Police Sergeant in Tilbury

Location: Port of Tilbury, Port of Tilbury London Police, Leslie Ford House

Hours: 40 per week

Compensation: £53,568 - £56,208 per year; salary in line with national Police pay scales, negotiable dependent on service and experience + Pension Scheme

Forth Ports is one of the UK's largest and most dynamic port operator groups, delivering innovative port-related services. We are committed to sustainability and driving the expansion of the UK's renewable energy sector, particularly offshore wind.

About The Role

Are you a substantive or qualified Police Sergeant seeking a new professional challenge? The Port of Tilbury London Police invites applications from motivated, experienced Sergeants to join our specialist policing service at London’s major port. Applicants must be substantive in the rank of Sergeant or have successfully achieved the NPPF Step 2 Sergeant’s examination within the past five years, supported by a level 3 management qualification and relevant operational experience. This role involves policing a complex and dynamic environment where no two days are the same. You will work within a specialist port policing context, responding to a wide range of incidents and adapting to the challenges of a critical national infrastructure site. We deliver a high-quality, bespoke policing service to the Port, its tenants, and its customers. As a Police Sergeant, you will be part of the supervisory team with line management and professional development responsibility for a team of constables. You will work closely with the Police Inspector and Chief of Police to support strategic objectives and ensure effective operational delivery across the Port.

The Port of Tilbury handles approximately 16 million tonnes of cargo annually, with an estimated value of £8.7 billion. The port estate spans more than 1,000 acres and supports a diverse range of cargo operations, facilitated by short-sea and deep-sea vessels. Port Police officers respond to a broad spectrum of incidents, including crime investigations and medical emergencies. All officers are trained to advanced medical responder standard. The Port operates a community policing model engaging with tenants, businesses, and port staff to promote a safe and well-managed environment. Successful candidates will need to be physically fit, pass a medical, and undergo a vetting process required for police officers. A full UK driving licence is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a team upholding values and ethical standards; act with professionalism in accordance with the law, public interest, and professional policing practice to protect the public by preventing and detecting crime.
• Coordinate policing responses and investigations; allocate resources, direct activities, manage risks, and review progress to deliver effective responses and public safety.
• Supervise handling of information, intelligence and evidence; ensure record keeping aligns with legislation, policies and guidance to enable effective law enforcement and criminal justice proceedings.
• Build engagement with communities, partners and stakeholders; deliver approaches to prevent and address vulnerability and crime in line with the force's plan.
• Identify and implement opportunities for change and innovation to drive continuous improvement in policing; apply critical thinking to solve problems in line with evidence-based practice.
• Lead, motivate, develop, and engage a team; support professional development through regular reviews; set goals and provide constructive feedback; support career planning and high performance.
• Foster an inclusive workplace culture; model fairness, respect, integrity and accountability; use reflection and feedback to develop leadership skills.
• Monitor pressures on team members; support wellbeing to ensure an effective policing response.
• Provide specialist advice to deliver responses within policy and legislation and achieve the best outcomes.
• Support allocation of resources to enable effective service delivery and efficient use of budgets.
• Manage performance; assess capabilities and development needs; devise development plans to promote high performance and progression.
• Assist with ISPS Code implementation by supporting the Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) as a Deputy PFSO.

What We’re Looking For

We seek a substantive or qualified Police Sergeant with proven operational and supervisory experience, capable of leading within a specialist port policing environment. You will demonstrate Level 2 leadership aligned to the Competency and Values Framework, with experience in developing others, managing performance and fostering an inclusive team culture. The role requires sound operational judgment and the ability to manage resources, risk and performance in a fast-paced setting, working with senior leaders and partners to deliver a high-quality, bespoke policing service for public safety, security and confidence at a critical national infrastructure site.

Qualifications & Skills

• Level 3 management qualification (or equivalent) and completion of mandatory assessments.
• Proven leadership and teamworking skills; ability to motivate and manage performance.
• Strong communication skills; adapt style to different audiences.
• Good planning, organisational and time-management skills; effective prioritisation.
• Sound problem-solving and decision-making; assess risk and make evidence-based judgments.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues, partners and local communities; understand vulnerability and local safety issues.
• High emotional intelligence; manage conflict and exercise discretion.
• Ability to interpret and apply policy, guidance and legislation; identify opportunities for improvement.
• Competent IT skills with operational systems and databases.
• Trained and competent in personal safety tactics and use of approved equipment and restraints.
• Full right to work in the UK; Full UK driving licence.

What Forth Ports Can Offer You

• A competitive salary
• 34 days of annual leave including bank holidays
• Defined contribution pension scheme with up to 16.5% joint contribution plus life assurance at 4x salary
• Health promotion and wellbeing initiatives
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) with 24/7 confidential support
• On-site Occupational Health Team with access to counselling, physiotherapy and flu jabs
• Annual Christmas gift for employees
• GymFlex health club memberships with partner facilities
• Cycle to Work scheme
• On-site free parking
• Family-friendly policies, including enhanced maternity cover
• Employee discount platform for UK-wide benefits

We value diversity and inclusivity and are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and will consider all applications without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.

How To Apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter when applying via the Apply Now link.

About The Company

Over 50 years, we have grown into important assets supporting growth for the UK and local economies. Our ports continually develop services and opportunities, driven by our people’s expertise, loyalty and flexibility.