Salary: £195,258 per annum, plus approved Chief Officer benefits package
Contract: Fixed Term appointment of five years, subject to Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act requirements and confirmation procedures
Deadline for applications: 1600hrs on Thursday 24th September 2026
Applications should be submitted to: policeofficerrecruitment@gloucestershire.police.uk
The Chief Constable has overall responsibility for leading Gloucestershire Constabulary. They will be responsible for setting a direction and culture that builds public and organisational confidence and trust. They will oversee the delivery of a professional, effective and efficient policing service for today and the future.
The Chief Constable will be expected to embed genuine empowerment and accountability at all levels of the workforce. They will ensure that every member of the organisation is enabled to deliver the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Prevention Plan, understanding and responding to public needs and ensuring strong connections between the police and the communities they serve, reducing crime and supporting victims.
The Chief Constable is directly accountable for the operational delivery of policing services, and for the effective command and leadership of the policing response to crime, major incidents, and critical incidents. They are responsible for influencing the development of regional and national policing, standard setting, and may be accountable for national operations.
The Chief Constable will need to lead the organisation across all areas of responsibility, ensuring effective operational delivery while securing best value for public money through sound financial stewardship, workforce management, and organisational development. They will use evidence-based decision making, to deliver measurable benefits.
As a corporation sole, the Chief Constable is responsible for fulfilling all statutory and legal obligations of the Office of Chief Constable and complying with any schemes of governance or consent that exist, which determine force governance arrangements. Please refer to the Role Profile for further details regarding role purpose and key accountabilities.
The successful candidate will also be expected to deliver against the core components of the Gloucestershire Constabulary Strategic Plan 2026-2030 with its connection to the new Commissioner’s developing Police and Crime Prevention Plan 2025-2029.
The recruitment process will consist of the following components:
STAGE ONE:
Candidates will complete:
A cover letter for the position of Chief Constable, Gloucestershire Constabulary, including an outline of how you meet the criteria, your career experience to date and why you are interested in the role
A competency based self-assessment application form (including the equal opportunities form).
Submission deadline: Thursday 24th September 2026, 1600hrs.
STAGE TWO:
Shortlisting is planned for 28th September 2026, and shortlisted candidates will have to undergo College of Policing Psychometric Testing.
Familiarisation opportunities will be available to applicants by contacting the OPCC Chief Executive on request: ruth.greenwood@gloucestershire.police.uk
Please indicate you would like to take up this offer by emailing the OPCC Chief Executive (email above). Familiarisation opportunities will take place at Waterwells Headquarters. This will allow applicants the opportunity to meet with key staff from across the organisation
STAGE THREE:
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to stage three which will take place at the Sabrina Centre (Gloucestershire Constabulary Training Centre) in Berkeley, Gloucestershire and consist of two sessions. Provisional date for this is 12th October 2026.
Session One: Candidates will be offered the opportunity to give a presentation to internal Gloucestershire Constabulary stakeholders. The presentation will be based on priorities which will be set through a consultation with the public. This session will conclude with a live Q&A and feedback will be given to the external stakeholder panel in the afternoon.
Session Two: Candidates will be interviewed by a panel of local stakeholders and will be chaired by the Deputy PCC. The feedback from this panel will be given to the final interview panel chaired by the PCC.
STAGE FOUR:
A formal interview panel will be held and chaired by the PCC. This will include national and local stakeholders, as well as an independent member. This will be based on the CVF Framework.
Provisional date for this is 13th October 2026.
STAGE FIVE:
Once the successful candidate has been chosen by the interview panel and PCC, the candidate will be subject to a confirmation hearing by the Police and Crime Panel.
Provisional date for this is 20th November 2026.
Thank you for expressing an interest in this role and we wish you every success in the process.
If you would like Positive Action support, please contact our Better Together Team. If you would like to discuss this role or require any further information, then please contact policeofficerrecruitment@gloucestershire.police.uk