Rachel is the Executive Director responsible for creating and sharing knowledge and good practice in policing in England and Wales. She has led the development of the College’s What Works Centre and its authoritative toolkit. Her published studies cover issues ranging from from neighbourhood policing and what works in crime reduction to police/researcher partnerships, and from tackling race hate and the recruitment and career progression of minority ethnic police officers, to leadership and flexible working.

Rachel previously led research and knowledge teams in the Home Office and National Policing Improvement Agency, has been seconded to several independent and UK government police reviews and has advised governments internationally. She was a member of the first UK task force sent to evacuate refugees from Kosovo. Her career as a researcher began in the University of East London, and prior to that, she became fluent in French working as a trainer, interpreter and course director. Her OBE was awarded in 2013 for services to policing, specifically championing evidence-based policing.