We welcome applications from substantive Detective Superintendents and substantive Detective Chief Inspectors supported for promotion, for the role of Detective Superintendent within CTPSE Investigations.
This is an exciting opportunity to join Counter Terrorism Policing South East, to lead a unique and specialist capability, leading on the response to significant and complex investigations and incidents, protecting local communities across the South East and beyond through collaborative working with key partners, and management of threat, risk and harm.
The role will also undertake the role of PIP4 ‘strategic investigator’, in addition to being the SIO for significant and / or complex investigations when required. For this reason, it is essential that applicants are accredited to PIP Level 3, and desirable that they are accredited to PIP Level 4. The successful candidates will need to secure PIP Level 4 at the earliest opportunity.
You will also be responsible for leading and motivating staff, setting a culture that motivates, encourages inclusion and celebrates success.
We are looking for officers with excellent communication skills, with experience of building and maintaining relationships with various strategic and tactical partners and experience of negotiating and influencing with others in a collaborative context.
On this occasion we are seeking to recruit two Detective Superintendents. Both should have experience in the command of complex investigations, and we are looking for at least one of the two successful candidates to have experience of managing Counter Terrorism investigations. Other relevant investigation command experience would include Major Crime, Kidnap, Counter Terrorism, or covert policing environment.
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 London, and sometimes throughout the UK. Therefore, the successful candidate will require a full UK driving licence.
You will be also be required to perform on-call arrangements to support matters across the South East and beyond.
Due to the nature of our work, security is of paramount importance to us and therefore it will be necessary for both successful candidates to obtain and maintain Developed Vetting (DV) and Managed Vetting (MV), 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.
Due to operational requirements we will require that one of the successful candidates already holds DV vetting.
You can find more information about security vetting here.
Further Information
The following information briefing will be held to give more information about the role and give attendees the opportunity to ask questions:
- 28th September 2026
- 15th October 2026
This information session will be in person at the CTPSE Headquarters in the Thames Valley Police area.
If you would like to attend please contact RecruitmentSE@ThamesValley.police.uk quoting reference 15402 to register your attendance. Please state which session you would like to attend.
How to Apply
To apply, click on the “Apply” button below and submit your application before the closing date of Sunday 11 October 2026 at 23:55hrs.
The leadership within CTPSE and SEROCU are actively committed to embedding and sustaining an inclusive culture that recognises and champions the diversity of our people, and promotes equity and equality so that everyone can succeed at work. The region is delivering this commitment through a long term strategy that takes a holistic and intersectional approach to wellbeing & inclusion. Our strategy is underpinned by the five strategic objectives;
- Inclusive Culture – We will create, embed, and continually develop an inclusive culture for our people.
- Engaged & Involved – We will ensure our people are engaged, involved, and listened to.
- Wellbeing – We will prioritise the wellbeing of our people.
- Representation – We will attract, recruit, retain and develop a diverse workforce.
- Inclusive by Design – We will ensure that inclusion is a core principle of our policies, products, and decisions.
We welcome applications from those interested in part time and flexible working, and encourage applications from our under represented communities.
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.
Substantive Officers and those Officers applying for Promotion. 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
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).
On Promotion Officers
In addition to the information outlined above, officers applying for promotion must complete and submit the attached CVF document demonstrating how they meet the Level 3 CVF criteria. The evidence provided should clearly outline the relevant behaviours, skills, knowledge, and experience that reflect your capability at the rank sought.
Applicants are also required to upload their most recent PDR. Where a PDR is not available, a recent CPD record or Focus Feedback meeting record should be provided instead. In addition, the Police Officer Promotion Reference Form must be submitted as part of the application.
If you have any questions about the role, please contact RecruitmentSE@thamesvalley.police.uk quoting the Job Reference number 15402. 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.
