Division / Department - Forcewide
Status - Full Time and Part Time Available
Contract Type - Permanent
Rank - Sergeant
Location - Forcewide
In line with the published Posting and Tenure guidance, operational requirements will always be considered prior to confirming posting dates to successful applicants.
Chief Constables' MessageWe really welcome your interest in joining our Police Force. It is a privilege to lead the teams in Surrey Police and Sussex Police who continuously work selflessly and tirelessly in order to keep people in our counties safe.
We are looking for talented and inspirational people who put the needs of the public at the heart of everything that they do and who want to make a difference. If you feel you are that person then we want to hear from you.
We wish you all the very best with your application.
Chief Constable Tim De Meyer & Chief Constable Jo Shiner
The Role and Key ResponsibilitiesApplications are welcomed from substantive Constables and Detective Constables on promotion to Sergeant or Detective Sergeant from other Force areas via transfer on promotion or level transfer. Applications will also be welcomed from individuals who wish to re-join the Force at a higher rank (please see eligibility criteria below).
Sergeants are the first level of line management in policing and as such carry an important role in ensuring effective daily supervision, guidance and support of officers and staff. They are responsible for enabling the development of competence within their team whilst ensuring that organisational standards are met and objectives achieved.
The landscape of policing is ever-changing and we are looking for leaders who have a firm grip on operational priorities, deliver an enhanced service to the public within current resources and actively empower their staff.
Strong leadership through this changing landscape is particularly important, so you will be able to demonstrate how you bring difference to the people you lead. You’ll be adaptable and innovative, bringing and encouraging diversity of thought and action, and able to engage and motivate your staff in new and challenging environments.
Surrey Police and Sussex Police collaborate across a range of operational policing services. Both forces serve a diverse range of communities, affording plenty of opportunity for a varied leadership career. We’re encouraging colleagues from under-represented groups to apply for promotion.
As part of the application, you will be able to advise us of your preferred top three roles and locations together with any working requirements (ie part time working hours, flexible working etc). Subject to your successful application and interview, your preferences will be taken into consideration at the postings panel and accommodated where possible.
We recognise that our people are balancing demanding careers with commitments and interests outside of work. We welcome discussion with candidates who want to work full-time or part-time flexible hours. If a suitable role isn’t available at the time that accommodates your flexible working requirements, you will remain in a pool whilst other opportunities are explored.
Skills & Experience
Current Serving Officers
If you feel you are ready for the next step in your career and you meet the following criteria, we would like to consider your application:
- A high level of competence at your current rank – evidenced through a current live Focus rating of satisfactory contribution.
- No formal/informal live written warnings and/or words of management advice, including action plans for performance, attendance or conduct issues.
To apply you must also:
- Be in possession of the Sergeant NPPF Step 2 legal qualification;
- Have completed all mandatory NCALT training packages;
- Have a current JRFT/OST qualification (unless you are exempt or have a condition or disability which would negate this requirement as a reasonable adjustment, as confirmed by Occupational Health); and
- Be of substantive rank.
Re-joiners
If you are considering re-joining the Force, we will welcome applications from former officers of Constable rank who have the desire to help keep communities safe, identify and protect vulnerable people and prevent and respond to harm.
The following criteria will apply:
You must
- Have served in a Home Office Force or British Transport Police (BTP).
- Have completed your probation period prior to leaving the force and achieved independent patrol status.
- Have had no disciplinary, integrity or performance issues.
- Have a full UK manual driving licence.
- Not have any cautions or convictions.
- Have not made another application to re-join another police force at the same time.
- Have resided in the UK for three years immediately prior to submitting your application (exceptions to this are considered on a case by case basis).
- Declare any business interests.
- Not be a member of the British National Party (BNP) or similar organisation.
- Not have any existing County Court Judgements (CCJs) outstanding against you or have been registered bankrupt and not have been discharged for the past three years.
- Not have any tattoos which cause offence.
- Take the NPPF Sergeants Legal Exam at the earliest opportunity.
Applications will be based on the Competency and Values Framework (Level 2)(We are collaborative Level 1)).
In order to apply you must first seek line manager endorsement, without which your application will not be accepted (re-joiners at higher rank do not require this).
The deadline date for your application and endorsement is Monday 6th April 2026 at 2359 hours. Please ensure that you have had discussions with your line manager and that they support your application. Please note the link to the line manager endorsement form will only be sent to you once you have completed and submitted your application form. You will then need to forward the link to your line manager for their completion. This will need to be completed and submitted by the deadline date, so please take this into consideration when planning your timeline for application submission.
The final shortlisting of applications will take place w/c 13th April 2026.
If successful at shortlisting, you will be invited to attend an interview based on the Competency and Values Framework (Level 2) (We are collaborative Level 1). The interview will consist of 3 questions and an operational scenario. It is anticipated interviews will take place between Tuesday 5th and Friday 22nd May 2026. If you have any dates to avoid, ie annual leave, court warnings or course commitments, please make us aware as soon as possible to assist with scheduling of interviews.
The above dates are subject to change, but communication will be sent to applicants if these changes occur.
If you have any queries or questions around the online application process, please contact the Talent & Development Team at talentdevelopment@sussex.police.uk
Diversity StatementWe are only as good as our people. It's important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach, and the skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.
We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index and Disability Confident, a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.
We are committed to being an anti-racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and to uphold anti-racist principles in both our organisation and our communities. For more information, you can read our full anti-racism statement here.
We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status, or religious belief, we would love to hear from you.
Please use the following links to find out more on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Surrey Police and Sussex Police
Additional InformationFollowing submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly. You may wish to consider adding noreply@policejobssurreyandsussex.as.recruitmail.com to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.
