Women in UK policing still face significant underrepresentation. This is particularly true in the leadership ranks. For example, women comprise 35% of Constables and perform better on average than their male peers in promotion exams. But that drops to under 30% for Sergeants.
I’ve previously provided an in-depth series of blogs on the challenges and barriers facing women officers in promotion (along with the enablers). But there are also solutions to achieving success, involving some smart work focusing on the right things…
The BEST Free Police Promotion Support
The lack of structured pre- and post-promotion support in UK policing hinders career progression. Women face additional hurdles in a sometimes toxic culture, and with such issues as working patterns, expectations and even imposter syndrome. I’ve seen official promotion guidance from the centre baffling most cops with its academic and abstract language.
I began Rank Success 10 years ago in a complete vacuum of support for officers. While I notice some local force support has improved a little since, it remains a postcode lottery and is generally still uninspiring, limited or regurgitative.
Rank Success exists to level the playing field when it comes to police promotion support, ensuring great operational leaders can become great candidates for promotion opportunities too. Not just explaining the frameworks, but also clarifying the role aspired to, giving examples of good promotion evidence, and sharing life-long leadership lessons that can be learned intuitively. Raising awareness and building confidence ahead of a promotion board is the simple goal. That’s why it’s the go-to option for aspiring female leaders who discover these bespoke resources on offer.
For a start, there’s loads of COMPLETELY FREE content to choose from, especially for aspiring officers wishing to try something out, rather than ‘winging it’ or relying on conflicting advice from colleagues. Videos, blogs on policing issues and leadership, digital guides, and even podcast interview chats with inspiring police leaders and female role models are just some of the accessible, no-strings, no log in options. Rachel and Paula share how these resources helped their CPD…
“Hi Steve, I just wanted to say a massive thank you for the content you publish on Rank Success. I’ve relentlessly listened to your podcasts & blogs in preparation for the Sergeants Boards. I’m pleased to say I found out this week I have passed first time. I don’t believe I would have been so prepared without it. You highlight so much “food for thought”. The fact you provide so much for free is astonishing & proves you truly care about helping others. I will of course pass on your details & have recommended you to colleagues.” – Rachel
“Hi Steve, Just a quick email to say I passed my inspector process. I placed well which I am so happy about! I listened to your podcasts every day on my long journey to & from work & I found them really informative. I really enjoyed the recent interview with Chief Constable Jo Shiner where she simply explained the objectives of her force using the rule of threes. I also enjoyed your book review on ‘why should anyone be led by you’. I think I probably listened to this episode 5 times… (it) helped me with my response to the ‘We are emotionally aware’ question. I also used your inspectors toolkit which helped me put the strategic perspective into my responses. I was struggling to see the bigger picture before I completed your online masterclass. I appreciate what you do to help promotion candidates. It really does help focus the mind. Thanks again.” – Paula
I’m always grateful for the unsolicited kind feedback I receive from individuals, who are unlocking and realising their leadership potential from the resources I publish. It really is food for my soul and why I’m committed to continue putting out such content, above and beyond my rank-specific structured toolkits for those bound by impending deadlines…
“I just wanted to take the time to message you & say thank you! You won’t have a clue who I am, but I’ve shared my car journeys, time whilst cleaning & walking with you over the last few months! As part of my preparation for my Chief Inspector boards, I subscribed to your podcasts. They’ve been invaluable in broadening my knowledge & supporting my prep for the board & I passed first time! I recommend you to colleagues & will continue my subscription as it’s really valuable in keeping up to date & (maybe) in preparation for my next promotion!” – Olivia
Proof of the Pudding…
Cops deal in evidence. I pride myself on the extensive feedback I receive from successful cops. It’s proof of the pudding of meaningful, sustained promotion support; landing as it does via sincere texts, unsolicited emails and phone messages from newly promoted officers who are kind enough to share their great news and allow me to share their experiences on my website.
I notice too from these stories and my coaching interactions with officers that the hurdles women must overcome often differ from that of their male colleagues. That’s why my premium digital toolkits provide accessible, affordable, structured support for those on tight deadlines or who simply want the quickest way to success. This content offers convenience whilst supporting effective preparation, around the job, shifts and your other life commitments, as Olivia indicates above.
Whatever your budget, there’s something to suit you if you want to go beyond the free stuff. From my £4.99 a month podcast subscription to a few £hundred for my complete toolkits. There’s really no need to spend £1000s (as some officers do), especially given the current pressures on police pay.
