1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Chief inspector

Chief inspector

Alternative titles for this job include Detective chief inspector, DCI

Chief inspectors manage operational teams in their districts, planning and monitoring policing operations, including responses to major incidents.

Average salary (a year)

£58,000 Starter

to

£67,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

42 to 48 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays attending events or appointments

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become 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 a 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 to Inspector or Superintendent programmes. 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'll 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

Career tips

Application dates for police recruitment programmes can vary between forces. Check with your local police force for details.

Further information

You can get more advice about becoming a chief inspector from the College of Policing.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • leadership skills
  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • 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
  • persistence and determination
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a chief inspector, you would:

  • assess intelligence information
  • plan operations and the resources needed
  • manage a team of investigators, officers and other police staff
  • work closely with communities and partner agencies
  • manage staff performance and budgets
  • review operations and develop policing policies and tactics
  • take charge of the response to major incidents in your area when they happen

Working environment

You could work at a police station or in the community.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience and further training, you could move up the policing ranks from chief inspector to superintendent, and on to assistant chief constable and chief constable.

You could also move into the security services, for instance:

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a Chief inspector right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Entry to Uniformed Services

  • Provider: LUMINATE EDUCATION GROUP
  • Start date: 13 September 2025
  • Location: Leeds

NCFE L2 CERT UNIFORMED SERVICES

  • Provider: TEC PARTNERSHIP
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Beverley
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.