Chief Constable welcomes 72 new Essex Police officers at Passing Out Parade

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington welcomed new police officers into the Essex Police family at today’s passing out parade. The officers will carry on the hard work of the force driving down crime in the county.

A former stunt woman, a fishmonger and a member of the Royal Navy were among the 72 officers inducted on Friday 8 September, highlighting the varied backgrounds our force attracts.

The recruits passed out in front of family, friends, Chief Constable Harrington, Deputy Lieutenant Mrs Sidra Naeem, Police Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst and the Right Honourable James Cleverly, Member of Parliament for Braintree and Foreign Secretary.

The Chief Constable referred to officers’ work leading to more than 9,000 fewer crimes being reported in Essex this year compared to the previous year – a drop of 5% – which he said was only possible with a fully-equipped police force. He said:

“On behalf of the force and the 72 new officers here today thank you for the support and resources you give us.
“Know that if you give us the resources to do the job, we will drive crime down even further.
“The investment in our force and the hard work and professionalism of the people within it means we are making a real difference.
“Crime is falling. In the last year, there were almost 9,000 fewer crimes reported than in the previous year – a drop of over 5%.
“We are bringing more people to justice and supporting the victims of the crimes they commit.”

Chief Constable Harrington also took the opportunity when welcoming special guests to pay his respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II on the first anniversary of her death. He said:

“Welcome to our honoured guests, Deputy Lieutenant Mrs Sidra Naeem, Police Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst and the Right Honourable James Cleverly, Member of Parliament for Braintree and Foreign Secretary.
“It is an honour to have you here and especially to have you Nidra, His Majesty’s Deputy Lord Lieutenant with us when we will all state our oath today on the anniversary of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, under whom I and many here first swore their oath as a constable.
“A woman who was the very epitome of a selfless servant of the public from whom all of us can draw learning from the example and standards she set.”

Chief Constable Harrington added:

“My sources tell me that among our ranks we now have a former stunt actress, a fishmonger, a lab technician and a former member of the Royal Navy joining the people with a raft of professional experience from a range of backgrounds that together make up Essex Police.
“Here, today, wherever you are from, it’s your values and perhaps a calling to public service which has brought us together. A commitment to work with and on behalf of communities to protect and serve.
“Together, you will see the best of humanity: the colleagues who are determined to bring criminals to justice.

“Colleagues who last month shut down a County Lines gang and secured a seven-year sentence for the crack cocaine dealer who thought – wrongly – that he could get away with that in our county.
“Colleagues who recovered £1,000,000 of stolen cars in the space of just seven days.
“Colleagues who recently saw a sex offender found guilty of 21 offences and jailed for 24 years.
“Colleagues who every day work to reduce ASB and crime across Essex.
“For the communities of Essex and the members of our communities here today, serving or supporting and watching as we celebrate another amazing group of people going out to work in the communities of Essex.
“I would say we police with your consent and support as Sir Robert Peel intended back in 1829 when he founded the modern police service saying “the police are the public and the public are the police”.
“Essex is a great force and together with the support of the public we can continue to do great things. I am proud to be your Chief and proud of every one of you. Good luck and I wish you every success as you march off into your future careers.”