Wider feedback alludes to the different selection processes candidates face, insights as to how individuals approach career progression and development opportunities, as well as the sheer joy and happiness experienced on discovering their efforts paid off.
What follows are more pieces of feedback from female leaders smashing the barriers to win through in promotion successes. I also share my thoughts and insights on their experiences, along with links to further reading/content, so you can follow in their footsteps should you wish…
Danielle: “Hi Steve. Thank you for your help and work. I used your toolkits for my Inspector board. Passed it first time round, three days before giving birth! Thanks.”
Insight: This is exactly what I envisioned when starting Rank Success. Designing bespoke content for busy cops who simply want to make the best use of available time they have. Downloadable toolkits support effective preparation and as in Danielle’s case, help smash the board before far more important life priorities!
Naz: “Steve just to let you know I have been successful in my recent board. I am over the moon. The presentation I received from you around leadership was excellent. Leadership was a subject very much featured in my board. I will definitely be recommending your Masterclass to anyone serious about passing the board. Thank you again, very much appreciated.”
Insight: Leadership is a vast topic, but promotion is about leading people, performance and change. Many candidates are ill equipped to talk meaningfully about leadership, especially in context of themselves as a leader. That’s a critically important aspect in effective preparation. Clearly Naz found value in covering this. As it turned out, the panel on her promotion board also focused on it!
Neata: “Steve, I bought your mega bundle & found out last Monday I’d passed the Inspectors process. 41 successful candidates out of 215! Your inputs are so helpful in getting your mindset ready for the process. I found all your material invaluable, from your podcasts to your blogs & your promotion masterclass video was just what I needed to get my interview structure spot on. Thank you!”
Insight: As one of numerous successful candidates I’ve never met or spoken to until receiving this feedback, Neata faced significant competition to prevail in her force selection process. Competition is an aspect often overlooked by many candidates. Aiming high is a mindset I encourage; Neata nailed that bit! While it’s always a pleasure to support people one-to-one and cover any bespoke gaps that need closing, I like how my resources pave the way for those determined individuals who just want to get on with it.
Lucy: “Hi Steve, I bought your Inspector Masterclass bundle to help me with the recent Inspector selection process. I just wanted to say it really helped me move my thinking and evidence up a notch from the last time I tried. Money well spent. Thank you so much for putting it all together and all the free blogs/videos too. I’m so happy to say I was successful! Kind Regards.”
Insight: Lots of Sergeants aiming at Inspector rank are unsuccessful on first and subsequent attempts. Those with growth mindsets like Lucy, learn from this and try again; differently! Key to this is promotion panels for Inspector rank expect to see and hear evidence of more strategic thinking, awareness and consideration. A digital toolkit helped in moving the dial on this for Lucy, another successful customer I’ve never had the privilege of meeting, but to whom I am immensely grateful for sharing her approach.
Hope: “Hello Steve, I just wanted to pop an email to you to say thank you… I passed my Inspector exam, I started to read your blogs and I downloaded your free material, which was invaluable helping make sense of the CVF. I then purchased your digital toolkit. I went on to pass my Inspectors board and was told I did extremely well.
In my feedback I was encouraged to consider to go for Chief Inspectors, my imposter syndrome kicked in and I doubted I was good enough as DI let alone above. This year Chief Inspector boards were announced and I was approached by SLT to apply.
I hadn’t had any acting, so wasn’t sure how it would go, I got the digital toolkits up and prepped. I listened to your podcasts every day on my journey to and from work, popping to the shops or any opportunity. The way you simplify things and hearing your interviews has really helped me focus. I even re listened to your interview with Lee Freeman on the way to my board yesterday. I have been told today I passed! Only 3 passed from 31, so thank you sincerely, I wouldn’t have been able to do this without your podcasts, blogs, digital toolkits and YouTube videos! I’ve encouraged lots over the last few years to visit your page. Take care.”
Insight: As Hope alludes to, if you want to do extremely well, my Inspector/Chief Inspector toolkit is a resource that supports effective preparation for both ranks. A ‘two for one’ deal if you like. Inspecting ranks are essentially the same (albeit a few differences in role expectations). These middle manager posts often come with significant competition. Being one of only 3 successes from 31 applicants reflects the value of the toolkit to support your thinking and approach, well ahead of a selection process.
