Chief Inspector / Detective Chief Inspector
Salary: £70,344 – £73,149
South Yorkshire Police
South Yorkshire Police - Chief Inspector / Detective Chief Inspector – May 2026
If you have the drive, the vision, and qualities to become a Chief Inspector at South Yorkshire Police, we want to hear from you. The force is seeking applications from substantive Inspectors/Detective Inspectors who are looking for promotion either within force or to join SYP. Successful post holders will be instrumental in delivering the best service ensuring the force continues to improve, delivering the highest quality service for members of the public.
For substantive Chief Inspectors/Detective Chief Inspectors looking to transfer to South Yorkshire Police at the same rank please refer to our transferee process.
About the role:
As a Chief Inspector/Detective Chief Inspector, you will play an intrinsic part in ensuring the public receives the very best service from us, by working proactively and collaboratively with colleagues. The key aims of South Yorkshire Police should always be at the forefront of everything you do.
We are looking for leaders who will:
- Motivate and inspire staff, engaging with them and implementing change effectively
- Have operational credibility
- Be able to drive, improve and deliver performance outcomes
- Be truly committed and passionate about the service provided to the public of South Yorkshire.
The link below will take you to the specialist role details on the College of Policing website. The Chief Inspector core rank profile outlines the basic requirements of the role, it should be read in conjunction with the specialist role requirements.
Policing professional profiles | College of Policing
On appointment, we will assess successful candidates’ skills and experience, as you will be required to form part of the force cadre responsibilities, performing one or more of the below listed roles following appropriate training and mentoring:
1) Force critical incident manager, tactical firearms
2) PIP Level 2 Manager
3) Public order bronze or silver.
Unless otherwise exempt from PSU; for uniformed applicants we expect you will be PSU trained to level two and have deployed operationally twice during the last 12 months (exceptional circumstances are considered). If you are not already a trained and accredited Bronze Commander, be prepared to undertake this challenging role. If you are an existing Public Bronze Commander, be prepared to train as a Silver Commander.
Eligibility:
- Applications are invited from Inspectors who passed their OSPRE Part 2 or completed their NPPF Step 4 Promotion process.
- Where a candidate holds additional accreditations (for example POPS Bronze/Silver, TFC, SIO), please provide details of when these were achieved, along with examples and dates of the three most recent occasions on which they have been applied in practice.
- Detective Inspectors must have completed their ISM at DI Level
In addition:
- You must meet the Force Attendance Criteria and Code of Conduct Criteria
- You must have an up to date signed off Performance Review with a minimum ‘meets expectations’ rating or equivalent Performance Reviews for external candidates
- If you are subject to UPP or have a live performance improvement plan you will not be eligible
- If you have a live misconduct sanction you will not be eligible
- You need written comments by line managers
- You need sign off by your Chief Superintendent
For internal candidates please see attached guidance notes on how to download your PR. click here
Before progressing with your application, you should arrange to meet with your line manager to hold a professional discussion about your intention to apply and your readiness for promotion, the outcome of which is noted on your application.
Application:
Step 1: CVF Document and Sign Off
Applicants are required to download the CVF Application Questions (link below) and provide responses to the five CVF based questions. Answers provided should include examples within the last 2 years. If you are unable provide examples from the last two years (e.g. due to maternity leave), please email promotions@southyorks.pnn.police.uk to agree an appropriate timeframe for your examples.
Candidates will also need to have written Line Manager comments and sign off from their Chief Superintendent. Line manager comments; must include whether the line manager believes the candidate is ready for promotion, they will recommend the individual for this process or not, including rationale for either. If a line manager does not recommend a candidate they must state why, the candidate can choose to continue with their application and may still be shortlisted if they have additional evidence (such as PRs, Chief Superintendent sign off and within the answers to the CVF based application questions) which supports their readiness for promotion.
Chief Superintendents are required to sign off all candidate applications as validation of its true and accurate content.
Line managers and Chief Superintendents are not required to ‘support’ applications but are required to provide comment and validation of the individuals application.
Responses to the five questions will be assessed against the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) and scored one to five. Successful applications will need to meet the average of 15 across the 5 shortlisting questions. Candidates may only score one ‘2’ across the 5 questions and overall achieve the average of 15 to pass, a score of 1 in any question will result in the individual failing shortlisting.
Note: this form must be uploaded to your ORACLE application, alongside your PR/PDR for your application to be considered.
To access the CVF document, please click here
Step 2: Online Application via ORACLE
All candidates will be required to complete their application via ORACLE. You will complete the personal questions on ORACLE and must upload the CVF application questions and 2026 completed Performance Review document to your application.
Closing Date: 23:55 on the 5th June 2026
Presentation and Interview:
Interviews will commence Tuesday 7th July and run for dates across a 2 week period.
Panels will be chaired by ACC McFarlane and supported by a Chief Superintendent and Senior Police Staff member.
Information Event:
We are running an information event on Wednesday 20th May at 17.00. To join the event please click on this link at the start of the meeting.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/315137589257987?p=2Sm5VsQU4VjH1ixCTM
Meeting ID: 315 137 589 257 987
Passcode: mX6pe9U9
External candidates only, please email: promotions@southyorks.pnn.police.uk by noon on the 20th May in order for us to send you the relevant link.
Further information:
The following link provides further information about working for South Yorkshire Police in the role of Chief Inspector.
SYP is running the 2026 Chief Inspector promotion process with deployment expected from end of July 2026 onwards.
These include detective and uniformed postings across South Yorkshire. If you are successful at interview, please expect to be posted in accordance with force demand. Consideration will be given to any restrictions on location of deployment where possible, however filling vacancies based on force demand is a priority.
After we have met the current force demand, we may utilise a select list to have a pool of candidates who meet the benchmark to be promoted to Chief Inspector rank and will be posted later.
South Yorkshire is a culturally diverse area and to ensure that our service is fully representative of the communities we serve we welcome applications from all under-represented groups and individuals wishing to work part time. If you would like any further information or support, please email positiveaction@southyorks.pnn.police.uk
Vehicle Sacrifice Scheme
South Yorkshire Police is presently working with Procurement to implement a vehicle sacrifice scheme. Subject to final sign off, the scheme will allow colleagues to lease an electric or hybrid cars from a specific provider, which offers most makes and models, both new and used. The cost of the lease will be paid monthly, directly from your salary. As the deduction is made before tax, national insurance and pension contributions are applied, therefore individuals can make a substantial saving.
