Leicestershire's Chief Constable speaks about his time at the University and what policing means to him

Leicestershire’s Chief Constable Rob Nixon, has spoken of the importance of his journey through Higher Education.

The former University of Leicester alumnus has much to praise about the institution which formed part of his journey to the top job.

Having graduated with a Masters in Criminology in 2004 while also holding down a job as an operational Detective Inspector, the Chief Constable speaks fondly of the times he attended lectures while also taking urgent calls from colleagues. 

“I had a fantastic time at the University. It really helped provide another layer of understanding to policing and it’s that and my experiences throughout my career which I bring to my current role,” he said.

“As a force we continue to learn, adapt, and evolve to deal with new and immerging priorities. Leicestershire is at the forefront of many policing innovations and I’m keen to make sure that continues - that’s where institutes like the University of Leicester can also play a large part. 

“I think my time studying Criminology gave me a deeper understanding of the motivations of crime and those who commit it, and therefore a better understanding of how we as a force can address it from a preventative point of view with the help of partners.

“I’ve spanned all ranks throughout the force, from PC and sergeant to Detective Inspector, Chief Superintendent and Assistant Chief Constable upwards. I never set out to become the Chief Constable but it’s a job like no other.”

The role of a Chief Constable has evolved into an exceptionally challenging position. In today's complex and ever-changing world, they are faced with a myriad of diverse and demanding responsibilities. From tackling sophisticated and evolving forms of crime to managing complex budgets and resources, Chief Constables must navigate a landscape of competing priorities. 

Additionally, they bear the weight of ensuring public safety while attempting to foster positive community relationships while maintaining trust and confidence in policing. The rise of technology and its impact on crime further adds to the challenges, requiring a delicate balance between adapting to new tools and safeguarding citizens' rights. Moreover, they find themselves tackling complex societal issues such as mental health, cyber threats, and terrorism. 

“The immense demands and expectations are multifaceted and no one day is ever the same,” says Chief Constable Nixon.

“Because I grew up in Leicestershire and spent my career here, it means that much more to me. It’s always been about helping other people and making a difference.

“That’s why it’s a privilege to lead this force. I’m fully aware of the expectation that’s on my shoulders. I provide the strategic direction and vision for it. In doing so I work closely with the Police and Crime Commissioner, the elected representative of the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. 

“Their role is to seek the publics’ views on policing and hold me to account for that delivery. A big and extremely important part of my job is being able to connect with our communities and seek their views directly.” 

With more than 30 years’ experience under his belt, Mr Nixon is one of only 50 police chiefs in the UK. He was officially confirmed as Chief Constable in November last year, having joined in 1993.

Not only does he lead the policing response throughout the city and county, dealing with crime along with the region’s response to emergencies like the pandemic, but he holds a number of national roles including the Criminal Justice portfolio for the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).

“Policing has changed so much in my time,” he adds.

“We’re far more collaborative than we have ever been, working with other organisations and agencies to prevent crime and protect victims.

“Technology itself has also changed hugely, both in the types of resources we use and those used by criminals to commit crime.

“Crime too has changed or grown exponentially in areas such as cyber-crime and fraud. The complexity has also increased and demand on all our resources continues to grow.”

Chief Constable Nixon added that that the rise of social media had amplified public awareness of events and increased its thirst for accountability.

“Being open and transparent in what we do is vital,” he said.

“My priority is to build public trust and confidence in our force, ensure it is as productive and efficient as possible and bring in the technology and infrastructure needed to sustain us for the years ahead.

“Policing is a fantastic profession and offers a huge amount of variety with any number of roles to go into. I welcome anyone who wants to spend time with us, whether that’s volunteering, work placements, or as a Special Constable so that they can really see what it’s all about. Equally, we welcome those who may wish to conduct research to help us develop as a force. 

“This is a fast-paced environment for new officers but I always tell them it’s about making a difference to people’s lives, being professionally curious and showing care and compassion when it’s needed. We’re proud to say that we have exceeded our police officer recruitment target, introducing 340 new officers to strengthen our force and take it up to 2,338 helping to serve our communities more effectively.  

“However, we’re part of a larger team and there are so many people, not just police officers, helping to make sure we get the job done.”