Introduction from Chief Executive

Dear Applicant

SAFE, RESILIENT AND CONNECTED COMMUNITIES

Thank you for your interest in joining our team as Director of Operations. We are a small team covering the largest geographical police force area in the country in supporting the Police and Crime Commissioner to deliver a wide range of statutory duties, including the Police and Crime Plan. As a team we have a large, ambitious programme of work to ensure that the public get the best service they can from policing in our area. In fact, during 2020 Devon and Cornwall became the area in the country with the lowest crime rate and therefore the safest area for our communities.

We work at a variety of different levels, from instigating very localised interventions with communities; commissioning services for victims of crime; through to undertaking scrutiny of the police and influencing national policy. We are a very busy team and pride ourselves of being innovative, creative and solution focused. Most recently we have supported the Police and Crime Commissioner, in partnership with the Chief Constable to develop a serious violence prevention approach, funded by local taxpayers.

As we are a peninsula and islands and the largest geographical police force area in England we have a unique set of challenges and our communities have to be more resilient. With over 700 miles of coastline you start to see the challenges of policing a rural, urban and coastal area with some very isolated communities.

The Director of Operations is a new role, which will not only provide leadership and line management to two of the OPCC Teams, but will also provide resilience and fulfil duties of deputy Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer when required. Specifically, the role will lead the Strategy, Policy and Performance Team (which includes the main scrutiny function) as well as the Business Support and Customer Services Team who provide a range of direct services to the public such as Independent Custody Visiting, Legally Qualified Chairs, Complaints Reviews and the wider administrative support to the whole team.

To be successful in this role you will need to have experience of working in an organisation with a strong focus on governance, policy development, innovation and scrutiny. Ideally you will have a legal or governance background and understand the implications of working in a political environment. A strong, professional, resilient leader with the ability to influence and negotiate across organisations is essential.

I am looking for someone that will work well within the current team but also bring a fresh approach. It’s a great role for someone who has an eye for detail but also the ability to see the bigger picture. If you’re great at networking, negotiating and care about improving the lives of others then this is the job for you.

The OPCC is based within Devon and Cornwall’s Police Headquarters in Exeter, but we are flexible about where you work and some home working is an option.

If you want to find out more about our work, then please visit our website www.devonandcornwall-pcc.gov.uk

So, if you have a genuine interest in making a difference across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and are willing to rise to the challenge then I really want to hear from you. For an informal conversation about the role then please contact Mark at HAYS Executive in the first instance, on 07872 672290 or by email mark.bearn@hays.com

Kind regards

Fran Hughes
Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer