Deputy Chief Constable

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work within the Chief Officer Team and shape the future direction of BTP. The British Transport Police Authority is recruiting a new Deputy Chief Constable for the British Transport Police.

Role Purpose and background

BTPA wishes to appoint a Deputy Chief Constable to its Chief Officer Group to strengthen the leadership of BTP at this important time of change, supporting the Chief Constable and deputising for her in her absence.

The Deputy Chief Constable has operational accountability for the policing response to crime and major and critical incidents and its effective command. As an active member of the Chief Officer Group (COG), the successful candidate will be expected to provide strong and visible leadership that brings to life our Strategy, ensuring a laser focus on performance improvement alongside the restoration of trust and confidence in policing.

BTP currently has an overall revenue budget of around £420m, with approximately 4,800 police officers, special officers, PCSOs and police staff.

Key Accountabilities

Develop and maintain a meaningful operational performance framework and governance structure in line with Force strategy, to hold the senior leadership of the organisation to account for operational delivery and outcomes to enable effective law enforcement and public protection.

Contribute to the setting of the organisational and operational strategy for the Force, including wider plans and objectives, such as the Policing Plans approved by the Authority, to provide an effective and efficient policing service that meets current and future policing demands.

Support the Chief Constable in leading the Force, embedding diversity and inclusion within the organisational culture and promoting values and ethics, holding responsibility for adherence to professional standards to enable an effective and professional service.

Support the financial management of the Force, driving efficiency and productivity within the budget framework to maximise the use of resources, ensure the effective use of public spending and maximise value for money.

Develop and maintain strategic relationships with local, regional, private sector and national partners, effectively influencing and collaborating to enable the achievement of the Force objectives and develop public confidence in policing.

BTP Values

We expect you to live our values:

We Care

We are proud to protect

We do the right thing

We strive to be better every day

We are one BTP

Required Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills

Applications are welcomed from substantive Assistant Chief Constables, Deputy Chief Constables or equivalent rank and you will have a notable record of strategic delivery that has improved operational effectiveness in your current Force.

To be considered for this role you will have successfully completed the Police Leadership Programme: Stage 5 (Executive Leaders) or successfully completed the Strategic Command Course prior to 2024.

Operational Delivery – ability to create and deliver against effective operational plans which recognise local, regional and national policing initiatives, driving improved performance whilst balancing complex and conflicting resource demands and enabling the achievement of strategic goals.

Strategic leadership – Politically astute and able to navigate the internal and external political landscape effectively including experience of working at a strategic level to improve organisational dynamics, culture and delivery.

Engagement – Proven ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences of staff and stakeholders, and successfully to negotiate, collaborate and influence people including those in authority, operating with a high level of political astuteness.

Governance and financial management – A clear understanding of governance requirements in a Public Sector organisation, including sound financial and strategic risk management. Experience of accountability significant budgets and able to operate with high levels of commercial acumen.

Salary and terms

The remuneration package comprises a salary of Pay Group 2 for DCCs, currently £165,537.

The salary will be reviewed annually in line with the national settlement of police pay for Chief Officers. There will be an annual appraisal of the Deputy Chief Constable, carried out by the Chief Constable.

The BTPA does not operate any performance related pay or bonus schemes for Chief Officers. No housing allowance, car allowance or any other allowances are payable.

The postholder is entitled to 35 days annual leave per annum. The leave year runs 1 January to 31 December.

There is some flexibility in respect of role location, but it is intended that the role will be based in one of BTP’s hubs, such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff or Glasgow. It will include the requirement to visit BTP’s operational areas throughout the country, including London. On rare occasions overseas travel may be required.

The notice period for a permanent appointment is six months.

BTPA would consider a secondment for this role for the minimum term of three years. A secondee would remain on the establishment of their ‘home’ Force who would continue to pay the salary and pension contributions, recovering these from the BTP.

How to apply

Interested candidates can learn more about the role and how to apply via our dedicated microsite. Click the apply link on the right pane or below.