Strategic command course (SCC)

Applications

The application window for the SCC in 2022 is now closed.

Find out more about applying for the SCC.

Eligibility

The course is open to police officers at superintendent and chief superintendent ranks, and staff at equivalent grades, from all UK forces who have shown the potential to progress further in their careers. It is a statutory requirement for officers seeking promotion to assistant chief constable and above in UK forces.

International police and those from other law enforcement agencies aspiring to the most senior positions in their home countries are welcome to apply. The SCC is also open to those across the public sector who are working at the executive level.

Strategic command course outline

The course will run from 12 September 2022 until 8 December 2022, with graduation on 9 December 2022.

Module 1 organisational leadership

Aims to develop accountable public sector leaders and equip them with the business skills required to lead and transform high-profile multi-million pound public sector organisations with integrity while safeguarding the public.

Module 2 operational leadership

Focuses on the high-risk areas of operational policing – aims to develop qualified operational police commanders ready now to be appointed to chief officer roles across the UK.

​Personal leadership

Aims to develop resilient, confident, emotionally intelligent, ethical, politically astute leaders with clear values, integrity and the ability to create and communicate organisational and personal vision.

Strategic partnerships

Aims to develop senior leaders to identify and maximise the opportunities and benefits of working in public and private sector partnerships and collaborations.

Aims

To develop senior leaders in law enforcement to lead policing operations and organisations locally, regionally and nationally.

You will have a unique opportunity to engage in a challenging leadership development programme, benefitting from the broad range of experience and perspectives shared by others within policing and partner organisations, nationally and internationally.

Delivery

The course is delivered through a combination of highly demanding strategic exercises.

Sessions are led by inspirational speakers from within and outside policing who bring valuable personal experiences of leadership at a strategic level. They also bring academic expertise, supported by shared learning across the cohort.

Elements of the course are assessed and you will complete a range of assignments and tasks designed to expand your thinking and support the translation of learning back to the workplace.

The SCC is one part of the overall leadership development of chief officers. All graduates of the course leave with a personal development plan to support their continuing professional development (CPD).

We will add an overview for the 2022 course soon.

Preparation

• You will be allocated to an executive coach who will work with you.
• You will be required to complete self-study in preparation for the programme.
• Senior police national assessment centre (PNAC) officer candidates who have not already attended the gold public order commanders course, strategic firearms command course, or multi-agency gold incident command, are strongly encouraged to attend one of these courses prior to the start of the SCC.