Simon Cole death: who was retired chief constable of Leicestershire Police, tributes, is cause of death known?

Leicestershire Police’s former Chief Constable has been found dead in his home nearly two weeks after retiring from the force.

Simon Cole, who had only completed his last day as Chief Constable on Friday 18 March, was 55 years old.

Temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon said that it “is hard to put into words how devastating this news is for the entire force who loved and respected Simon”.

Who was Simon Cole?

Cole had been the Chief Constable of the Leicestershire Police, a position he took up in June 2010 and had only recently retired from.

He grew up in Leicestershire and was educated in Market Bosworth, Northampton, Oadby and Colchester.

Cole earned a BA (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Durham, an MA in History from University College, Worcester, and a Diploma in Criminology and Police from Cambridge University.

He joined the West Midlands Police on the Graduate Entry Scheme in 1988, where he worked in a variety of uniform and detective roles.

In 2001 he successfully completed the Strategic Command Course and in 2003 earned the title of Assistant Chief Constable with the Hampshire Police force, where he led on delivering neighbourhood policing.

In 2008, he became Deputy Chief Constable before he returned to Leicestershire as Chief in June 2010.

Cole was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the 2014 New Year’s Honours List, and was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts by De Montfort University in Leicester.

In 2020, he was also awarded the Sir Robert Peel Medal by the Institute of Criminology at Cambridge University. The medal is awarded each year for Outstanding Leadership in Evidence Based Policing.

The university said that the honour recognised the contribution of Leicestershire Police, under the leadership of Chief Constable Cole, to research which “helped to advance knowledge of how police can prevent harm” and helped to “make the UK the world’s leading nation for applying research evidence to policing”.

At the time, Cole said: “I am very honoured to receive this award which is named after the founder of modern policing.

“The award also reflects the work of a lot of other people who have taken evidence-based ideas and sought to use them to improve policing across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

“To go back to the place where I studied criminology 20 years ago as part of the policing command course in order to receive this award is also a very special moment for me.”

Cole represented the Leicestershire Police on the Strategic Partnership Board, and, according to the force, held a number of voluntary roles, including:

• Visiting Fellow of the Department of Criminology, University of Leicester
• Member of the De Montfort University Faculty of Law Advisory Group
• Vice President Leicestershire Guides
• Vice President Leicestershire Scouts
• Vice President of Police Mutual, which aims to support members of the police family
• Board Member of De Montfort University (2017-2020)
• Trustee of Care of Police Survivors Charity
• Member, Oadby and Knighton Multi Academy Trust   

Cole had announced his retirement from the police force in January of this year, in which he said: “It has been a great honour to lead Leicestershire Police since 2010 and serve the communities in which I grew up.”

His last day as Chief was on Friday 18 March, and he was the UK’s longest-serving Chief Constable having been in the position for 12 years.

When did he die - is his cause of death known?

On Wednesday (31 March) Cole was found dead at his home in Kibworth Harcourt, Leicestershire, at the age of 55, nearly two weeks after he retired from the force.

Leicestershire Police have said that his death has been referred to the coroner.

No further details have been released.

Tributes for Simon Cole

Temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon said: “It is hard to put into words how devastating this news is for the entire force who loved and respected Simon. Our hearts go out to his family at this difficult time and we will support them as much as we can.

“We want to respect their privacy and the coroner’s process and would ask that the public and media do so too.

“We are offering support to our staff and those who worked closely with Simon.

“I know Simon had a great impact on many of the communities of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and his death will be a great loss to many of the people he worked with.

“All we can do is pull together and mourn the loss of a greatly respected man.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel said she was “desperately saddened” to hear the news.

She tweeted: “He was passionate about delivering for the people of Leicestershire, the area where he grew up, and dedicated his life to policing.

“We owe an immense debt of gratitude to police officers like Simon and my thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.”

Rupert Matthews, Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland said: “I am shocked and extremely saddened to hear this tragic news. Simon Cole was the epitome of a great chief constable whose commitment to public service has been unswerving. We live in a safer place thanks to his leadership.

“I know that the officers and staff, past and present, of Leicestershire Police will feel his death keenly.

“It was always clear to me that he was held in high regard and with genuine affection at all levels and I ask that people remember that in the coming days. They will be grieving.

“My thoughts and sympathies are with his family, friends and colleagues. I sincerely hope that they are given the time and space to grieve in peace.”

Adam Commons, chair of Leicestershire Police Federation, described Mr Cole as a “talented, approachable and inspirational chief constable”.

“He was also a friend to many of us, who cared deeply for his cops,” he added.

Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said: “Simon was a highly respected and valued officer. He has been a long-standing and prominent member of chief constable’s council.

“In fact, as I described him at his last meeting, ‘the father of the house’.

“Over many decades, his leadership and impact have been felt by the people of Leicestershire and by all in policing.

“We will miss him.”

Leicestershire Police have said that a “public book of condolence will be established in the coming days via our website”.