Chief Legal Officer (Headquarters, Maidstone)

Location of Role: Kent Police HQ, or other locations in Kent as required. This position necessitates office‑based attendance, with local travel, to perform the duties as required.

Advert Closing Date: 5:00pm on Friday 27th March 2026.

Starting Salary: Competitive salary plus benefits, including Pension, Car Allowance, Holiday.

Part/Full Time: Full Time.

Contract Type: Permanent.

Working Pattern: Mon‑Fri.

Weekend/Evening Working: No.

Kent Police is seeking an exceptional, accomplished and forward‑thinking legal leader to join the Force as the organisation's most senior legal professional in the role of Chief Legal Officer (CLO). This is a rare opportunity within one of the UK's largest police forces and you will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the Force. As a key senior leader within the Chief Officer Team, you will influence critical decisions that support lawful, ethical and effective policing across Kent.

You will also spearhead a high‑performing legal service and drive excellence, innovation and assurance across a complex and dynamic organisation. Kent Police is committed to making Kent a safe place to live, work and visit by providing a visible, accessible and first‑class policing service, delivered with integrity. We put victims, witnesses and vulnerable people at the heart of everything we do, continually evolving to meet the needs of our diverse communities while working to reduce crime and the fear of crime.

As one of Kent's largest employers we are committed to having a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. People join from all kinds of backgrounds, bringing a variety of skills and experience. We are responsible for policing 1,433 square miles and approximately 1.9 million inhabitants of Kent. We are a unique force in that we also operate a station outside of the UK, in Coquelles, France. The force is supported by the National Police Air Service, and we have a number of qualified drone pilots. We continue to push the boundaries for innovation and transformation with both technology and creative policing models, providing a unique platform for anyone wishing to take their career to new heights.

About the Role

In this senior leadership role, you will act as the organisation's Head of Profession for Legal Services and its senior solicitor, providing authoritative, strategic and tactical advice on complex and high‑risk legal matters. You will play a key role by contributing proactively to executive decision making and corporate governance, ensuring that legal considerations are fully integrated into the Force's strategic planning and operational delivery.

A major focus of the role will be leading, developing and continually improving a high‑performing legal team. You will ensure the department upholds strong professional standards, robust case management practices and an effective, customer‑focused service. Alongside this leadership responsibility, you will personally manage a challenging and varied caseload involving civil litigation, employment law, police law, inquests, commercial and contractual matters and regulatory issues, often involving highly sensitive or high‑profile circumstances.

You will also provide timely legal support to policing operations and senior leaders during high‑risk, fast‑moving or time‑critical incidents, ensuring that operational decision‑making remains legally sound. Building strong working relationships will be essential; you will work collaboratively with Chief Officers, external counsel, partner agencies and key stakeholders across the criminal justice system to support effective service delivery and shared outcomes.

As budget holder for Legal Services, you will ensure the transparent, compliant and value‑for‑money management of departmental resources, supporting the long‑term sustainability and effectiveness of the service.

What we are looking for

We are seeking an experienced qualified solicitor with a current practising certificate and substantial experience delivering high‑quality legal services. Prior experience in the public sector environment, such as policing, local government or the wider civil service, is not essential but the ability to navigate the public sector and its landscape is.

• A proven track record of operating at a senior legal leadership level, with the confidence and credibility to influence at Executive/Chief Officer level.
• Deep and broad expertise across litigation, employment law, police law, commercial and contractual issues, regulatory matters and inquests.
• Outstanding judgement, political awareness and the ability to provide clear strategic advice on high risk and high‑profile legal cases.
• Experience of a collaborative leadership style that inspires, develops and motivates a professional legal team.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and advocacy skills, enabling you to build trust and influence across the organisation and with external partners.
• A commitment to continuous improvement, digital innovation and modern legal service delivery.

Why Join Us?

This is far more than a legal role; it is a chance to help shape the future of policing in Kent. You will join a forward‑looking leadership team committed to delivering outstanding public service. Your expertise will directly contribute to protecting communities, supporting operational policing, and ensuring the organisation remains legally robust, ethically grounded and strategically resilient.

As one of the largest forces in the country, Kent Police has a number of unique responsibilities. As well as dealing with crime and disorder in urban and rural settings, our geographic location between London and Europe means we have a part to play in both national and international law enforcement.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Daniel Tudor, Lead Consultant at JMC Legal on Telephone: 0203 652113 / 07441937624 or by email on: daniel@jmc-legal.com.

To apply or find out more, visit: https://jmc-legal.staging.wearevennture.co.uk/job/chief-legal-officer/

All of our posts require a level of vetting and security clearance. During the recruitment process you will be sent vetting information forms to complete. Kent Police and Essex Police welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex or employment status. Please let us know if you require extra support at any stage of the application process or for further information regarding this position, please email us at recruitment.business.services@ecis.police.uk stating 'Application Support and Adjustments' in the title of your email. Alternatively, you can call us on 01245 452833. Where appropriate we will make adjustments to the selection process, working arrangements and/or the working environment provided it is reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.

If you're not from the UK, you must be a resident in the UK and have lived here continuously for the last three years. You must also be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain. If you're from the UK you must have lived here continuously for the last three years. This doesn't apply to those serving abroad in the British Armed Forces.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion are central to the values of our organisation. At Kent Police we value and embrace the unique experiences, identities and abilities that each of us bring to our roles. We strive to empower everyone to bring their authentic self openly and safely to work. Through the dedicated commitment of our support networks, DE&I team and wider HR departments, we are on a journey to embed our DE&I commitments, ensuring Kent Police is an employer of choice; where everyone feels included. Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer.

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