PRESS RELEASE : New inspectors of police and fire service appointed [April 2023]

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has announced the appointments of Lee Freeman KPM and Michelle Skeer QPM as new inspectors of police and fire and rescue services. They will both take up the dual roles of His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary in England and Wales and Inspector of Fire and Rescue in England.

Since May 2017, Mr Freeman has been Chief Constable of Humberside Police. In January 2019, he was asked to support Cleveland Police as interim Chief Constable during a period of crisis. He also served as a police officer at Lincolnshire Police between February 2010 and April 2015, reaching the rank of Assistant Chief Constable. Mr Freeman was awarded the King’s Police Medal in 2023.

Since March 2018, Mrs Skeer has been Chief Constable of Cumbria Constabulary, having joined the force in 1990. She performed a variety of operational roles before moving to the criminal investigation department where she held roles at every rank and led on both public protection and serious crime operations. Mrs Skeer was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in 2017.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

I’m pleased to welcome Lee Freeman and Michelle Skeer to these important roles, where they will play a vital part in ensuring that our police forces and fire and rescue services provide the excellent service that the public rightly expects.

On being appointed, Mr Freeman said:

I am delighted to be appointed as an HMI and in joining His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue.

I look forward to working with colleagues across both policing and fire and rescue services in order to ensure the services provided to the public continue to improve.

On being appointed, Mrs Skeer said:

I am delighted to be selected for the role as His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary and His Majesty’s Inspector of Fire and Rescue.

I have enjoyed working in policing for 33 years, and I am looking forward to this new challenge with HMICFRS.

Lee Freeman KPM and Michelle Skeer QPM were selected following a stringent recruitment process, conducted in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) inspectors are then appointed by His Majesty The King on the advice of the Home Secretary and the Prime Minister.

Mr Freeman and Mrs Skeer will take up their duties in August.