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You'll usually need a degree, postgraduate or professional qualification related to the organisation's work. For example, an area like business administration, finance or law.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

You can get into this job through a senior leader master's degree in management apprenticeship.

This will usually take 2 to 3 years to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a training provider.

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

You could move into this role if you've got several years' experience of working at senior management level, along with commercial expertise.

Career tips

You'll need a very strong commitment to the organisation's aims.

You'll need:

• business management skills
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• leadership skills
• customer service skills
• the ability to motivate and manage staff
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• financial management skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Your day-to-day duties may include: 

• setting out the organisation’s aims and how it will meet them
• making decisions about the organisation’s priorities
• working closely with a senior management team to put policies in place
• managing relationships with partners
• making sure the organisation meets its legal obligations
• reporting to the organisation’s chairperson or owner
• promoting the organisation at conferences, events and in the media
• controlling budgets

You could work in an office.

How to become a chief inspector

You can get into this job through:

• working towards this role
• applying directly

Work

If you're an existing police officer, you can apply for fast-track development through the ranks. You can also apply for promotion if you're currently an inspector.

Direct Application

If you're a middle or senior manager working in commerce or industry, and have relevant skills and experience, you can apply for the Direct Entry at Inspector or Direct Entry at Superintendent programme. You'll usually need a degree or postgraduate qualification to apply.

The programmes last between 18 and 24 months and offer the training and support you need to make the switch from your current job to an operational police leader.

After completing the training and with several years' experience working at operational level, you can apply to become a chief inspector.

More Information

Further information

You can get more advice about becoming a senior officer through the College of Policing.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• knowledge of public safety and security
• customer service skills
• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• leadership skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of psychology
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass security checks
• pass background checks

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties could include:

• assessing intelligence information
• developing policing policies and tactics
• planning the best ways to carry out operations and investigations
• working closely with communities and professional partners
• managing staff performance
• reviewing law enforcement operations
• taking charge of the response to major incidents in your area when they happen

Working environment

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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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