Inspector 2026 SIPP
2026 SIPP Inspector Promotion Process
We are pleased to announce the upcoming SIPP Inspector Promotion process.
This is a fantastic opportunity for officers to take the next step in their careers. Through inspirational leadership, you will support the organisation to meet evolving demands and strengthen public confidence. Recognising those with the right knowledge, skills and potential is essential to adapting to the future of policing.
We anticipate 20 vacancies in the next 12 months.
Aspiring Inspectors who meet all eligibility criteria of SIPP Stage 1 can now apply for selection at Stage 2 of the SIPP process.
The following eligibility criteria applies:
- Successfully completed probation and 2 years at rank of sergeant which includes any period of temporary promotion as part of the NPPF or SIPP work-based assessment by the closing date of the submission window. (i.e. Monday 16th March 2026).
- Hold a valid legal knowledge assessment pass (SIPP, NPPF or OSPRE) - which must still be valid if successful at Selection, at point of temporary promotion.
- Engagement and evidence of competence at current sergeant rank and CPD documented in IPR.
- Continuous review and updated Promotion Readiness Reflection Tool, signed off by your line manager.
- Completed either the full First Line Leaders (FLL) course or the Accelerator course and completed block 1 of the Mid-line Leader (MLL) course.
Stage 2 assessment criteria:
The assessment criteria for the portfolio are the CVF (2024) Level 2 which have been contextualised to the core rank profiles of the target rank and aligned to the National Leadership standard for policing:
- Competency, Values Framework (CVF) level 2 Competency and values framework (CVF) | College of Policing
- Leadership standards | College of Policing (Stage three)
The Process:
- Please familiarise yourselves with the above documents and read the SIPP candidates guidance: Sergeants and Inspectors Promotion and Progression (SIPP) Leadership Promotion Portfolio (LPP) – Part A (Selection) and consider the nine questions in the LPP Part A (Selection) Inspectors Portfolio.
- You are required to register your interest on Oleeo through a short application process.
- You will be required to attend a mandatory familiarisation event which will provide you with detailed information about the process and ensure you have received the necessary information and documents to support you in completing your portfolio.
- The dates of the familiarisation events are Wednesday 11th February 16:00 hours at Police HQ and Thursday 12th February 18:00 hours via Microsoft Teams. Please email #PolicePromotions@avonandsomerset.police.uk confirming which event you’d like to attend and you will be sent an invite.
- Officers applying will then have a period of time to complete their portfolio before submission.
- Officers should submit their completed portfolio, the evidence verification form and their PS-Insp Readiness Reflection Tool via email to #PolicePromotions@avonandsomerset.police.uk between Monday 3rd March 09:00 hours and Monday 20th March 09:00 hours.
How to register your intention to apply for promotion:
- Click the ‘Apply Now’ button on the advert and follow the instructions on screen and answer all questions. This element must be completed by Monday 23 February at 12:00 hours. We are unable to accept late applications.
- Portfolio submissions can be submitted between 09:00 hours on Monday 2nd March 12 to 09:00 hours on Monday 16th March 2026. Please email the following documents to #PolicePromotions@avonandsomerset.police.uk
- Verification document
We are unable to accept late submissions.
What happens next:
- All eligibility criteria for selection will be checked once you have submitted the Oleeo application. Anyone who does not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed.
- Portfolios will be anonymised and assessed by College of Policing trained assessors. At least one assessor will be an operational police officer
- Candidates who are successful at the SIPP Stage 2 Selection will be invited to attend an in-force selection process
- Feedback will be provided at each stage of the process.
Timeline for the SIPP stage 2 selection process
Apply on Oleeo to register interest in applying for promotion to rank of Inspector | Monday 9 February (12noon) – Monday 23rd February (12noon) |
Familiarisation Event | Wednesday 11 & Thursday 12 February |
Application submission SIPP LPP Part A portfolio, PRRT & verification form | Monday 2 March (09:00 hours) – Monday 16 March (09:00 hours)
|
Results of SIPP Stage 2 Selection | Tuesday 14 April |
Candidate in-force briefing | Monday 20 April |
In-force promotion board | Monday 27 April – Friday 8 May |
Results - In-force promotion Board | Wednesday 13 May |
If results dates change due to unforeseen circumstances, candidates will be made aware.
Please note:
If you have previously applied for promotion and successfully met the national pass mark in your LPP Part A (Selection) Portfolio but were not successful at the in-force selection process, you will still need to register your intention to apply for promotion on Oleeo and state in the eligibility question that you have met the SIPP national pass mark, you will automatically be invited to the in-force promotion board.
If you have previously applied for promotion but were unsuccessful at Stage 2 Selection, then you may choose to submit only evidence against the questions that you wish to be re-assessed. If you choose to update your examples, they will be marked as new responses.
If you do not submit evidence in your LPP Part A (Selection) Portfolio your previous score for that question will be carried across to this process.
General Information
In all cases the Chief Constable reserves the right to appoint an individual to any police officer post considering welfare issues, succession planning, redeployment and development needs.
Please be aware that you may be posted to a 24/7 post. If there are any significant reasons why this may cause problems for you, such as requirements for a flexible working pattern and/or welfare considerations, this can be inputted on the Welfare form that will be sent to you if you are successful at in-force selection. Successful candidates working flexible or part-time hours may have to re-negotiate their flexible working agreement with their new manager in accordance with Police Regulations and Force Policy.
It is expected that officers once posted will remain in their new posts for at least 12 months (2 years for Neighbourhood and Custody roles) from the date of appointment and, in some exceptional cases where there is a greater payback/operational need, this period may be longer.
Every effort should also be made to reduce TOIL accrued more than 50 hours before commencing a new role.
Avon and Somerset Police are committed to equality and diversity and particularly welcome applications from people from minority and underrepresented groups. All applications will be treated on merit. If you are from an underrepresented group and would like support with the process, please email Representativeworkforce@avonandsomerset.police.uk
Please indicate on your application form if you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the promotion process. Contact #PolicePromotions@avonandsomerset.police.uk to the closing date if you require any assistance with your application form e.g. larger format.
More information on the Sergeant and Inspector promotion and progression (SIPP) process can be found in the attached PDF entitled - Sergeant and Inspector Promotion and Progression process (SIPP) (Can we add the link to this)