Vacancy Information

Applications are welcomed from substantive Chief Inspectors and Detective Chief Inspectors on promotion to Superintendent or Detective Superintendent 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).

The landscape of policing is ever changing, and we are looking for leaders who have a firm grip on operational priorities, deliver an outstanding service to the public within current resources and actively motivate and empower their staff.

We are looking for leaders with an established track record of improving performance in an ever-changing environment. Successful candidates will have the ability to lead teams, manage demand and problem solve, whilst encouraging a positive organisational culture and supporting staff wellbeing. They will also be able to build strong and sustained relationships with communities, partners and the media whilst promoting a positive image of Surrey Police and Sussex Police.

Strong leadership through change is particularly important, so you must be able to demonstrate how you bring difference to the people you lead. Adaptability, innovation and encouraging diversity of thought and action are essential, alongside engaging and motivating teams in new and challenging environments.

Surrey Police and Sussex Police collaborate across a range of operational policing services. Both forces serve diverse communities, affording plenty of scope for a varied leadership and career opportunities. We would particularly value applications from under-represented groups to enhance public confidence and representation.

Applicants are expected to be able to demonstrate evidence of discretionary effort and operational competence, e.g. Gold Public Order, TFC, SFC, SIO, PIP responsibilities.
Successful candidates will be expected to form part of the Force on-call Gold rota.

The application will allow you to advise us of your preferred top three roles and locations, together with any specific work-related needs. Subject to your successful application and interview, your preferences will be taken into consideration in postings decisions and accommodated where possible.

As there are a limited number of vacancies available, this will be a competitive process. We wish you every success.

Chief Constables' Message

We 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

Skills & Experience

Current Serving Officers (External on promotion or level transfer)

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 – as evidenced through your current live PDR 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:

Have a current Job-Related Fitness Test / Officer Safety Training 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).

Re-joiners

If you are considering re-joining the Force, there is no restriction on how long you have been out of policing, we welcome applications from former officers 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.

Further Information

You will be required to evidence the behaviours and values set out within the Competency and Values Framework for Policing (CVF). The Code of Ethics will also remain integral to the behaviours we would expect you to demonstrate during the process.

The selection process will consist of the following:

An evidence-based application form, in line with the CVF behaviours and values. This will contribute to the final selection process.
An interview.

Applications will be based on the Competency and Values Framework (Level 3).

In order to apply you must first seek line manager endorsement (with the exception of re-joiners), without which your application will not be accepted.

The deadline for your application and endorsement is 2359 hrs on Monday 21st September 2026. Please ensure that you have had discussions with your line manager and that they support your application, as those who are not supported will be unable to apply. 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 you receive 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 and outcomes published will be by Friday 2nd October 2026 and interview invites are estimated to be sent out to successful applicants during week commencing Monday 5th October 2026.

If successful at shortlisting, you will be invited to attend an interview. It is anticipated interviews will take place across both Forces on various dates between 19th October and 13th November 2026. If you have any dates to avoid, i.e. annual leave, court warnings or course commitments, please make Tanya Spottiswoode, Workforce Development Lead tanya.spottiswoode@sussex.police.uk aware to assist with scheduling.

The above dates can be subject to change, but communication will be sent to applicants if these changes occur.

If you have any queries or questions around the application process, please contact the Recruitment Team on talentdevelopment@sussex.police.uk

Diversity Statement

We 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 Disability Confident, hold Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status, are a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and are 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 Information

Following 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.

Attachments

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Superintendent on Promotion