Future Supers: a chance to develop your career

28 June 2022

Nicky Ryan is encouraging inspectors and chief inspectors from under-represented groups in the four Welsh forces to get involved in this year’s Future Supers’ scheme.

The scheme, developed by the Police Superintendents’ Association (PSA), supports officers and staff from ethnic minority backgrounds and other under-represented groups to move into senior ranks.

Nicky, Welsh lead for the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), said: “We know that there’s a lack of representation in senior ranks within our police forces in Wales but the Future Supers’ scheme aims to change that.

“I’d encourage anyone thinking about taking part in the programme to get involved. It could make a difference to your career and to the careers of your colleagues.

“It’s being supported by the four Welsh chief officer teams and anyone interested in taking part should approach their learning and development department or their Superintendents’ Association branch in the first instance.”

The programme offers a mix of input based on lived experience and on core career development skills. Candidates will be paired with a coach from the PSA to mentor them and help them develop through the course.

Areas covered include the role of the superintendent, building personal brand and imposter syndrome, and presenting skills and interview techniques. The programme also covers unconscious bias and the impact on teams, building personal resilience, and building police legitimacy in the community.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hobrough, of Gwent Police, was a mentor on last year’s scheme after responding to a PSA email.

He said: “I thought it sounded an interesting opportunity to listen to what people felt were blockers and barriers to such promotion.

“I felt I would like to add value to people aspiring to the rank from under-represented groups, to share my own experiences, and give an insight to the role itself.

“Over 10 to 12 sessions I was able to provide a senior leadership perspective on current policing priorities, share senior management role experience and give advice on preparation for promotion applications and boards.

“I thought it would be insightful but I wasn’t expecting to gain as much from it as I did. I was allocated two officers to coach who were from different backgrounds and large strategic forces in England.”

He added: “I feel inspired that one of the officers I coached was recently promoted and the other got a specialist post they applied for and is currently shortlisted for promotion.

“If I played even the tiniest part in that happening then I’m proud of that because they’re both great people who will be great leaders in the greatest of jobs.”

Harvi Khatkar, PSA vice-president.

Harvi Khatkar, PSA vice-president, said: “Future Supers was conceived as our association’s response to the severe lack of representation seen within our rank.

“Our members are the most senior operational leaders in policing and, with only 5.1 per cent of our members from black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds, we’re clearly lacking the difference we need within these influential roles.

“The impact of this should not be underestimated. Not only are we lacking the difference in experience and insight that we need among our leaders, we’re also failing to provide those inside and outside of policing with the role models they need to give them the encouragement and confidence to pursue promotion to these roles themselves.”

The course is open to inspector and chief inspector level police officers from all under-represented groups. The cost per candidate is £99.

Police staff will be able to apply to be an associate participant with full access to online content for a reduced fee of £49. They will not have access to a PSA mentor.

To nominate a candidate, please send name, rank, role and email address to futuresupers@policesupers.com.