Ash: “Morning Steve, News at last…. 400 successful applicants through to assessment centre stage for 70 Sergeant vacancies and I was successful! I’m delighted & relieved! Duty tonight, so I can’t celebrate, but bubbles shall be opened at the weekend! Thank you so much for the online [Sergeant] material & I really enjoyed the masterclass. They helped me to focus & to think more ‘blue sky’. Thanks so much for what you offer! I really feel police forces should provide some support to those aspiring for promotion, but at least there are options out there like Rank Success! Compared to last year, I was a more rounded & well-read candidate. Kind Regards.”
Insight: Ash also faced a huge competitive element in this, her second attempt at career progression. Her decision to invest in her CPD helped convert her leadership aspirations into substantive promotion success whilst securing the associated £15,000 pay rise. That’s some return on investment.
Debbie: “Steve, I had a good day & I got the job. I used a lot of your toolkit content & material in my Inspector board including risk management, people’s responses to change, thinking priorities, my approach to DEI & thoughts around the Casey review, VAWG & Angiolini enquiry. My feedback included… I was natural and the real me, I suppose that’s a tick for emotional intelligence but really it’s because I had a bank of ideas/structures/acronyms in my back pocket I could use as required. Process was a presentation & CVF questions (45 mins allowed to prepare for it all). Anyway, thank you for your help, I shall continue to refer colleagues in your direction emphasising there is no short cut, you have to put the time in to prepare. I certainly did that. All the best.”
Insight: This good day for Debbie was underpinned by working through aspects of the Inspector toolkit. In essence, putting in the time to preparing smart and on the right things. Taking time to reflect lets ‘stuff’ sink in and supports ideas, thinking and confidence in approach. In Debbie’s case, confidence gained was particularly helpful for the additional requirement to deliver a presentation before the panel interview.
Kerry: “Hi Steve, I just wanted to say thank you, I bought your Inspector toolkit & found out today I smashed my board & have been promoted. I’ll definitely be recommending your guides to my peers & colleagues, they were a great help. Kind regards.”
Insight: ‘Bought the toolkit. Smashed the board’. I like Kerry’s style and succinct message. Another customer I’ve never met, but she clearly understands the value of feedback.
Sarah: “Hi Steve, just a note to thank you for your help – found out I passed my Inspector process & couldn’t have done it without you. The emotionally aware competency in particular that I was struggling with before I spoke to you, ended up being my best answer! Really appreciate everything.”
Insight: Sarah highlights the impact a short supportive conversation can have. It’s why I offer a free consultation to help where individuals may be struggling or ‘stuck’. It can unlock your best responses and help maximise your potential, when it matters. And I really do enjoy translating abstract-sounding language of the assessment criteria into plain-English, intuitive leadership skills relevant to the rank, such as with the CVF ‘We Are Emotionally Aware’ competency referred to here.
Jo: “I am over the moon to have passed my Chief Inspector board having used the digital toolkit, masterclass video and free guides. This was my second attempt at this rank, the first time feedback was, my nerves affected my performance. This year I took a different approach, I felt much more prepared, confident and my nerves weren’t as apparent throughout the elements of the process. I know this is in part due to the confidence I gained by using a tried and tested approach as outlined by Steve. I’ve yet to receive any formal feedback, but the ACC on my board called to say I’d smashed it and did really well. I want to thank Steve for not only the resources that are available, but also the last minute pep talk when just before the board I felt I wasn’t ready. I absolutely was, and Steve’s reassurance helped me see this and focused my mind on the day. It’s an amazing feeling to get that call, and I would not hesitate to recommend and signpost colleagues to Rank Success. Thank you.”
Insight: Second attempt, different approach and smashed it! Jo alludes to the enhanced confidence that comes from a structured approach. Last minute pep talks are par for the course in supporting promotion candidates serving to reassure, refine and aid final adjustments in confidence. I’m always just a phone call away.
Get the idea? It is amazing when you get ‘the call’ notifying you of your promotion success. It’s also personally uplifting for me to receive customer feedback from so many newly promoted female leaders, describing how Rank Success resources supported their approach.
You can see more feedback, comments and newly promoted officer’s recommendations here.
Want to Talk?
In this age of advancing technology, human interaction is regressing. It’s become the norm for companies to avoid simply talking to you. They waste your time, making you contend with frustrating AI Chatbots (bypass tip: “Human please!”), logins and passwords, or forcing detailed contact forms and surveys before any meaningful conversation. It’s so impersonal and superficial.
Call me a traditionalist, but I believe the personal touch is important, since everyone’s needs are different. So just pick up the phone for a free, no-pressure consultation. It’s just me, there’s no triaging, and I’m normally around to answer or will call you back.
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 and CVF explainers. 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.