Promotion Process - Inspector

Cumbria Constabulary is looking for highly motivated, skilled professionals to join a high-performing team. Successful applicants will support the vision and values of the Chief Constable, to provide the best possible service for people who need us, to keep Cumbria safe.

Applications are invited from candidates who are ready to be promoted to the role of inspector. This includes both uniform and detective inspector roles.

This is an internal and external process for current and projected vacancies across various commands. Applicants should be aware that this is a force wide process. Successful candidates will be posted as required considering their specific skills and experience.

Applicants will evidence their commitment to providing a supportive environment for people in their teams, recognising and championing excellence and challenging underperformance. They will illustrate how they inspire commitment from officers and staff at all levels and foster a culture that values fairness, courage, integrity and public service. They will demonstrate their ability to act with integrity and uphold the Standards of Professional Behaviour in line with the Code of Ethics.

Eligibility:

To be eligible to apply for promotion applicants must:

Have obtained a pass in the qualifying assessment for promotion to the rank of inspector (successful completion of Step 2 NPPF or OSPRE I and II)

All candidates must also:

Have completed relevant leadership action plan suitable for the aspiration of promotion to the rank of inspector
Have an up-to-date PDR, inclusive of those under their management
Have completed all 2025/26 leadership modules (internal candidates only)
Have completed a minimum one years’ service at sergeant rank and completed their probationary service / work-based assessment
Be ICIDP qualified or have completed previous Home Office training (those wishing to be considered for a detective posting)
Not be subject of a performance-related formal action plan or any formal written improvement notice under the Unsatisfactory Performance Procedures, and
Have an acceptable conduct record as determined by Professional Standards

External candidates will also be subject to relevant eligibility checks as outlined in the information pack.

Management Approval:

You must submit the attached ‘Manager Approval Form’, including up to 500 words (total no more than 1,500 words) on each of the following CVF level 2 competencies to your chief superintendent for approval for promotion

Emotional Awareness
Take Ownership
Support and Inspire

Within this form you will also be asked to declare that you and those you directly line manage have up-to-date PDRs, that you have a leadership action plan suitable for the aspiration of promotion to the rank of inspector and that you have completed all 2025/26 leadership modules (internal candidates only).

Your chief superintendent will be asked to outline why you are suitable / ready for the role you have applied for prior to submitting your application.

Once the manager approval form has been returned to you, please attach the document to your application via the ‘attachments’ section. Details on how to upload are contained within this page.

All candidates must also upload a copy of their current PDR along with the management approval form.

Selection Process:

The selection process will consist of a presentation and interview against Level 2 of the CVF. The interview questions will be a mix of forward and backward facing questions.

Candidates will be expected to evidence their competence by way of example demonstrating relevance to the rank they have applied for.

EXTERNAL CANDIDATES ONLY

As part of the application process, external candidates will be asked to provide the following:

Please outline your skills and experience relevant to the rank applied for. (Maximum 500 words)

Please outline why you believe you are suitable to perform the role applied for in Cumbria Constabulary. (Maximum 500 words)

A relocation package for successful candidates of up to £8,000 may be available. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

External candidates will also be expected to provide endorsement from their chief superintendent or equivalent commander from their home force.

Indicative Timeline:

22nd April 2026	Advert published internally and externally
6th May 2026 (midnight)	Closing date for applications, including manager support
from 7th May 2026	Shortlisting of applications / eligibility checks
by 15th May 2026	Notification of interview and presentation question given
by 19/20th May 2026	Submission of presentations (depending on date of interview)
21/22nd May 2026	Interviews
TBC	Selection process

Cumbria Constabulary are a Disability Confident Leader; all consideration will be made to any requests for reasonable adjustments throughout the process.

For further general information regarding your application and the process please contact the Recruitment Support Team recruitmentsupport@cumbria.police.uk

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