Service Police Complaints Commissioner (SPCC)
- Body
- Service Police Complaints Commission
- Appointing Department
- Ministry of Defence
- Sectors
- Defence, Judicial, Prison & Policing
- Location
- Any region
- Skills required
- Legal / Judicial, Regulation
- Number of Vacancies
- 1
- Remuneration
- £120,000 pro rota
- Time Requirements
- 2.5 days per week
Campaign Timeline
-
Competition Launched
28/04/2022
-
Closed for Applications
25/05/2022
-
Panel Sift
14/06/2022
-
Final Interview Date
09/08/2022
-
Announcement
28/02/2023
This is not a ministerial appointment.
Announcement
An announcement has been made on the outcome of this appointment.
Margaret Obi has been appointed as the first Service Police Complaints Commissioner who will oversee the new Service Police complaints process which is expected to come into force in the second quarter of 2023.
Date: 28/02/2023
Assessment Panel
- Panel Member
- Lieutenant General James Swift
- Panel Role
- Panel Chair
- Positions
- Chief of Defence People – MOD
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| Political Activity | None |
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| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Cindy Butts
- Positions
- Independent to MOD Independent Member
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| Political Activity | None |
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| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Sam des Forges
- Positions
- Director of Diversity and Inclusion – MOD Representative of Organisation
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| Political Activity | None |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
Vacancy Description
The Service Police Complaints Commissioner (SPCC) will provide independent oversight of the Service police, as the head of a new complaints regime that is to be established to review and investigate the most serious allegations made against members of the Service police. The new complaints regime will be modelled on the regime for the civilian police in England and Wales and, as such, the Commissioner will have functions similar to those conferred on the Director General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
The SPCC is a statutory Crown appointment made on the recommendation of the Secretary of State for Defence.
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, conduct, and 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 investigate the most serious and sensitive cases;
- 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, and the Royal Air Force Police are each headed by a Provost Marshal), senior MOD officials and Ministers;
- act as the review body for certain cases (to be specified in regulations); and
- report annually to Parliament via the Secretary of State for Defence on the delivery of the Commissioner’s functions.
Person Specification
Candidates must demonstrate that they meet the following essential criteria:
Essential criteria:
- Significant senior leadership and management experience, with a track record of success within a complex and sensitive environment.
- High level of political awareness and sophisticated relationship management skills proven with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Excellent oral 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 in complex and technical matters.
- Excellent written communication skills with ability to produce reports which include evidence-based recommendations.
Desirable criteria:
- Experience in a regulatory, complaints adjudication or similar environment.
- An understanding of either service law and the service justice system, or criminal law and the criminal justice system.
- 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.
Additional Information
The Armed Forces Act 2021 (which amends the Armed Forces Act 2006) states that a person is disqualified from being the Commissioner if any of the following applies—
- the person is a member of the regular or reserve forces (whether or not as a member of a Service Police force);
- the person is a former member of a Service Police force;
- the person is currently employed as a Civil Servant.
Due to the nature of the post (which is independent of the Ministry of Defence), it is not appropriate for the SPCC to occupy paid party-political posts or hold sensitive, senior, or prominent positions in any political organisation.
How to Apply
Candidates should provide a CV (maximum two sides A4, minimum font 12) setting out your career history and including details of any professional qualifications. Candidates should also complete the Diversity Monitoring Form and the Expression of Interest formincluding a supporting statement; contact details for two referees and any conflict of interest.
Completed applications should be emailed to the below address quoting reference 49869_SPCC
DBSCivPers-ResPublicAppts@mod.gov.uk
Please note: Defence Business Services is currently operating with minimal staff in their offices, if you unable to apply online please contact Defence Business Services (DBSCivPers-ResPublicAppts@mod.gov.uk or telephone 0300 1566377)