Superintendent / Detective Superintendent
Salary: £87,123 - £102,480
South Yorkshire Police
South Yorkshire Police – Superintendent / Detective Superintendent – September 2026
If you have the drive, vision, and qualities to become a Superintendent in a busy full-spectrum force which balances urban and rural priorities, SYP want to hear from you. The force is seeking applications from substantive Chief Inspectors/Detective Chief Inspectors who are looking for promotion either from within force or to join SYP.
Successful post holders will be instrumental in delivering the best service ensuring the force continues to improve and delivers against the forces’ plan on a page priorities:
- Preventing crime and disorder
- Responding to the needs of victims and communities
- Focussing on those who cause the most harm
In order to meet our ongoing operational commitments, as a force we are keen to hear from officers with both an operational and detective background.
Substantive Superintendents/Detective Superintendent who wish to consider a transfer to South Yorkshire Police should email Promotions@southyorks.pnn.police.uk in the first instance expressing their interest.
About the role:
Our Superintendents play a critical lead role in operational policing and are responsible for large and / or complex areas of command and across strategic alliances and partnerships. To succeed in this role, you will need to demonstrate effective and impactful leadership qualities, strong performance management and enable a culture of creativity and innovation.
Our ideal candidate(s) will be able to demonstrate operational competence and credibility, have a proven track record of performance delivery and active participation or accreditation in public order, firearms, crime or other specialisms.
You will play an intrinsic part in ensuring the public receives the very best service from us and building trust and confidence by working proactively and collaboratively with colleagues. The key aims and values of South Yorkshire Police should always be at the forefront of everything you do.
We are looking for leaders who will:
- Motivate and inspire staff, engaging with them and implementing change effectively
- Act as role models by maintaining highest professional standards
- Be able to drive, improve and deliver performance outcomes
- Have operational credibility
- Be truly committed and passionate about the service provided to the public of South Yorkshire.
The link below will take you to the College of Policing, Superintendent core role profile which outlines the general requirements of the role.
Policing professional profiles / College of Policing
Eligibility:
- There is an expectation that applicants will hold operational accreditations, such as POPS Bronze/Silver, TFC, PIP2/SIO, and have command experience or contributed to Force CADREs, unless there are individual exceptional circumstances.
- Must have 18 months of substantive service – periods of continuous temporary service will be counted.
- Must meet the Force Attendance Criteria and Code of Conduct Criteria
- Must have an up to date signed off Performance Review with a minimum ‘meets expectations’ rating or equivalent Performance Reviews for external candidates*
- Those subject to UPP or have a live performance improvement plan will not be eligible
- Those with a live misconduct sanction will not be eligible
- Will require written comments by line managers and second line manager
* For internal candidates please see attachedguidance notes on how to download your PR.
Before progressing with your application, you should arrange to meet with your line manager to hold a professional discussion about your intention to apply and your readiness for promotion, the outcome of which is noted on your application.
Application:
Step 1: CVF Document and Sign Off
Applicants are required to download the CVF Application Questions (link below) and provide responses to the five CVF based questions. Answers provided should include examples at the substantive rank of Chief Inspector, and which can be evidenced within a maximum 4 year period. If you are unable provide examples within this time frame (e.g. due to maternity leave), please email promotions@southyorks.pnn.police.uk to agree an appropriate timeframe for your examples.
Candidates will also need to have written Line Manager comments and sign off your second line manager. Line manager comments; must include whether the line manager believes the candidate is ready for promotion, they will recommend the individual for this process or not, including rationale for either. If a line manager does not recommend a candidate they must state why, the candidate can choose to continue with their application and may still be shortlisted if they have additional evidence (such as PRs, second line manager sign off and within the answers to the CVF based application questions) which supports their readiness for promotion.
Second line managers are required to sign off all candidate applications as validation of its true and accurate content.
Line managers and second line managers are not required to ‘support’ applications but are required to provide comment and validation of the individuals application.
Responses to the five questions will be assessed against the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) and scored one to five. Successful applications will need to meet the average of 15 across the 5 shortlisting questions. Candidates may only score one ‘2’ across the 5 questions and overall achieve the average of 15 to pass, a score of 1 in any question will result in the individual failing shortlisting.
Note: this form must be uploaded to your ORACLE application, alongside your PR/PDR for your application to be considered.
To access the CVF document, please click here
Step 2: Online Application via ORACLE
All candidates will be required to complete their application via ORACLE. You will complete the personal questions on ORACLE and must upload the CVF application questions and 2026 completed Performance Review document to your application.
Closing Date: 23:55 on the 11 September 2026
Presentation and Interview:
Interviews will commence 5 October 2026
Panels will be chaired by Chief Constable Poultney, Deputy Chief Constable Poolman and an external independent panel member.
Information Event:
We are running an information event on Thursday 3rd September 2026 at 16.00. To join the event please click on this linkat the start of the meeting.
External candidates only, please email: promotions@southyorks.pnn.police.uk by noon on the 1st September in order for us to send you the relevant link.
Further information:
The below link provides further information about working for South Yorkshire Police in the role of Superintendent (Recruitment Pack 2026).
SYP is running the 2026 Superintendent promotion process with deployment expected from December 2026 onwards.
These include detective and uniformed postings across South Yorkshire. If you are successful at interview, please expect to be posted in accordance with force demand. Consideration will be given to any restrictions on location of deployment where possible, however filling vacancies based on force demand is a priority.
After we have met the current force demand, we may utilise a select list to have a pool of candidates who meet the benchmark to be promoted to Superintendent rank and will be posted later.
South Yorkshire is a culturally diverse area and to ensure that our service is fully representative of the communities we serve we welcome applications from all under-represented groups and individuals wishing to work part time. If you would like any further information or support, please email positiveaction@southyorks.pnn.police.uk
Vehicle Sacrifice Scheme
South Yorkshire Police has recently introduced a vehicle sacrifice scheme. The scheme allows colleagues to lease an electric or hybrid cars from a specific provider, which offers most makes and models, both new and used. The cost of the lease will be paid monthly, directly from your salary. As the deduction is made before tax, national insurance and pension contributions are applied, therefore individuals can make a substantial saving.
Superintendent / Detective Superintendent employer: South Yorkshire Police
South Yorkshire Police is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to become a fully accredited detective through the Detective Constable Entry Programme. With a commitment to supporting vulnerable communities and a focus on employee development, the organisation fosters a collaborative work culture that values diversity and provides comprehensive training for career progression. Located in a vibrant region, employees benefit from a competitive starting salary and the chance to make a meaningful impact in their community.
