Announcement of preferred candidate for Chief Constable

Lee Freeman

Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner Keith Hunter has announced Lee Freeman as the preferred candidate for Chief Constable of Humberside Police following the recent selection process.

Grimsby-born Mr Freeman (48), who is currently Temp. Deputy Chief Constable of the Force will now attend a confirmation hearing with the Humberside Police and Crime Panel in June. In the interim period before the hearing Mr Freeman will assume command of the Force with Garry Forsyth reverting to his role as Deputy Chief Constable with immediate effect.

Keith Hunter said: “I am delighted that the selection procedure to identify my preferred candidate for Chief Constable of Humberside Police has concluded with Lee Freeman being unanimously approved as being a suitable and strong candidate for the role by a very experienced panel of interviewers. I will put forward Lee as the preferred candidate to the Police and Crime Panel with a recommendation for them to approve the selection, that meeting will take place in June. The Chair of the Police and Crime Panel was an observer throughout the final selection process but until the selection can be considered by the whole Panel, and the report by an independent member of the selection panel is considered, I will not make further comment so as not to undermine the important role of oversight the Police and Crime Panel have to play.

“Due to the current circumstances in the senior leadership team of Humberside Police, and wishing to establish a new normality at the earliest time to encourage stability and the best circumstances for the continuing development of the Force, I have appointed Lee Freeman as Temporary Chief Constable from today. This has been done in consultation and agreement with Garry Forsyth who will revert to Deputy Chief Constable. I would like to pay tribute to Garry who, at short notice, stepped in to the Chief’s role to see the force through the period following the departure of Justine Curran and has performed admirably. Although there has been an unavoidable period of uncertainty in the force following the departure of Justine, I am of the firm belief that the force is being positioned to allow it to significantly improve over the coming years and the selection of Lee Freeman is a key event in that transition.”

Biography

Lee Freeman joined the City of London Police in 1993 having attended Kingston University, completing a BSc (Hons) Sociology. Following a transfer to Lincolnshire Police in 1996, he successfully applied for the Accelerated Promotion Course and was promoted to Sergeant in September 2000.
Over the next five years, following several operational posts within Local Policing, CID and HMIC Liaison / Staff Officer roles, Lee was promoted to Superintendent in 2005 and posted to Lincoln as the Superintendent (Operations).

In 2008, Lee was seconded to Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) as an Assistant Director. This role had overall responsibility for Lincolnshire Trading Standards, Lincolnshire Drug Alcohol Action Teams, Lincolnshire Youth Offending Service and the Safer Communities teams for the county.

In December 2010, whilst still seconded to LCC, he was successful in promotion to Chief Superintendent and subsequently promoted to Divisional Commander for South Lincolnshire. As a Chief Superintendent, Lee also became the Commander for West Division and then the Head of Local Policing for the force following a major restructuring programme.

In August 2013, he became the T/Assistant Chief Constable for Local Policing for Lincolnshire Police. In March 2015 Lee successfully graduated from the Strategic Command Course.

He was appointed as Humberside Police’s Assistant Chief Constable (Communities & Partnerships) in May 2015. Lee describes his proudest career moment as being appointed as a Chief Officer in his home force in Humberside.

Lee is married with one son. His hobbies include playing cricket, road cycling, golf and coaching football.

The selection panel consisted of:

• Keith Hunter – Police and Crime Commissioner
• Caroline Lacey – Chief Executive, East Riding of Yorkshire Council
• Rob Walsh – Chief Executive, North East Lincolnshire Council
• Dene Sanders – Chief Fire Officer, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service
• Kate van der Sluis – Director, Emmerson Kitney Recruitment Consultancy (Independent member)