The UK's longest serving police chief has been found dead at home 12 days after after he retired.
Former Leicestershire Police Chief Constable Simon Cole, 55, was discovered at his home address in Kibworth Harcourt, Leics., this morning.
He had only recently announced his retirement from the force where he worked for more than 30 years and had been the UK’s longest serving Chief Constable.
Leicestershire Police said a file would now be prepared for the coroner while they supported his family as well as former colleagues.
He has been described in devastating tributes as a greatly respected man whose commitment to public service has been unswerving.
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.”
Rupert Matthews, Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland added: “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.”
Simon took charge of Leicestershire Police 12 years ago in 2010 after first becoming an officer in 1988.
Bidding farewell to the force he said they were in “in good shape financially and operationally" and described his time serving "as a great honour."
He said: “It has been a great honour to lead Leicestershire Police since 2010 and serve the communities in which I grew up.
“Every day for more than a decade their [his officers’] unstoppable acts of bravery, compassion and determination have motivated me.
“They have reminded me daily why I became a police officer and the positive difference it makes.
“In my time as Chief Constable I have seen and experienced the full breadth of what policing is expected to do, and the unexpected too.
“From Covid lockdowns and high-profile emergency incidents, to Premier League celebrations, and even the re-interment of a medieval king.
“Throughout, however, I have been happiest when I’ve seen how the force has delivered good service to the public and built trust in neighbourhoods and communities - whether it’s been safeguarding young people, tackling complex investigations, bringing county lines gangs and domestic abusers to justice, or just having a chat over a samosa or a pork pie at a local event.”
In 2016 he sparked controversy when he said he would consider allowing Muslim officers to wear full-body burkas.
He said: "We have been made aware of discussions in other police forces regarding incorporating burkas into police uniform.
"If such a request was made, it would be considered in line with force policies."
The decision was met with outrage from MPs and public figures and was also slammed by the Muslim Council of Britain at the time.
Simon grew up in Leicestershire and was educated in Market Bosworth, Northampton, Oadby and Colchester before joining West Midlands Police on the Graduate Entry Scheme.
He later joined Hampshire Police in 2003 as Assistant Chief Constable where he led on delivering Neighbourhood Policing.
He became Deputy Chief Constable in 2008 before returning to Leicestershire as Chief.
Simon was also described as a keen sportsman chairing the Leicestershire Police Sports and Leisure Section, Force Benevolent Fund and Police Sport UK National (PSUK) Lawn Tennis, cricket and Rugby Sections.
He was awarded 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 Policing from Cambridge University.
In 2014 Simon was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in the New Year's Honours List, and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts by De Montfort University.
In 2020, Simon was awarded the Sir Robert Peel Medal by the Institute of Criminology at Cambridge University for Outstanding Leadership in Evidence Based Policing.
