Matthew Horne named as new Deputy Chief Constable

Matthew Horne currently leads the joint Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate and will succeed current DCC Derek Benson when he retires in October.

Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh said: “Matt’s passion for policing, strategic awareness and leadership skills stood out during an extremely competitive process.” 

He added: “He will make a fantastic Deputy Chief Constable. Matt inspires loyalty, encourages new ideas and leads from the front, and the panel were impressed by his approach on both strategic and tactical challenges facing Essex Police.

“There will be time to come to express my deep personal gratitude for the work Derek has done in his role. Matt has very big shoes to fill and I am confident that he will help  us meet the challenges of modern policing in a big and diverse county.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston said: “Matt is an exceptional police officer who has already demonstrated his leadership qualities and professionalism in his relatively short time serving as head of the Serious Crime Directorate of the Essex and Kent forces.

“He is an outstanding officer who I am confident will strongly support Chief Constable Kavanagh as they lead Essex Police to meet the challenges that the next few years will inevitably bring and to lay the foundations for the future of the force.”

Since being appointed Assistant Chief Constable for the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate in May 2014, Mr Horne has played a key role in developing Essex Police’s strategic priorities to combat crimes that cause high harm to Essex communities, including targeting organised crime groups and modern slavery (human trafficking and labour exploitation).