Chief Inspector - Head of Protect and Prepare (CTPSE)

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to lead the Protect & Prepare (P&P) portfolio as head of department, a function which works with the UK government, forces and overseas partners to keep people safe from the threat of terrorism.

In this role you will be a member of Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE)’s Senior Leadership Team, and you will be responsible for the continual development, implementation and co-ordination of the CT P&P Strategy for the South East region. The role holder will lead and manage the CTPSE training, organisational learning and development resources to ensure officers and staff working within CT policing in our region, are properly equipped to perform their role.

We are seeking to appoint a candidate with excellent communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills. The successful candidate will have experience of working in partnership with other agencies to deliver results.

Developing our talent is important at CTPSE. We recognise that professional progress is important and you will have the opportunity for continuous development.

This role is open to applications for substantive Chief Inspectors. Officers currently applying for promotion to the rank of Chief Inspector may also apply; successful appointment for this role will be subject to you being successful in your promotion application.

Please note that this role is part of a national, regional and local network and as a result you may be required to travel for business purposes mainly across the south east region and occasionally throughout the UK. Therefore, the successful candidate will require a full UK driving licence.

You will be also required to perform on-call arrangements for immediate response as required across the South East region.

Due to the nature of our work, security is of paramount importance to us and therefore it will be necessary for the successful candidate to obtain and maintain vetting level DV together with a number of enhanced security checks. In order to achieve this, you must be a British National and have resided in the UK for the past ten years. Exemptions may apply for overseas or other diplomatic service (with HM Government), and studying abroad. Please be aware that if successful there are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries once in post.

You can find more information about security vetting here.

How to Apply

To apply, click on the “Apply” button below and submit your application before the closing date of 30 November 2025 at 23:55hrs.

If you wish to apply you need to have support from your Head of Command / Department.

Hampshire officers need to complete an AD277b alongside their application. This form is not available on the force’s standard forms library. It can be found on the HR Portal. Please contact WFPlanning@hampshire.police.uk if you have any queries relating to this.

Kent Officers will need to inform Kent HR Resource Planning at the earliest opportunity of intention to apply.   Every Officer application form must be signed by the Chief Supt or police staff equivalent and sent to Kent HR Resource Planning no later than 5 working days prior to closing date unless exceptional circumstances apply. This is required so that Chief Officer approval can be obtained for the application to progress, which will be managed by Kent HR Resource Planning.  These steps must be completed prior to application submission.  If your application for an opportunity is not approved prior to submission to the recruiting organisation you may not be supported for release to the role, should you be successful.

Officers from other forces are welcome to apply. You may wish to consult with your HR team regarding completion of additional forms.

Substantive officers will be shortlisted against the Essential Criteria and should submit an online application form. You will be required to upload your latest PDR (or if no PDR, a recent copy of your CPD record/Focus Feedback meeting) and a copy of your Training Record. You will be also required to upload the Recommendation for Appointment Form (enclosed with the Job Advert) in the ‘Line Managers Approval Form’. Thames Valley Police (TVP) officers who have already passed the TVP Promotion, can apply as a substantive (above application requirements). 

In addition to this information, officers applying on promotion should also submit a ‘Why Me, Why Now’ letter which outlines your motivation and suitability for the role at this time. Your evidence should also demonstrate the relevant behaviours, skills, knowledge and experience in relation to your capability at this rank in accordance with the core competencies (CVF) Step up Criteria. The letter must be no more than two (2) sides of A4. The margins must not be modified from 2.54cm. All evidence outside the margins should be removed. You will also be required to upload your latest PDR (or if no PDR, a recent CPD record//Focus Feedback meeting) and the Police Officer Promotion Reference Form.

Our people say that benefits include a good work/life balance, a supportive and welcoming place to work and great opportunities to further develop your own capabilities.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact RecruitmentSE@thamesvalley.police.uk quoting the Job Reference number 23035. If you have applied for this role in the last six months, we respectfully ask that you do not reapply at this current time.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy if we receive a high volume of applications. Should you wish to apply for this post, we advise you to complete and submit your application form as soon as possible.

Please use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge when completing your application, wherever possible, as this will enhance performance.