Chief Officer (Misconduct Panel Chair) - Headquarters, Kent

Location of Role: Maidstone, Kent 

Advert Closing Date: 13/10/2025 

Job Grade/Rank: Chief Officer

Part/Full Time: Full Time 

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Working Pattern: Mon-Fri 

Weekend/Evening Working: No

In line with the force’s commitment to minimise the impact of organisational change and develop police staff both laterally and progressively this opportunity is only open to police staff. Police officers will only become eligible to apply should the vacancy remain unfilled after the selection process and the advert is published to external applicants. See attached for full guidance on eligibility to apply for roles - Am I eligible?

We are seeking a suitably qualified executive leader with recent operational policing experience to chair misconduct panels and help uphold the highest professional standards across our organisation.

This is an opportunity to make a real impact, supporting a culture of fairness, learning and accountability in line with the standards of professional behaviour and the Code of Ethics for Policing.

About the role

As Misconduct Panel Chair, you will oversee misconduct proceedings under the Police (Conduct) Regulations. You will work alongside independent panel members and a Legally Qualified Person to assess evidence, apply relevant legal frameworks and make fair and proportionate decisions.

You must have previously held the substantive rank of Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) or higher, and left this role within the last 2 years.

Key responsibilities

The success applicant will be required to:

• Review case papers under the Police (Conduct) Regulations and relevant employment law
• Analyse complex documents and evidence
• Chair preliminary hearings and address procedural or legal issues
• Work collaboratively with panel members to determine outcomes and sanctions
• Work with the Legally Qualified Person to produce clear, thorough written decisions explaining the rationale behind outcomes.

What we are looking for

The successful applicant must:

• Have experience as a substantive Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) or above within the last 2 years, including the overseeing and management of operational policing matters
• Have experience of chairing Police Misconduct hearings under Police Conduct Regulations
• Be skilled in chairing formal meetings and managing complex discussions
• Experienced in navigating and operating within legislative and regulatory frameworks, ensuring adherence to all applicable legislation and guidance.
• Be confident at making difficult decisions with an objective and fair approach
• Have clear, adaptable communication and effective interpersonal skills
• Have completed the College of Policing – Police Gross Misconduct Panel Chair Training (desirable).

How to apply

To formally apply for this role, please ensure you submit your current CV along with a covering letter outlining your suitability for this post.

For an informal conversation about the role please contact Charles.Goodhew@kent.police.uk.

Additional information

• Vetting level: MV & SC required
• Applicants must have a minimum 5-year checkable UK history
• Interviews will take place on the 16th October 2025 for candidates who fulfil our shortlisting criteria
• You will find useful guidance on the misconduct process here:

Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020

Home Office Statutory Guidance

Police officer dismissals: Home Office review - GOV.UK

Depending on your current vetting level and security clearances, you may be required to complete additional vetting information during the recruitment process.

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.