Deputy Chief Constable, Ministry of Defence Police

Job summary

The Ministry of Defence Police (widely known as the MDP) was formed in 1971 and is part of the Standing Joint Command (SJC) GUARDIAN, the principal delivery organisation within Defence, charged with: Protecting the Homeland, Defending Defence. MDP plays a critical role in this mission, safeguarding our people, assets and operations.

As Deputy Chief Constable, you will work directly to the Chief Constable and make a valuable contribution to the Chief Officer Group in MDP, ensuring the Force meets Defence requirements, upholds robust governance, and maintains an unwavering focus on performance, fostering a proactive and security-driven culture.

You will provide effective leadership of a vast portfolio and contribute to the overall leadership of the Force, including:

• Leadership, co-ordination and direction to the ACC portfolios of Force Operations
• Professional Standards (Force Appropriate Authority)
• Force Change Management and Business Improvement.
• Deputising for the Chief Constable as required
• Corporate and Strategic Development – both at Force level and towards Defence
• Collaboration and partnership with other MOD security providers.
• Assurance, inspection and risk management.

This is an exciting and transformative time for the MDP, and we are seeking a Deputy Chief Constable with the vision and ambition to support the Chief Constable in modernising the force, driving innovation, and leveraging cutting-edge technology to empower our officers and civilian colleagues.

Job description

The current responsibilities of the role include:

• To meet the specific statutory and legal obligations of the post.
• Provide operational leadership, authorising, advising on and directing operations and organisational development as required.
• As a permanent member of the Chief Officer Group, to contribute to the development, communication and implementation of strategies and decisions.
• Provide leadership and management of performance within your allocated portfolio area, in accordance with agreed timelines, reviewing, monitoring, and taking appropriate action when deficiencies are identified.
• Representing MDP at portfolio and management required meetings external to the Force, to ensure appropriate engagement with stakeholders.
• Provide leadership, advice and direction on the Force’s contribution to wider UK Defence responsibilities for homeland security and critical defence infrastructure protection.
• Representing MDP nationally on National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) business matters to ensure interests and requirements of the Force are met.
• Ensure, as appropriate, that the Force are fully compliant in discharging any statutory responsibilities.
• To promote and ensure the highest standards of integrity, professional conduct, and equality throughout the MDP.
• Promote diversity, equality of opportunity and fair treatment in your leadership style and management approach.

Person specification

• Has worked within the Policing environment at Chief Officer level within the past 3 years.
• Has successfully completed the Strategic Command Course or Executive Leadership Programme.
• A demonstrable track-record of exceptional strategic leadership embracing the command of law enforcement officers and senior levels.
• Provide substantial evidence of extensive operational policing experience across a broad range of areas, including planning and commanding critical and serious incidents.
• Have an understanding of relevant policies and Authorised Professional Practice especially in the area of Firearms.
• Have experience of leading and managing change across in a large and complex policing organisation where there are competing and challenging priorities.
• Experience of successfully engaging with and influencing multi-agency stakeholders to develop Force initiatives and partnerships.

Other requirements:

• It is essential that the candidate achieves 5.4 on the MSFT, and thereafter annually.
• Must undergo and pass drug and alcohol testing upon recruitment and thereafter be part of the random drug and alcohol testing programme.
• Must be able to pass the annual Personal Protection Safety Training (PPST) qualification.
• Will hold a full UK Driving License.
• Must be able to pass UK Security Developed Vetting and Police Management Vetting.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £142,309, Ministry of Defence contributes £41,226 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process no later than 23:55 on Sunday 8th February 2026 and will involve providing the two documents outlined below via the Civil Service Jobs portal:

• A CV (no more than 2 pages) setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
• A Personal Statement (no more than 2 pages) providing tangible examples that demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

External candidates who join the MOD and are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

For further information about the role and full application process, please refer to the candidate pack attached below. If you wish to receive any material in a different format for accessibility, then please contact People-CivHR-SCSCandidateSupport@mod.gov.uk.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : SCS Recruitment Team
• Email : People-CivHR-SCSCandidateSupport@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : People-CivHR-SCSCandidateSupport@mod.gov.uk

Attachments

SCS1 Deputy Chief Constable MDP - Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 2197kB)