Position Description

The Service Police Complaints Commissioner (SPCC) provides independent oversight of the Service police to raise standards in Service Policing and is responsible for investigating the most serious complaints involving the police and sets the standard by which the police should handle complaints.

The SPCC also investigates ‘super-complaints’ with His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) with the aim of identifying systemic failures in Service policing.

The SPCC is a Crown appointment independent of the Service Police and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and made on the recommendation of the Secretary of State for Defence. The SPCC is supported by civil servants, and independent SPCC investigators and reviewers. While the SPCC is legally able to undertake investigations into matters relating to Service Police activity the main duty of this role is to provide oversight of the complaints procedures, ensuring others that have functions in relation to the procedures (appropriate authorities) comply with the legislative framework and advising where legislation may require refinement.

The key responsibilities of the role are to:

• secure the confidence of persons subject to service law and service discipline, as well as to secure the public confidence in the Service police complaints system;
• secure, maintain and review arrangements in respect to the procedures that deal with complaints, death and serious injury matters;
• make recommendations and provide advice in relation to those arrangements, (for example, training or procedures where the SPCC believes this may improve policing practice);
• independently oversee the most serious and sensitive investigations;
• engage with senior stakeholders in the Armed Forces, including the Defence Council, single Service Boards and the Provost Marshals (the Royal Navy Police, the Royal Military Police, the Royal Air Force Police and the Defence Serious Crime Unit, are each headed by a Provost Marshal), senior MOD officials and Ministers;
• act as the review body for certain cases as specified in the regulations, and
• report annually to Parliament via the Secretary of State for Defence on the delivery of the Commissioner’s functions.
• Operational daily actions include the overall responsibility of the SPCC delivery functions including: the review of complaints, consideration whether complaints referred to the SPCC ought to be investigated and the form of the investigation, undertake referrals to other relevant bodies/authorities, provide oversight to the investigative workload, interpret legislation and regulations, ensure the appropriate delegation of powers and duties to staff.

Selection Criteria

Essential Criteria

Candidates must demonstrate that they meet the following essential criteria:

• Significant strategic leadership and management experience, with a track record of success within a complex and sensitive environment.
• Demonstrable experience in a statutory, regulatory, legislative, complaints adjudication or similar environment.
• Significant experience of working at a senior level with or within either service law and the service justice system, or criminal law and the criminal justice system.
• High level of political awareness and sophisticated relationship management skills proven with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills with an ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and people at all levels of organisations.
• Excellent judgement and strong analytical skills with proven ability to make judgements and difficult decisions on complex and technical legislative and regulatory matters.

Desirable Criteria

• A barrister authorised by the Bar Council to practice in the UK or a solicitor, admitted by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority and authorised to practice in the UK with a minimum of 2 years PQE.
• Experience of navigating and guiding an organisation through complex regulatory and legislative processes and changes.
• Ability to command the confidence and the respect of the Service Police forces, Armed Forces personnel and key stakeholders.
• Ability to engage sensitively with complainants and victims, including understanding the potential vulnerabilities and challenges they face and the support they may need during the complaints process.
• Considerable personal resilience, given the individual responsibility and sensitive nature of the cases the Commissioner will deal with.

The successful candidate must abide by the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members.

How to Apply

In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in.

1. https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/create-account
2. https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/auth/sign-in

Once you are logged into your account, click on ‘apply for this role’ and follow the on-screen instructions. To apply, all candidates are required to provide:

• equality information
• information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues
• a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• a supporting statement
• a short professional biography (150 words)

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

The Advisory Assessment Panel reserves the right to only consider applications that contain all of the elements listed above, and that arrive before the published deadline for applications.