Sarah Crew is the Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police, with a career spanning nearly three decades. As the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for adult sexual offences, she has been instrumental in shaping policies on policing, public confidence, and safeguarding.

She became an officer in September 1994 and took on the role of Deputy Chief Constable in June 2017. In November 2021, she became Avon and Somerset’s first female Chief Constable.

Sarah has undertaken a wide variety of roles during her career with Avon and Somerset Police, both in uniform and as a detective. Previously, she has held the roles of Head of Investigations in Bristol, South Gloucestershire Area Commander, and as programme director for Force Reorganisation.

Sarah was pivotal in the launch of Operation Soteria Bluestone, a transformative programme which sees police professionals work alongside leading UK academics to change the police response to rape and sexual assault. Nationally, she is the National Police Chief Council (NPCC) national lead for Rape and Adult Sexual Offences (RASSO) in the current cross-Government review of the way the criminal justice system responds to rape.

As Chief Constable, Sarah has placed rebuilding public trust and confidence at the top of her agenda with Avon and Somerset’s corporate vision of delivering “Outstanding Policing for Everyone”. Her key objectives to achieving this vision include a relentless focus on the perpetrators of crime; openness to scrutiny; and a move towards becoming a trauma-informed organisation.

She continues to lead on the delivery of Avon and Somerset Police’s Inclusion and Diversity Strategy (2019-2024) and the organisation’s ambition to become the most inclusive police force in the UK, by building a representative workforce where difference is valued, and people thrive.

Sarah says:

“My drive for fairness and equality lies at the heart of my passion for policing.

“I have always been determined to stand up for the underdog and against the bully, and policing seemed to me to offer the greatest opportunity to help people directly on a personal, practical and human level. It’s also important to me to be part of a team with the same clear mission and values.

“I believe policing is about helping to create the conditions that help people and their communities to thrive and make life choices and opportunities better for everyone.

“I know policing cannot do this alone, but it certainly has a role to play in establishing safety, confronting those who threaten that safety and standing up for those within our communities who are less fortunate, less equipped or have a quieter voice.”

http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk

To support the site please visit  https://www.patreon.com/c/socialworldpodcast

A podcast is planned with the Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset looking at her perspectives and challenges.