Chief Constable role profile - West Mercia Police Crime Commissioner

Post Overview

Post: Chief Constable

Accountable to: The Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia

Location: Hindlip Hall, Worcester, WR3 8SP

Responsible for: he direction and control of West Mercia Police in accordance with the Police Act 1996, in order to provide West Mercia with an effective and efficient police service, and the fulfilment of all the statutory and legal obligations of the office of Chief Constable

Role Purpose

The Chief Constable has overall responsibility for leading West Mercia Police. They will be responsible for creating vision, setting direction and culture that builds public and organisational confidence and trust. They will be responsible for enabling the delivery of a professional, effective and efficient policing service for the future.

It is expected that the Chief Constable will embed genuine empowerment at all levels of the workforce. They will ensure that every member of the organisation is enabled to deliver the Police and Crime Plan, responding to and connecting with the public, reducing crime and enabling victims to cope and recover. The Chief Constable is directly accountable for the operational delivery of policing services and the effective command and leadership of the policing response to crime, and major and critical incidents.

The Chief Constable is responsible for influencing the development of regional and national policing and may be accountable for national operations or standard setting.

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.

Key Responsibilities

Set and ensure the implementation of organisational and operational strategy for the Force, having due regard to the Police and Crime Plan and Strategic Policing Requirement and any wider plans and objectives, in order to provide an effective and efficient policing service that meets current and future policing demands.
Develop a mutually productive strategic relationship with the Police and Crime Commissioner in line with the requirements of the Policing Protocol, whilst fulfilling all statutory and legal obligations as Corporation Sole.
Develop and maintain governance arrangements and processes within the force, to ensure effective decision making and appropriate action at all levels/tiers of the organisation.
Lead the Force, communicating a clear direction, setting organisational culture and promoting values, ethics and high standards of professional conduct to enable an effective and professional service.
Lead, inspire and engage the Chief Officer Team; setting and role modelling approaches to a workforce culture that promotes wellbeing, facilitates impactful professional development and performance management to create empowered teams that effectively enable the achievement of the Force vision and goals.
Hold accountability for Force financial management and determine functional budgets within the agreed framework as issued by the Police and Crime Commissioner, to ensure the effective use of public spending and maximise value for money.
Fulfil the authorising responsibilities of a Chief Constable e.g. authorisation of intrusive surveillance and maintain operational oversight, holding accountability for effective, compliant policing responses, in order to protect the public and further develop the Force’s operational strategies. • Lead and command the operational policing responses on occasion, in the most high risk and high profile instances, in order to protect the public and ensure an appropriate and effective response.
Advise national bodies such as COBR on matters of public safety and national security to contribute to effective decision making that protects the public from serious threat and upholds the law.
Develop and maintain strategic relationships with local, regional and national partners, effectively influencing and collaborating to contribute to improvements and change in the broader operating context and enable the achievement of the Force objectives.
Represent the Force at a local, regional and national level to the public, media and other external stakeholders to promote visibility, connect with the public and build confidence in policing.
Lead national thinking, policy and guidance within an area of specialism to enable the continuous improvement of effective policing practice.
Create and drive a culture of development, change and innovation to ensure enhanced productivity, value for money and continuous improvement in evidence based policing.
Play an active role in national decision making on the development of the Police Service to enable the effective co-ordination of operations, reform and improvements in policing and the provision of value for money.

Behaviours

This role profile is set against and incorporates the College of Policing competency and values framework (level 3). The post holder will be required to operate at and maintain these standards.
You are expected to know, understand and act within the ethics and values of the Police Service.

Prior Education and Experience

Has held rank of ACC/Commander or a more senior rank in a UK Police Force (or have held one of the designated roles if appointed from overseas) or have held a senior position in the Fire and Rescue Service in cases where a single employer model has been adopted.
Authorising Officer Training.
Wide ranging operational law enforcement experience.
A demonstrable track record of successful experience of working at a strategic level, including the leadership of law enforcement officers and staff at senior leadership level.
Experience of successfully engaging with and influencing multi-agency partnerships.
Experience of implementing an effective performance management framework.
Experience of implementing successful organisational development, change and innovation.
Experience of accountability for management of significant budgets.
Up to date operational/technical policing knowledge.
Knowledge of developing legal, political, economic, social, technological, and environmental factors and an understanding of the implications for strategic planning.
Knowledge of relevant local, regional and national policies, strategies and initiatives and an understanding of the implications within the policing context.

Skills

Highly skilled in the development of ambitious vision, strategy and policy, aligned to operational realities and wider plans/goals.
Able to operate with high levels of commercial acumen, skilled in effective organisational financial management which balances conflicting resource demands and drives value for money.
Able to create strategic organisational change, to deliver appropriate responses to emerging trends and issues.
Able to scan the internal and external horizon, identifying emerging trends and issues and use these to inform strategic planning.
Able to operate with high levels of political astuteness, skilled in impacting the internal and external political landscape effectively.
Able to use a wide range of highly effective communication, problem solving and influencing techniques and methods to successfully negotiate, collaborate and influence change at the most senior levels and across a diverse range of stakeholders and partners.
Skilled in building and maintaining strategic stakeholder relationships at the most senior levels, being able to resolve issues and to reconcile conflicts of interest.
Skilled in leading, developing and inspiring people, engaging the organisation with strategic priorities, values and behaviours.
Able to reflect on and hold themselves, individuals and the organisation to account for performance and behaviours.
Able to identify, commission and implement new or improved technologies/services that have a transformational impact on Force service delivery and/or cost.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

The post-holder will be required to commit to their ongoing CPD, guided by the College of Policing framework and other appropriate bodies / materials.

Conditions

See the Terms and Conditions attached at Appendix 1.

Selection process

Applicants should submit a CV together with a covering letter (each document should be no more than 3 pages) addressing the key elements of the role profile by email to: [email protected] by 17:00 on Monday 3^rd February 2025.

Candidates’ applications will be acknowledged by email.

Anyone interested in the position is welcome to speak to the PCC and / or the Chief Executive, which can be arranged by contacting the Chief Executive via the email above or by calling 01905 331 656.

Shortlisted applicants will be informed on Friday 7^th February and will be invited to attend a familiarisation day at Hindlip on Wednesday 19^th February.

Candidates selected for interview will be invited to attend Hindlip Hall, Worcester on Wednesday 26^th and Thursday 27^th February 2025.

A detailed interview schedule will be provided. Candidates should expect this to include the need to develop and deliver presentations. The selection process will be designed to explore the behaviours set out in the Competency and Values Framework and candidates’ strengths in relation to the job description and person specification set out in this pack. The process will include interviews with a stakeholder panel, a staff forum, a police leadership forum, and a formal appointment panel.

If as a candidate you have a condition or disability that may impact or disadvantage your ability to take part in the recruitment process please make this known to the PCC’s Chief Executive, who will be happy to assist and make reasonable adjustments to accommodate.

The preferred candidate for the position will be required to attend a confirmation hearing with the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel. This is likely to be in March 2025.