New deputy chief constable appointed at Suffolk Constabulary
Eamonn Bridger has been confirmed as the new deputy chief constable at Suffolk Constabulary.
Currently the force’s assistant chief constable, he will be taking over the role when Rob Jones retires in September.
Chief Constable Rachel Kearton said the appointment “followed a rigorous application process”, adding: “I look forward to continuing to work with Eamonn over the coming months.”
Mr Bridger, who has held the position of assistant chief constable for four years, has been a police officer with Suffolk Constabulary for more than 23 years.
He has been a detective for more than 18 years and has worked across a variety of roles in his earlier career, including investigations, intelligence, counter-terrorism, major crime and safeguarding.
In July 2018, Mr Bridger was promoted to chief superintendent, becoming the head of Crime, Safeguarding, and Incident Management Command. In this role, he was responsible for serious and complex investigation teams, safeguarding units, proactive policing, public contact, and offender management.
He is an experienced PIP3/ PIP4 senior investigating officer, Gold public order commander and strategic firearms commander.
In June 2021, Mr Bridger was promoted to the rank of temporary assistant chief constable as collaborative lead for Protective Services and Joint Justice Services for Norfolk and Suffolk, overseeing the delivery of specialist crime and intelligence, major investigations, forensic services and specialist operations, together with custody and criminal justice.
In September 2022, he moved to the role of temporary assistant chief constable for local policing in Suffolk, overseeing County Policing Command, Crime, Safeguarding and Incident Management, Children and Young People, Corporate Change and Citizens in Policing. He is the regional lead for stop search and hostage and crisis negotiation. He became a substantive temporary assistant chief constable in May 2024.
He is the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for the National Investigative Interviewing Strategic Group, part of the NPCC Investigations Portfolio.