Police inspector salary 2026/27
Inspector and chief inspector pay from 1 September 2026. These ranks have separate London scales and are not paid overtime.
Pay points
| Rank and point | Outside London | London | Take-home a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inspector, point 0 | £66,000 | £68,788 | £3,612 |
| Inspector, point 1 | £67,798 | £70,589 | £3,686 |
| Inspector, point 2 | £69,589 | £72,402 | £3,760 |
| Inspector, point 3 | £71,396 | £74,206 | £3,835 |
| Chief Inspector, point 1 | £72,806 | £75,619 | £3,893 |
| Chief Inspector, point 2 | £74,225 | £77,032 | £3,952 |
| Chief Inspector, point 3 | £75,709 | £78,510 | £4,014 |
Take-home is for outside London. Inspectors and chief inspectors do not get overtime, but are entitled to time off in lieu.
What a police inspector does
Inspectors manage several teams of officers, often through their sergeants. On response, a duty inspector runs policing for an area on a shift and takes command of serious incidents. Others lead a neighbourhood area, a custody suite, an investigation team or a specialist unit. Chief inspectors manage larger areas or whole departments.
Typical duties
- Taking command at serious incidents and making early decisions on resources and risk.
- Authorising powers that need an inspector, such as some detention reviews and stop and search authorities.
- Managing performance, budgets, complaints and staffing across your area.
- Working with councils, health services and other partners on local problems.
How to get there
You need to be a substantive sergeant, pass the inspectors’ legal exam and your force’s selection, then complete a 12-month work-based assessment. You must also have served at least two years as a sergeant before being confirmed as an inspector. Some officers join the fast track programme from constable to inspector instead.
Pay and hours
Inspectors are not paid overtime. That is why the pay scale starts well above sergeant, and why it matters to compare take-home pay rather than the headline rise. Inspectors and chief inspectors in London are on their own higher scales.
Common questions
How long does it take to become an inspector?
You must serve at least two years as a substantive sergeant, pass the inspectors’ legal exam and complete a 12-month work-based assessment. Fast track schemes can be quicker.
How much does a police inspector earn?
£66,000 to £71,396 outside London and £68,788 to £74,206 in London from 1 September 2026.
Do police inspectors get overtime?
No. Inspectors and above are not paid overtime under police regulations.