Ex-Leicestershire Police chief, 55, was identified by his wife after being found dead at his home two weeks after retiring, inquest hears

• Simon Cole, 55, died nearly two weeks after retiring from Leicestershire Police
• He was discovered by his wife at his home in Kibworth Harcourt on March 30
• The 55-year-old’s cause of death was not revealed, but it is believed the retired chief had taken his own life after struggling with his mental health for years
• When he retired in March he was the longest serving chief constable in the UK

The UK’s longest serving police chief constable who was found dead in his home 12 days after retirement was identified by his wife, an inquest has heard.

Simon Cole, 55, had served in policing for over 30 years, and was the chief constable for Leicestershire Police for 12 years before he was found unconscious at his home address in Kibworth Harcourt, Leicestershire. 

His cause of death was not revealed, although it is believed the retired police chief had taken his own life after struggling with his mental health for years – having been a pioneer in delivering mental health support for officers.

He leaves behind wife, Jo Cole, who identified his body the day of his death, and his two children, Ben, 21, and Emily, 17.

When he retired on March 18 he was the longest serving chief constable in the UK. 

Professor Catherine Mason, the Senior Coroner for Leicestershire at the inquest in Leicester Coroner’s Court today, said that a post mortem had been carried out but the cause of death ‘was still subject to confirmation.’ 

Earlier, his family said their ‘hearts are broken’ as they paid tribute to the ‘huge impact’ Mr Cole had on people during his 12 years in charge of policing the county in which he grew up. They have also thanked people for their ‘kind words’ as they come to terms with their loss.

In a statement, Mr Cole’s wife, Jo Cole said: ‘We are not sure how we will manage to come to terms with Simon not being here. We were planning many exciting things for his retirement.

The UK’s longest serving police chief constable, Simon Cole, 55, (left) who was found dead in his home 12 days after retirement was identified by his wife, Jo Cole, right, an inquiry at Leicester Coroner’s Court found today

Simon Cole (pictured) had served in policing for over 30 years, and was the chief constable for Leicestershire Police for 12 years before he was found unconscious at his home address in Kibworth Harcourt, Leicestershire. His cause of death was not revealed, although it is believed the retired police chief had taken his own life after struggling with his mental health for years

‘In the last few weeks of his job as chief constable, I know that he was moved by the love, support and admiration that his colleagues gave him and how kind the community were to him about what he had achieved in his career.

‘We have to find strength now to live our lives without him. We ask respectfully for privacy at this time and to be allowed to grieve as a family.’

A former colleague said that Cole’s passion for helping others came from his own difficulties with mental health, and that Mr Cole took three months off in 2013 with depression, although the reason was not made public at the time. 

Earlier, Leicestershire’s 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.

He leaves behind wife, Jo Cole, pictured, who identified his body the day of his death, and his two children, Ben, 21, and Emily, 17. When he retired on March 18 he was the longest serving chief constable in the UK

‘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.

‘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.’

Announcing his retirement in January this year, Chief Constable Cole said: ‘It has been a great honour to lead Leicestershire Police since 2010 and serve the communities in which I grew up.

‘I am proud to have served with officers, staff and volunteers who give so much every day. I would like to thank my colleagues for their tireless dedication, commitment and professionalism.

‘Every day for more than a decade their 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. It has been a privilege to lead this force in such a vibrant city and two stunningly beautiful counties.

‘In particular, I am proud to have been able to strengthen Leicestershire Police by making it more representative of the people and communities we serve. I know that commitment and hard work will continue.

‘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. 

Earlier, his family said their ‘hearts are broken’ as they paid tribute to the ‘huge impact’ Mr Cole (pictured) had on people during his 12 years in charge of policing the county in which he grew up. They have also thanked people for their ‘kind words’ as they come to terms with their loss

Announcing his retirement in January this year, Chief Constable Cole said: ‘It has been a great honour to lead Leicestershire Police since 2010 and serve the communities in which I grew up’

‘Finally, I would like to thank my family for supporting me on this wonderful, demanding journey. Policing has asked much of them, too, and I am impossibly grateful.

‘My 33 years of service feels as though it has passed in the blink of an eye, not least because new challenges, new ideas and new people have made every day different.

‘But what has remained constant for me has been a focus on people and teamwork. I hope my time as Chief has made those priorities, so fundamental to policing, clear and felt by the people of Leicestershire and Rutland.

‘With that in mind, I have chosen to hand over the armband of my team this Spring, proud of my service and what Leicestershire Police continues to achieve. I am extraordinarily grateful to all those who have supported me in policing – and to all those who choose to make a career in it. It is brilliant. It is tough. And it is of a value and importance almost immeasurable.

‘My work will continue until a successor is appointed.’ 

The 55-year-old became deputy chief constable in 2008 before returning to Leicestershire as chief constable in June 2010, where he spent the majority of his career (Pictured: Leicestershire Police headquarters) 

Mr Cole grew up in Leicestershire and was educated in Market Bosworth, Northampton, Oadby and Colchester before joining West Midlands Police on a graduate entry scheme in 1988.

He joined Hampshire Constabulary in 2003 as assistant chief constable where he led on delivering neighbourhood policing.

The 55-year-old became deputy chief constable in 2008 before returning to Leicestershire as chief constable in June 2010.

In 2014 he was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the New Year Honours and was also made 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, which is awarded annually for ‘outstanding leadership in evidence based policing’. 

Senior Coroner Professor Catherine Mason adjourned the inquest until a date to be fixed. 

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