Vacancy Information

This role is within a unit where Surrey Police and Sussex Police work in collaboration, whilst remaining two separate legal entities/employers with different terms and conditions.

Both Surrey Police staff and Sussex Police staff are employed in this unit on their own force terms and conditions.

Successful candidates may be appointed on the terms and conditions of employment of either Surrey Police or Sussex Police, depending on organisational requirements. A discussion will be held with the successful candidate to confirm the details of location, salary, allowances and hours.

Division / Department - Operations Command
Grade - See Advert
Status - Full Time
Contract Type - Permanent
Salary Grade Range - See Advert
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week
Shift Allowance - No
Politically Restricted - No
Location - Sussex Police Headquarters, Lewes

The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro-rata if the working hours are less than full time.

Chief Constables' Message

We really welcome your interest in joining our Police Force. It is a privilege to lead the teams in Surrey Police and Sussex Police who continuously work selflessly and tirelessly in order to keep people in our counties safe.

We are looking for talented and inspirational people who put the needs of the public at the heart of everything that they do and who want to make a difference. If you feel you are that person then we want to hear from you.

We wish you all the very best with your application.

Chief Constable Tim De Meyer & Chief Constable Jo Shiner

The Role & Key Responsibilities

A rare and exciting opportunity has become available to join the Operations Planning Team within Operations Command as one of the two supervisors.

As Operations Planning Supervisor, you will lead a dedicated team responsible for the effective planning, coordination and delivery of policing operations across Surrey and Sussex Police. You’ll oversee the mobilisation of officers and logistical resources to support large-scale operations, spontaneous critical incidents and major emergencies, ensuring that our response is both efficient and resilient.

You will manage and develop a team of Planners & Logistics Officers and Dedicated Football Officers, ensuring they are trained, motivated and equipped to deliver exceptional support to operational commanders. Working closely with Duties & Resourcing and Divisional teams, you will ensure that police resources are allocated in line with force policy and operational priorities, while maintaining fairness and value for money.

Your role will involve advising senior commanders on logistical and planning matters, representing the force at internal and external meetings, and providing operational leadership as Bronze Logistics during major events. You’ll also coordinate mutual aid requests, both into and out of force, ensuring compliance with national procedures and financial oversight.

A key part of the role is learning and development — capturing lessons identified through debriefs, driving continuous improvement across operational planning processes, and ensuring our contingency and operational plans remain current, effective and auditable.

This is a dynamic leadership role requiring confident decision-making, the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure, and a strong commitment to public safety and collaboration across agencies.

 

Skills & Experience

Qualifications and knowledge:

• There are two of qualifications which you will need to perform the role or be willing and able to complete:
• College of Policing - C4 Policing Events Course
• Working in Safety Advisory Groups (EPC)

Skills & Experience:

The successful candidate will be required to demonstrate:

• Current competence in the planning of police events and operations or similar experience 
• Previous line manager experience
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Evidence of managing/supervising and developing staff
• Ability to make fast-time decisions without recourse to senior officers or staff members.
• Ability to ’think outside of the box’ to deliver the very best product available.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing at all levels of the organisation and externally to agencies and partners.
• Ability to negotiate and influence senior management.
• To encourage staff to be innovative and inspired in their work and take responsibility for their professional development requirements.
• Ability to assist in cover of 24/7 on call for the team
• Hold a full UK driving license as there will be requirement to travel across Surrey and Sussex

 

Why Work With Us?

Policing is an exciting 24/7 business and we all have commitments outside work. We’re invested in supporting people to balance their life with work and we encourage flexible working. We are open to conversations about job shares and part time working. We encourage agile working, giving you the opportunity to manage your own diary and work wherever you give the best service to the public. This may include flexi-time and home working.

We take pride in looking after our people and offer a variety of benefits;

• career progression
• contributory pension scheme (LGPS)
• generous annual leave allowance
• discounts for everyday spend
• on-site gyms and a range of sports clubs
• generous and supportive parental leave
• financial and mental wellbeing guidance and support
• discounted contributory healthcare scheme

Please use the following links for more information on the benefits of working with Surrey Police or Sussex Police

Further Information

If you would like further information about the role, or have any questions, please contact Kendal Wells - Operations Planning Inspector: kendal.wells@sussex.police.uk

Diversity Statement

We are only as good as our people. It's important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach, and the skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.

We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of Disability Confident, hold Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status, are a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and are aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.

We are committed to being an anti-racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and to uphold anti-racist principles in both our organisation and our communities. For more information, you can read our full anti-racism statement here.

We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status, or religious belief, we would love to hear from you.

Please use the following links to find out more on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Surrey Police and Sussex Police

Additional Information

Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly. You may wish to consider adding noreply@surreysussexpolice.as.recruitmail.com to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.

This post is being advertised in parallel with Force redeployment processes. Any redeployees who are identified will be given preference. This may result in the post being withdrawn at any point during the recruitment process.

Please note that not all jobs are available for internal candidates across both Forces, the current agreed recruitment principles are;

• vacancies in collaborated units are available to all officers and staff across both Forces
• vacancies in non-collaborated units are only available to officers and staff within the Force with the vacancy unless it is advertised externally
• if the vacancy is advertised externally and an officer or member of staff from the other Force is successful it will result in a transfer of employment

Surrey Police and Sussex Police Special Constables, Volunteers and Agency Staff (excluding self employed workers) covered under the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) are eligible to apply for internal advertised posts.