Chief inspector

A chief inspector is a core position within policing. It's a manager/expert adviser role in the policing professional profiles. The chief inspector core rank profile outlines the basic requirements of the role.

Role purpose

Chief inspectors manage large teams of inspectors, sergeants, constables and police staff. They may be the most senior operational response officer or manage assigned specialist policing functions such as investigations. This role carries specific legal powers in line with inspector rank enabling the maintenance of law and order.

Chief inspectors plan, manage and monitor operational policing activity. They effectively and efficiently set the plan for deployment of resources to incidents, including major and/or critical incidents. Chief inspectors manage and mitigate risk effectively in order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of officers, staff and the public and to respond effectively to problems, incidents and crime.

Key responsibilities

Key responsibility statements show the accountabilities for someone in this role. They focus on what is done, not how it is done.

• Leading multiple teams, upholding values and ethical standards. Acting with the highest level of professionalism in accordance with the law, public interest, and professional policing practice to protect the public by preventing and detecting crime.
• Planning, managing and monitoring complex policing and investigation activity for multiple teams. Managing competing demands and priorities to make informed deployment decisions and ensuring best use of available resources to deliver an effective response supporting law enforcement and enabling public safety.
• Identifying, managing and mitigating operational threats and risks in line with national guidance and operational policing plans, maximising the safety and wellbeing of officers, staff, and the public.
• Identifying and managing initial responses to major and critical incidents aligning with relevant frameworks and guidance, ensuring appropriate resource allocation and risk management enabling effective service delivery.
• Leading, developing, managing and maintaining collaborative strategic relationships with multi-agency partners and communities, influencing and leading collaboration enabling an effective approach to preventing and tackling crime and vulnerability.
• Leading the analysis and evaluation of existing processes and practices within area of work, identifying and implementing opportunities for change and innovation, and promoting best practice enabling continuous improvement, problem solving and evidence-based policing within teams.
• Leading, motivating, developing, and engaging a team of sergeants, constables and police staff. Supporting and enabling continuing professional development through regular review conversations. This will also involve discussing and agreeing goals and standards and giving timely, specific and constructive feedback. Enabling identification and support for talent development, career planning and high-performing teams. 
• Fostering an inclusive team approach, role modelling ethical behaviours and combining diverse perspectives and experiences. Supporting people to contribute, challenge, and share feedback so teams are operating in line with the force’s values and ethics, enabling successful policing.
• Protecting and promoting wellbeing and welfare of multiple teams and individuals. Supporting team members to recognise and address wellbeing needs and supporting their development to protect and enhancing the working environment.
• Managing large matrix teams, directing work, maintaining control and awareness of situations and progression. Delegating responsibility appropriately providing an efficient and effective response to problems, incidents, and crime in line with organisational requirements.
• Setting, monitoring and assessing key performance indicators for teams aligning with wider objectives, taking corrective action as necessary ensuring teams are effectively contributing towards the achievement of force goals.
• Managing large team budgets, monitoring and reviewing expenditure ensuring best use of available resources and value for money.
• Analysing performance data and information against relevant business area objectives, reporting against performance management measures informing workforce planning.