Deputy Chief Constable

Annual Salary £171,993

Based at Police Headquarters, Middle Engine Lane, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear.

Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine is looking to appoint a Deputy Chief Constable, who is a proven leader with the desire and determination to work with the Chief Constable to shape the future direction of Northumbria Police.

You will be progressive and innovative with a passion to bring new ideas to Northumbria Police. We are looking for someone who can lead by example and take ownership for performance and standards. Your ability to engage and inspire the workforce will be key to the delivery of a culture that promotes high standards and performance and enables inclusion and wellbeing.

Behind our high performing culture are our high performing people. We actively create a supportive and inclusive culture that promotes positive wellbeing, this makes Northumbria Police a truly great place to work, where people want to perform and be their best. This is an exciting time to be part of Northumbria Police.

The Role

This is a unique opportunity to work within a driven and ambitious executive team that deliver a positive leadership culture striving for sustained improvement within a supportive environment.

In this high profile and challenging role, you will play a pivotal role in helping Northumbria Police grow and build on public and organisational confidence whilst developing and nurturing future talent to support change and transformation to deliver an effective policing service.

As Deputy Chief Constable you will have the leadership and business skills to drive forward change and develop talent for the future which supports the delivery of true business change.

Why choose Northumbria Police?

With two culture packed cities, award-winning coastlines and vast un-spoilt countryside on the doorstep, Northumbria Police offers an amazing place to live and work.

Our teams are loyal and enthusiastic, driven to provide an outstanding service to the communities of Northumbria Police. It is for this reason we put our people first.

We continue to invest in infrastructure that will transform our processes – from people systems to a new, force-wide communications, information and intelligence platform.

At Northumbria Police, we are proud to say we have previously been named as a top performing force for victim satisfaction and community confidence.

Who are you?

You will already be operating as a highly effective leader, equipped with the strategic and political acumen to contribute to our future development.

You will have the ability to communicate strategic vision and link them to plans and objectives so that people are motivated and understand our goals.

You will be able to foster a culture of personal responsibility, encouraging and supporting others to make their own decisions and take ownership for their actions.

You will have the skills to implement and communicate new and far-reaching ways of working that can change our cultures, attitudes and performance, ultimately resulting in an engaged and diverse workforce.

You will play a lead role in driving our culture, diversity and inclusion strategies.

You will have proven ability you will develop and drive meaningful operational performance through the senior leadership of the organisation.

You will take a collaborative approach to problem solving within the communities we serve whilst effectively influencing and maintaining strategic relationships with local, regional and national partners.

Eligibility criteria

• Have successfully completed Senior PNAC and SCC or ELP (cohort 1 and 2).
• Be substantive at Deputy Chief Constable rank.
• Assistant Chief Constables undertaking ELP. Appointments will be on a temporary basis, before being confirmed as substantive, upon successful completion of the programme.
• For applications from overseas, applicants must have served in an approved overseas police force at an approved rank and will be expected to start ELP programme within 12 months following appointment.

Application process and timeline

Candidates are encouraged to have an informal discussion regarding this role with Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine. You can reach CC Jardine on ***email_hidden***

There will be opportunities to visit the force and engage with key stakeholders. Candidates should contact our Resourcing Partner Larna Fraser at [email protected] or on 07719416308.

Successful candidates will be invited to participate in the following selection process:

• Psychometric Assessment – shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in a psychometric and personality profile exercise.
• Stakeholder Panel – Comprising of external stakeholders. Candidates should note that this panel will not be scored, feedback will be provided to the appointment panel as we value the perspectives of our partners and communities. There will also be opportunity for internal engagement with members of our force.
• Presentation and Interview – will comprise of an assessed presentation and interview with the appointment panel.

Advert Closing date: 8th July 2026

Shortlisting: 10th July 2026

Familiarisation events: Will run through until 28th July 2026 and can be tailored to meet your needs

Psychometric assessment: Will be arranged with shortlisted candidates from 13th July 2026.

Stakeholder event and internal engagement: 6th August 2026

Presentation and interview: 10th August 2026

Northumbria Police fully supports a policy of equal opportunities and we welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates from all sections of the community, regardless of race, sexual orientation, religion, gender, disability or age.