Chief police officer

Through legislation, chief police officers are given powers such as to permit public processions, or grant firearms licenses. Some such activities can be delegated to any constable.

Chief officer rank

Officers holding the ranks of assistant chief constable, deputy chief constable, chief constable, and those holding the following ranks in either the Metropolitan Police Service or City of London Police: commander, deputy assistant commissioner, assistant commissioner, the deputy commissioner and the commissioner are also members of the NPCC. These ranks are usually referred to as the "chief officer" ranks, although only the commissioners and chief constables are actual chiefs of a police forces.