Promotion and Lateral Transfer - Chief Inspector 2025 (External)

The Chief Inspector promotion process will be open for applications from Monday 15th September 2025 until 23:55 on Sunday 12th October 2025.

Internal and External applications are invited from substantive Inspectors and Acting Chief Inspectors for promotion to Chief Inspector rank, and substantive Chief Inspector’s on level transfer to Thames Valley Police.  

In the first instance, it is important that potential candidates discuss their application with their Chief Officer and line manager in the light of current performance, career development plans and feedback from previous applications. 

Applicants must not be subject to any outstanding complaints, recent misconduct findings, or live written or final written warnings. 

Applications which are not supported by the Superintendent and Chief Officer will not be accepted. 

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all parts of their application is compliant with the requirements set out, non-compliant applications may be withdrawn.  

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Application requirements:

1. Complete the online application form
   
2. Why Me, Why Now letter
   • Please provide a letter addressing the question ‘why me, why now’ and outlining your motivation and suitability for promotion. As an aspiring Chief Inspector you should evidence against the Chief Constable’s ‘step up to Chief Inspector’ document (attached to the job advert) along with the following key areas:
     • TVP’s Vision, Mission and Values.
     • Leading excellent operational and organisational performance improvements.
     • Collaborative leadership and partnership working.
     • • You should bear in mind the behaviours included in the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) included in the application pack, however these will form the basis of your panel assessment.   
3. Most recent fully closed PDR and Continuous Professional Development plan/ equivalent performance appraisal for external applicants.
   • This must document progress towards promotion evidencing strengths and areas for development.
4. Superintendent and Chief Officer Endorsement form
   • Which must be fully completed.
5. If applicable; feedback from a previous application to the rank of Chief Inspector  

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Reasonable Adjustments:

If you require – or are unsure if you require, reasonable adjustments at any stage of your application please ensure you mark this on the relevant box on the online form or contact the Promotions team at the point of submitting your application. 

Selection Process: 

Candidates will be contacted with the outcome of their application from 30th October. Those who are supported by their Chief Officer and are successful through the shortlisting stage will be invited to attend a board interview. These will be held at Headquarters South, Kidlington, Oxfordshire. Full board details will be provided to successful candidates. 

These will take place between Tuesdays 11th – Friday 21st November. If there are any dates or times during this period which you cannot attend, please email these to the Promotions team by the closing date of Sunday 12th October. This will allow us to promptly send out the board invitations. 

Please ensure that you keep a copy of all application details for future reference.

For any queries, please contact the Promotions team.

Fully completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on Sunday 12th October 2025. 

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