The Executive Team provides Northumbria Police with the leadership needed to ensure delivery of the force strategy.
Each member of the Executive Team is designated with responsibility and leadership for key areas, ensuring policing, strategies and methods are developed to support the force in providing the service expected by its communities.
The team works with colleagues, the Police and Crime Commissioner, staff associations, external organisations, the Home Office, partners in the criminal justice system and the private business sector, to support the force as it serves Northumbria’s communities.
Vanessa Jardine – Chief Constable
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 where 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.
Debbie Ford - Deputy Chief Constable
Deputy Chief Constable Debbie Ford joined Northumbria as a PC in 1993 before rising through the ranks and serving as the Force’s Head of Crime until 2015. She was temporarily promoted to Assistant Chief Constable but left the Force eight months later to take a permanent position at Greater Manchester Police. Debbie returned to Northumbria as Assistant Chief Constable in 2019 and was later appointed the role of Deputy Chief Constable. Debbie is responsible for Business Performance and Standards which include: Professional Standards Department, Corporate Development, Force Transformation Lead and Legal Department.
Scott Young - Assistant Chief Constable
Scott joined Northumbria from Humberside Police. Scott is an extremely experienced officer and during his time in Humberside he led on a number of initiatives including the roll-out of Neighbourhood Policing and served as Divisional Commander for the City of Hull. Rising through the ranks, he held the position of Temporary Assistant Chief Constable in Humberside from February 2017 to September 2019.
Alastair Simpson - Assistant Chief Constable
Alastair has spent most of his service working at Cleveland Police and more recently in Durham Police. As Assistant Chief Constable for Northumbria, Alastair has the responsibility for departments such as Crime, Safeguarding, Criminal Justice and Custody, Forensic Services, as well as the North East Regional Crime Unit (NEROCU).
Joscelin Lawson- Assistant Chief Officer (Corporate Services)
Joscelin joined Northumbria Police in 1990 and is the strategic lead for departments such as People Services, People Development, Communication & Engagement, Business Services, Finance, Estates and Fleet.
David Sadler - Chief Information Officer
As Chief Information Officer David is transforming the IT function from ICT to “Digital Policing”. Over the next 18 months the Force will see an IT service that is much more engaged, Force driven and visionary. Built ground up to deliver the Force Strategic Priorities, it will equip the Force with innovative, easy to use Technology and IT solutions allowing Police Officers and Staff to do their work safely, collaboratively, and efficiently.
Brad Howe - Temporary Assistant Chief Constable
Brad began his policing with Durham Constabulary in 1993 before joining Northumbria Police in 2016. During Brad’s career he has taken on a variety of roles including Senior Investigating Officer for homicide and Kidnap and Extortion , as well as leading on strategic change projects. As Temporary Assistant Chief Constable, Brad is responsible for response and neighbourhood policing together with crime investigation. He is the strategic lead for problem solving, community engagement, partnerships and legitimacy and public confidence.
