Appropriate Authority – Professional Standards Department (PSD)
Bedfordshire Police, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Hertfordshire Constabulary (BCH)
Fixed Term Contract until the end of March 2027
Location: Tempsford, Bedfordshire (Agile Working Available)
Hours: 22 hours per week
About the Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a qualified Appropriate Authority to join the BCH Professional Standards Department (PSD) on a fixed-term basis until March 2027.
This is a pivotal role within the department, supporting the PSD Senior Leadership Team in the assessment and management of conduct referrals relating to Police Officers and Police Staff. You will play a key role in ensuring proportionate, timely, and effective decision-making, enabling appropriate investigative outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Assess conduct notifications and determine how cases should be managed
- Complete severity assessments in line with relevant regulations
- Support the Appropriate Authority cadre by delivering final determinations at the conclusion of conduct investigations
- Exercise delegated Appropriate Authority decision-making powers for cases that do not meet the threshold for misconduct
- Gather and analyse information from multiple sources to inform sound, evidence-based decisions
- Collaborate and engage with senior leaders across BCH to support professional standards and organisational integrity
About You
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Proven and recent experience within a Professional Standards Department (PSD) environment
- Strong working knowledge and application of relevant conduct regulations
- Completion of appropriate training for the Appropriate Authority role
- Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to assess complex information and reach balanced conclusions
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with experience of building effective professional relationships at a senior level
- A clear commitment to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Behaviour, leading by example with professionalism and integrity
What We Offer
- Flexible, agile working (home and office-based)
- A supportive and collaborative working environment
- The opportunity to contribute to the highest standards of professionalism across BCH
Further Information
For an informal discussion or to learn more about the role, please contact:
DCI Leigh Allman - leigh.allman@cambs.police.uk - 07711 038997
Additional Advert Information
- Internal Applicants
To apply for this role, internal applicants must have successfully completed their probationary period.
If you qualify as an internal candidate within the advertising force, you may upload either your CV or the internal role summary form attached to this advert.
- Vetting Process
Please note that, as part of the vetting process, the BCH Vetting Unit may need to contact your current line manager for a Supervisor Appraisal. This requirement aligns with the 2025 National Guidelines for Vetting (APP 6.5.18).
Examples of when this may apply include:
- Transferring to another force
- Renewing vetting clearance
- Moving into a role requiring MV clearance (even if you currently hold MV clearance)
- Moving into or working in a role involving close contact with vulnerable individuals
If any of the above apply to you, please expect your line manager to be contacted when you submit your vetting application.
- Redeployment and Redundancy
This vacancy is open to employees at risk of redundancy and will remain available to redeployees until a final offer has been agreed and accepted.
Redeployees at risk of redundancy will take priority over all other applicants at any stage of the recruitment process. If successful, redeployees will remain on their home force’s terms and conditions.
- Role Profile
We recommend downloading and saving a copy of the role profile, as it will no longer be accessible once the advert closes.
- Commitment to Inclusion
As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to be themselves. We provide workplace adjustments wherever needed so that all colleagues can thrive.
If you have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the role, you will be guaranteed an interview under the Offer an Interview Scheme.
