Promotion procedures - specifically for the role of Chief Superintendents

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.034638

I note you seek access to the following information:

I am writing to request detailed information about the promotion procedures within the London Metropolitan Police, specifically concerning the role of Chief Superintendents.

- What are the primary criteria used to determine eligibility and suitability for promotion within the Metropolitan Police, particularly for the role of Chief Superintendent? Are these promotions based on tenure (number of years of experience), performance evaluations, examination results, or a combination of these factors? List all the criteria that apply.

- Promotional Examinations: If examinations are part of the promotional process, could you please provide details on the nature of these examinations? This includes the topics covered, the format of the exams, and how these exams influence the overall promotion decision.

- Decision-Making Authority: Who is responsible for making promotion decisions within the London Metropolitan Police, especially for the rank of Chief Superintendent? How is the decision-making process structured, and what levels of review or oversight are involved?

- Application for Promotion: Is there a requirement for eligible candidates to actively apply for the role of Chief Superintendent, or are candidates automatically considered for promotion based on their qualifications and performance? If there is an application process, could you please detail how vacancies are announced and the application procedure?

- Promotion Policy Documentation: If available, I would also like to request any official documentation or policy guidelines that describe the promotion process within the Metropolitan Police, with a particular focus on the role of Chief Superintendent.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

- What are the primary criteria used to determine eligibility and suitability for promotion within the Metropolitan Police, particularly for the role of Chief Superintendent? Are these promotions based on tenure (number of years of experience), performance evaluations, examination results, or a combination of these factors? List all the criteria that apply.

The eligibility criteria for Superintendent to Chief Superintendent at the MPS are;

• Be a current substantive Superintendent or Detective Superintendent at the point of the process launching (on Monday 13 November 2023)
• Internal candidates - In order to meet the PDR eligibility requirement, you must have an approved Career Development Plan and work objectives uploaded in the LMS. Your plan should include a clear aspiration for Promotion in the next 1 to 3 years. External candidates - Have an overall competent or exceptional PDR rating for the last performance year;
• Be free of any bar to promotion as a result of disciplinary findings
• Meet the MPS attendance management criteria
• Have completed a Professional Standards declaration.

In addition to the eligibility criteria, candidate suitability for promotions is considered against level 3 of the MPS CVF and against MPS principles and values.

- Promotional Examinations: If examinations are part of the promotional process, could you please provide details on the nature of these examinations? This includes the topics covered, the format of the exams, and how these exams influence the overall promotion decision.

Candidates who pass the application sift are invited to attend an assessment centre, where they complete two exercises; a structured interview, and a chief officer briefing exercise.

- Decision-Making Authority: Who is responsible for making promotion decisions within the London Metropolitan Police, especially for the rank of Chief Superintendent? How is the decision-making process structured, and what levels of review or oversight are involved?

The Assessment Director for the process (Assistant Commissioner, or above) decides the pass mark for the assessment process, in consultation with the Deputy Commissioner and/or Commissioner.

- Application for Promotion: Is there a requirement for eligible candidates to actively apply for the role of Chief Superintendent, or are candidates automatically considered for promotion based on their qualifications and performance? If there is an application process, could you please detail how vacancies are announced and the application procedure?

Candidates interested in applying for the Chief Superintendent process, are required to submit an application within the application window.
The process is advertised on the Met Careers site, and in Police Oracle and Police Professional. Internally the process launch is advertised on the intranet and an email sent to all substantive Superintendents to inform them of the dates of the forthcoming promotion process.

- Promotion Policy Documentation: If available, I would also like to request any official documentation or policy guidelines that describe the promotion process within the Metropolitan Police, with a particular focus on the role of Chief Superintendent.

The promotions SOP is published on the MPS website. REDACTED – INTERNAL LINK