Shock Exit: Chief Constable Lee Freeman to Leave Humberside Police
Chief Constable Lee Freeman KPM is stepping down this summer after six years at the helm of Humberside Police. The Home Office has announced his new role as His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services.
From Special Measures to Outstanding
When Freeman took charge in 2017, Humberside Police was under ‘special measures.’ Under his leadership, the force has been transformed into the highest performing in the country, recently rated Outstanding by HMICFRS. Officer numbers have surged by 750, allowing the reopening of 24-hour stations across East Riding, Hull, and North and North East Lincolnshire.
“Humberside is my home force, and I have always felt privileged to lead it,” Freeman said. “I leave behind an outstanding force with strong leadership, a growing workforce, and a solid financial base. We have achieved so much, but there’s still more work to do.”
Top Marks and National Awards
- Humberside Police ranked top in call handling performance earlier this year.
- They recorded the highest positive outcome rates for victims nationwide.
- The force won the prestigious Police Force of the Year Award at the IESE Public Sector Transformation Awards in both 2022 and 2023.
Tributes Pour In
Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Evison praised Freeman’s tenure:
“Chief Constable Freeman has been an exemplary and transformational leader. His impact on Humberside Police’s rise to the best inspection grades is undeniable. Though his departure is a loss, we are launching a recruitment campaign to find someone to build on his legacy.”
“We thank him sincerely and wish him every success in his new national role.”
Policing Roots and Awards
Lee Freeman has served 30 years in policing, starting at City of London Police in 1993, then moving to Lincolnshire before joining Humberside as Assistant Chief Constable in 2015. He became Chief Constable in 2017.
In 2022, he earned the King’s Police Medal for his outstanding contribution to policing.
“It has been an absolute privilege and honour to serve the area I grew up in as Chief Constable,” Freeman added.
