On my travels last week I stopped off at Sussex police headquarters for an exclusive interview with Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo Shiner. Jo kindly set aside some time to discuss policing issues, to answer a few questions and share some insights via the Rank Success Police Promotion and Leadership Podcast.
Listen below or via your chosen podcast player to hear what Jo has to say on a range of matters, from road safety to her 32-year policing career highlights and women in police leadership. As with all my podcast interviews, this is entirely free for everyone straight away. I hope you enjoy the episode and read on for some key highlights…
“Some of the highlights [from my career] are those moments where I’ve been able to help victims… you go home and know that you’ve made a difference.”
A Different World
Jo is the first female Chief Constable of Sussex Police. She cites how policing is a ‘very different world’ compared to the force-issued handbags and culottes from her early career, starting out in Norfolk Constabulary. I ask her about the support for women in policing, along with any challenges and barriers.
She alludes to things having got better for women aspiring to leadership positions in policing, barriers remain. There is some way to go in policing, including issues around supporting individuals who have potential to succeed but maybe don’t have the confidence or belief they can be authentic and successful by being themselves at work.
I ask the Chief Constable about her current role as the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) lead for Roads Policing. She explains why it was an easy choice for her to take on this portfolio. She aims to encourage and influence forces, partners, the public and society more generally in taking road safety seriously, while challenging the behaviours which bring death and misery to the roads.
An Array of Promotion Questions
In relation to police promotion, I also ask Jo about the Sergeant’s role, its importance and any advice she has for constables aspiring to this rank. She discusses a particular challenge PCs face when stepping up to the Sergeant rank.
Additionally I enquire about her views on investigation standards, a recurring theme for improvement in PEEL reports for many forces, including Sussex. Jo refers in her response to the capacity and capability within forces, dealing with increasing volume, giving a reality check of austerity’s impact and the pressures officers and police staff are under.
She alludes to “intrusive, objective, supportive” aspects of leadership as we discuss the background to Sussex priorities, police values and the Code of Ethics. She goes on to describe the Sussex delivery plan, simplifying priorities into memorable actions for all officers.
I also ask Jo what inspires her. Here’s part of her answer:
“Every morning at 6 o’clock when I read my email informing me what has happened in the force and I look at some of the bravery, courage and some of the humane and empathetic ways in which we have dealt with really challenging situations our communities have faced, that does inspire me because…”
Finally, I ask what career advice Jo would offer herself if she could travel back in time to joining as a young constable. Listen in to find out more! I once again extend my thanks to Jo for sparing the time and sharing her views on police promotion and leadership.
More Support for Sussex Officers and Beyond…
For more about Sussex Police, you may be interested in my previous Sussex focused content:
Whether you are interested in promotion and leadership insights, Sussex Police, or perhaps just more generally in policing issues, this interview with Chief Constable Shiner is another valuable addition to the fast-growing series of inspirational police leader interviews on this Rank Success podcast. Please consider subscribing to contribute to this work and bring you more free interviews with Chief Officers in the future. You’ll also get a ton of exclusive content in return.
Kind Regards, Steve
Seeking police promotion? Want a MASSIVE head start right now? Hit the ground running with your personal digital promotion toolkit, and/or my market-leading Police Promotion Masterclass. There’s nothing else like it to effectively prepare you for success in your leadership aspirations. You can also contact me to arrange more personal coaching support. Or try my podcast for your ongoing police leadership CPD covering a range of fascinating subjects.