MEMBERS of the Kent Police Authority are currently sifting through applications for the position of Chief Constable of Kent.

They plan to interview for the post in late September in preparation for a high-ranking police officer taking up the role on January 1 next year.

At the moment Bob Ayling is temporarily filling the Chief Constable's position, after Sir David Phillips stepped down in March to head up a new national agency, the Centre for Policing Excellence.

Michael Powis, clerk to the police authority KPA, said they had already received a number of applications, mostly from outside Kent.

The role, which carries an annual salary of £116,151, was not advertised in the local press, but in the Police Gazette, the force's magazine.

It was only advertised from June onwards because of strict Home Office guidelines about timing, leaving an interim period filled by Mr Ayling.

He, however, is not eligible to apply for the position as he has not worked for more than one police force - a must in the long list of job specifications.