In a BBC Panorama programme, Mike Fuller says there is "a real problem of minority officers in senior ranks coming through".
The Kent chief constable is seen as a potential successor to the recently resigned Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair. His comments come at a time when Scotland Yard is already embroiled in an acrimonious race row with the country's most senior Asian police officer, Tarique Ghaffur.
BBC Panorama's The Secret Policeman Returns charts progress at encouraging black and minority ethnic (BME) people into the force since a similar programme exposed racism among police recruits five years ago.
In an interview for the programme, Mr Fuller, who has two undergraduate degrees and two postgraduate degrees, said he personally felt the need to be overqualified in order to be promoted.
He added: "BME officers will often have to work twice as hard to be recognised, to compete with their peers and that is a big concern."
His comments appeared to be backed up by a survey of members of the Black Police Association undertaken by Panorama.
It found that just under two-thirds of respondents believed their career had been hindered by their race. And more than seven in ten claimed to have experienced racism at work.
One member said: "I've been treated worse than my parents in the sixties. It's all very well hidden, no racist words - you're just never good enough for promotion."
Another said: "Racism is very much alive and well in the Police Service. Many white officers will not even acknowledge a Black officer at times and you are made to feel that you are not welcome in the Police service."