Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has opened the recruitment process to find the next Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police.

The salary is advertised as "£151,815 per annum. PCC discretion + 10% (£166,996) considered for the right candidate, plus other benefits, five-year fixed term contract". 

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is entitled to an annual salary of £164,080, according to reports.

Yesterday Chief Constable Kier Pritchard announced he would be retiring after 30 years in policing and will be leaving the force next year.

PCC Philip Wilkinson thanked Mr Pritchard for his public service to Wiltshire Police.

“It has been an enjoyable time working closely with Kier,” Mr Wilkinson said. “We will continue to work closely together on our shared goal of making Wiltshire safer until next year.

“Now my role as PCC is to find the next Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police and this early notification allows us to deliver a well-planned recruitment process, and transition, so we can find the right person to lead the force into the future.”

Applications are being invited from eligible candidates, from Assistant Chief Constables to Chief Constables and equivalent ranks.

Successful applicants will be shortlisted and interviews will be held by an independent panel, chaired by Mr Wilkinson.

“My mission since I took office has been to work in partnership with Wiltshire Police to make our county a safer place to live, work and visit,” he said.

“To achieve this, we need a quality policing service which meets the needs of our communities, is trusted by our residents and I am looking for a new Chief Constable who will drive this ambition forward.”

Mr Wilkinson added the next Chief would need to be a dedicated, ethical, operationally-experienced and focused leader who can quickly earn the confidence and respect of all of officers and staff - from the executive level to the frontline.

“I am looking for an inspirational leader to lead Wiltshire Police into the future,” he continued.

“They will place great emphasis on getting the basics right: ensuring our force delivers quality police investigations, improves outcomes and justice for victims, as well as tackling those crimes that matter the most to our communities.

“The right candidate will have a proven track record of delivering high-performing services, of leading organisation change and fighting crime, but also of working in close collaboration with local authorities and partner agencies to deliver effective community safety partnerships and delivering a policing service that our residents want - and deserve.”   

For more information about the vacancy, click here.