Essex Police employs more women as police officers than ever before

Essex Police now employs more women as police officers than ever before, according to new figures released in the force’s annual gender pay gap report.

The number of women employed in leadership and police staff roles at Essex Police has also increased as the force continues to strive hard to represent all the communities we serve.

Between 31 March 2022 and 31 March 2023, the reporting period covered by the latest Gender Pay Gap Report, the number of women who are Essex Police officers increased from 1,311 to 1,418.

More than 43 per cent of all officers recently recruited to Essex Police were women.

The force’s recruitment efforts have also led to an increase in women working in essential police staff positions, where numbers have grown from 1,602 to 1,662.

The report shows that the combined gender pay gap has increased from 13.3 per cent last year to 14.9 per cent. The gap can be attributed to the fact that more female officers have joined in recent years and are as a result employed on entry-level pay points when compared to a higher number of male officers who have served our communities for longer and who are no longer on entry-level pay points. It is anticipated that this gap will even-out over time as the women working as Essex Police officers and police staff increase the length of their service.

Chief Constable BJ Harrington said:

“We are delighted by the fact that our force has the highest ever number of women officers. We have also seen greater representation in our more senior officer ranks and of course within our police staff teams.
“It’s not just about numbers; women work in every area within our force from firearms policing, murder investigations and public order policing through to key operational leadership roles and specialist departments including IT, finance, estates, transport services – all of the things that policing relies upon 24/7.
“I’m proud of the fact that we have increased the representation of women at all police officer ranks and police staff grades, including our Chief Officer team which will shortly welcome our newest appointment, Assistant Chief Constable Lucy Morris.
“We are never complacent and we know we still have work to do to ensure we continue to increase the diversity of our workforce in all respects.”

During the reporting period, the combined bonus pay gap has increased in favour of women to 11.28 per cent. This is attributable to the force’s high percentage of women detectives who receive an additional detective payment.

Read the full Gender Pay Gap Report

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