Essex Police affirms commitment to Armed Forces Covenant
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Pictured - Essex Police Chief Constable alongside Lieutenant Colonel Ed Rankin, Commander of Colchester Garrison and Warrant Officer Class 1 Andy Lamont, Colchester Garrison Sergeant Major
Essex Police has today affirmed its commitment to those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families.
As part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, for which we have held a Silver Award since 2014, we have signed a standalone Armed Forces Covenant, which pledges our commitment to supporting former, and serving, services personnel, should they wish to work for Essex Police.
However, we aim to attain Gold award status in 2022, which is an accolade held by just nine other UK police forces.
Within our force, there are a number of officers and staff who are former services personnel or indeed serving reservist personnel, and we are looking to increase that number, through the ongoing recruitment work our HR Innovation team is doing with the Ministry of Defence.
Indeed, we already recognise the service of military personnel within our recruitment. For example, if former military personnel who apply to join us do not meet the required academic eligibility requirements, they are still able to apply as a result of their relevant transferable experience.
We are also developing direct links with the Army’s Regimental Career Management Officers (RCMOs), to ensure Royal Military Police personnel leaving the service are aware of Essex Police and the roles we have available.
We also have arrangements in place to support military personnel, including serving and former, who enter our custody suites. Through Project Nova, we now have a cohort of officers and staff who are deployed as necessary to assist.
Today, Chief Constable BJ Harrington welcomed Lieutenant Colonel Ed Rankin, Commander of Colchester Garrison and Warrant Officer Class 1 Andy Lamont, Colchester Garrison Sergeant Major, to celebrate our relationship.
Lieutenant Colonel Ed Rankin, the British Army’s lead for civil engagement in Essex, said:
“The Armed Forces enjoy a close relationship with Essex Police, which is of mutual benefit to both organisations and to the people of Essex.
“As a concrete example, I went out recently with Essex Police and the Royal Military Police on a joint night-time patrol in Colchester, with our officers working together to keep the community safe.
“Many police officers serve in the county’s Army Reserve units and many ex-military personnel join the police, bringing their valuable skills and experiences to continue their service to the country in a different uniform.
“It is a privilege to have been invited today to celebrate the force’s support to the Armed Forces Covenant. I look forward to continuing our work together.”
Chief Constable BJ Harrington said:
“The Army and the police enjoy an especially close relationship, with many former Armed Forces personnel and serving Army Reservists opting to join us.
“They bring with them skills and experience which we value very highly. Signing the Armed Forces Covenant is not just about putting pen to paper; it is about making our actions speak louder than words and I believe we are doing that.
“At the moment, there are a number of officers and staff who were previously members of the Armed Forces, or who are serving reservists, serving in a wide variety of roles within Essex Police and we value and support each and every one of those men and women.
“But our work isn’t stopping there – we continue to work alongside the Ministry of Defence as part of our ongoing recruitment programme.
“Whether you have been in the forces, continue to serve, or indeed have no affiliation with the forces at all, if your values fit with ours you are welcome in Essex Police.”