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The Home Office confirmed that Rachel Watson will takeover as Director General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct, a post that has been filled on an interim basis since December 2022.
Rachel Watson is currently Policing Director at the Home Office. The IOPC Unitary Board welcomed the appointment saying that her expertise and experience would be vital at a time when the system that holds police to account is under significant scrutiny.
“Rachel could very easily be taking over an organisation in crisis. Instead, she inherits one with a committed and motivated workforce ready for the challenges of the future.”
The previous DG, Michael Lockwood, resigned as he had become subject to a police investigation. In March 2023, the IOPC commissioned an independent review into the circumstances of the resignation. Tom Whiting held the role of Acting DG in what the IOPC Unitary Board called ‘the most difficult of circumstances’ and thanked him for his ‘outstanding’ service.