UK Police Force
Sussex Police
History of Sussex Police
Est. 1968Policing in Sussex dates back to Brighton Borough Police, formed in 1830. Over the following century the county was policed by a patchwork of borough and county forces across East and West Sussex. On 1 January 1968 these were amalgamated into the Sussex Constabulary, which was renamed Sussex Police in 1974. Today the force is responsible for policing the historic county of Sussex - covering Brighton & Hove and the counties of East and West Sussex - serving a population of over 1.7 million people. It is overseen by an elected Police & Crime Commissioner and led by its Chief Constable.
Sussex Police Complaint Routes
IOPC Complaint Routes
Independent Office for Police Conduct - For serious complaints
Force Leadership
Jo Shiner2020–presentSussex Police's 9th Chief Constable and the first woman to hold the post, in office since July 2020.
Katy Bourne OBE2012–presentSussex Police & Crime Commissioner (elected oversight role, not a serving officer). First elected in 2012 and re-elected in 2024 for a fourth term.
Former Chief Constables
- 2014–2020Giles YorkChief Constable of Sussex Police from 2014 to 2020.
- 2008–2014Martin RichardsChief Constable of Sussex Police from 2008 to 2014.
- 2006–2007Joseph EdwardsChief Constable of Sussex Police from 2006 to 2007.
- 2001–2006Ken JonesChief Constable of Sussex Police from 2001 to 2006; later President of ACPO.
- 1993–2001Paul WhitehouseChief Constable of Sussex Police from 1993 to 2001.
- 1983–1993Roger BirchChief Constable of Sussex Police from 1983 to 1993.
- 1973–1983George TerryChief Constable of Sussex Police from 1973 to 1983.
- 1968–1972Thomas Christopher WilliamsFirst Chief Constable of the modern Sussex Constabulary (1968); died in office in 1972.