPCC International Coordination Committee, which oversees and coordinates the assistance the UK policing gives to other countries.
