Post of Chief Constable of the Police Service of Scotland advertised

The recruitment process for one of the top policing roles in the UK is now underway with applications open in the search for an outstanding leader to shape the Police Service of Scotland.

The first Chief Constable of the new Police Service of Scotland will shape and lead the second largest force in the UK with more than 17,000 officers and around 6,500 support staff serving more than five million people.

Establishing the new service marks the most significant change to policing in Scotland for a generation.

The Chief Constable will work closely with the Chair of the new Scottish Police Authority to ensure a smooth transition to the new service, which aims to go live in under a year’s time, on on 1 April 2013.

It will bring the current eight police forces, the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA) and the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) into a single service.

He or she is expected to be appointed in October.

The intention of the Scottish Government is that the Police Service of Scotland will remove unnecessary and costly duplication, freeing up resources for frontline provision and saving £1.4 billion over 15 years.

There are currently eight Chief Constables, nine Deputy Chief Constables and 13 Assistant Chief Constables costing around £3.5m every year.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill says: ‘This is a historic opportunity for the first Chief Constable to shape and lead the new Police Service of Scotland. They will work closely with the Chair of the new Scottish Police Authority, who will hold the Chief Constable and the new service to account.

‘It’s a unique and exciting time to be part of the police service in Scotland – recorded crime is at a 37 year low and there are record numbers of police officers in communities. Policing in Scotland is already excellent – but the new service gives us a unique opportunity to do more and build on those strengths.

‘The role will be one of the most demanding and high profile policing posts in the UK, leading engagement with the public, private and voluntary sectors across Scotland, the UK and internationally.

‘The new Chief Constable will be a role model for the values of the police service,  providing inspirational leadership, determining the future shape of policing as part of an ambitious programme of public service reform across Scotland.

‘We brought forward this appointment to maintain momentum, ensure a smooth transition and leadership of the service through change so Scotland continues to have an excellent police service fit for the 21st Century.’

Details and applications forms are available online here.

The Chief Constable will be appointed through an open and transparent recruitment panel process headed by the Chair of the Scottish Police Authority and will featuring senior public figures with a range of professional experience.

The starting salary for the post is £208,100 with no bonus. One hopes that this is signal of building a culture where everyone is paid to do a good job and sacked if they don’t.

The closing date for applications is Thursday August 16, 2012.