Assistant Chief Constable - Headquarters, Maidstone

Location of Role: Headquarters, Maidstone 

Advert Closing Date: 11/09/2026  

Salary Range: £125,188* to £141,050 (Plus South-east Allowance and lease car option)

Part/Full Time: Full Time 

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Working Pattern: Mon-Fri with regular evening/weekend work 

Weekend/Evening Working: Yes 

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Kent Police are accepting applications for qualified individuals wishing to be considered to join the force at the rank of Assistant Chief Constable.  The force are recruiting for a minimum of 2 roles, including both uniform and crime portfolios. The successful candidate/s will join the force’s Chief Officer Management Board and will provide professional leadership as well as supporting wider strategic operational leadership responsibilities. Kent Police is a high-performing force serving more than 1.9 million residents and millions of visitors each year. Through the Kent Police Pledge, we are committed to providing a high-quality policing service, delivered with integrity, supporting victims and tackling crime. We have made significant progress in recent years and continue to focus on improving the service provided across the county.

Whilst the Force are proud of the progress achieved, we are not complacent. We recognise there is more to do and we are seeking operationally credible strategic leaders who can help us continue to enhance the service we provide to the people of Kent. This influential strategic leadership role will play a significant part in delivering performance and in the corporate management of the force.

The successful candidates will demonstrate:

• being an inspirational and visionary leader with a clear ability to connect with officers, staff and volunteers at all levels, as well as key stakeholders.

• an understanding of the needs and issues arising from policing communities across the county.

• how they will recognise our staff as our most important asset and support maintaining an environment that enhances a healthy, skilled and empowered workforce.

• the ability to build and maintain significant networks to strengthen partnership and collaborative working, demonstrating strong political awareness in a complex and changing environment.

• a commitment and passion for the service provided to the people of Kent, demonstrating unquestionable integrity and commitment to the policing Code of Ethics.

To be eligible to apply for this opportunity candidates must:

hold the substantive rank of Chief Superintendent or above,

and

have completed and passed the College of Policing Executive Leaders Programme (ELP Stage 5) or the Senior Police National Assessment Centre (PNAC) and successfully completed the Strategic Command Course (SCC),

and

have successfully completed the A7 Authorising Officer’s Course.

Candidates must complete the necessary management level vetting and security clearance checks required to attain the rank of Assistant Chief Constable before appointment. In addition to the above criteria, the successful candidate will be required to undertake the role of Force Gold Commander which includes undertaking Strategic Firearms Command (SFC) as part of the forces on call-arrangements. Any offer of appointment will be subject to the successful candidate holding/obtaining the required accreditation to perform these duties.

A briefing session will be held for candidates on 3rd September 2026 from 14:00 therefore prompt registration of interest is essential. 

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Friday 11 September 2026.

It is currently anticipated that the assessment process for this opportunity will be held during the week commencing 21st September 2026.

To arrange an informal and confidential discussion about this opportunity and request an application pack please contact our People Development team on hr.people.development@ecis.police.uk.

*Salary and allowances payable will be in line with relevant Regulations/determinations.

Kent Police and Essex Police welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex, or employment status.

Please let us know if you require extra support at any stage of the application process, or for further information regarding this position, please email us at recruitment.business.services@ecis.police.uk stating ‘Application Support and Adjustments’ in the title of your email. Alternatively, you can call us on 01245 452833.

Where appropriate we will make adjustments to the selection process, working arrangements and/or the working environment provided it is reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.

If you’re not from the UK, you must be a resident in the UK and have lived here continuously for the last three years. You must also be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain.

If you’re from the UK you must have lived here continuously for the last three years. This doesn’t apply to those serving abroad in the British Armed Forces.

Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer. Communications may be recorded for monitoring purposes.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion are central to the values of our organisation. At Kent Police we value and embrace the unique experiences, identities and abilities that each of us bring to our roles. We strive to empower everyone to bring their authentic self openly and safely to work.

Through the dedicated commitment of our support networks, DE&I team and wider HR departments, we are on a journey to embed our DE&I commitments, ensuring Kent Police is an employer of choice; where everyone feels included.