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Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington QPM welcomed 53 new police officers into the Essex Police family at a passing out parade at force HQ in Chelmsford.
The parade was also an opportunity to thank Assistant Chief Constable Kevin Baldwin after more than 31 years in policing.
The new officers of class 5/23 made their policing pledge at Essex Police Headquarters today, Friday 31 May, and will carry on the hard work of the force driving down crime in the county. This cohort of officers included 30 men and 23 women.
The recruits passed out in front of family, friends, Chief Constable Harrington, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst, High Sheriff David Hurst and his wife Jane Hurst, and His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant Jennifer Tolhurst – who was accompanied by St John Ambulance Cadet Corporal Hannah Perry and Sea Cadet, Leading Cadet Ben Wesson.
This new group of officers are joining at a time when the work of Essex Police is bringing down crime across the county, with 11,947 fewer incidents in the 12 months to April 2024, a reduction of 7.3% compared to the previous 12 months to April 2023.
Speaking to new officers, Chief Constable BJ Harrington QPM said he’s committed to reducing crime even further this summer.
The chief said:
“We police with consent. This isn’t just something we say. It is real.
“At a time of so much uncertainty at home and overseas, you will be a reassuring and constant presence in our villages, towns and cities.
“I urge you to make the most of every opportunity. Look after each other and enjoy being part of the Essex Police family."
The officers passing out join a police force that is working hard to make our county safer.
The Chief Constable also thanked Assistant Chief Constable Kevin Baldwin, who is retiring after more than three decades with Essex Police and the Metropolitan Police Service.
Kevin Baldwin leads the team of detectives which secured 424 charges against people who thought – wrongly – that they could try to commit online sexual offences in Essex.
Last year, our Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT) made more than 600 arrests or suspect interviews for these offences and secured 424 charges – the most of any force anywhere in the UK.
In the last 12 months the team also solved 92 percent of the 450 investigations they carried out.
ACC Baldwin told the new recruits:
“Today, as I end my career and you begin yours, let me share some thoughts with you that I hope stick with you throughout your policing career.
“Never lose sight of the fact that your actions save lives, change lives and help rebuild lives.
“Don’t forget your colleagues are your family. You will see and experience things together that are tragic, unbelievable, bad but also at times funny and unique. Your colleagues will always be there with you throughout those experiences.
“Remember we enter victims’ lives at the very darkest and lowest moments. It is a privilege to serve them, support them and secure justice for them.
“Making that arrest, getting that prison sentence and telling the victim justice has been served – that is what the job is about.”
Mr Baldwin joined the policing family in 1992 as a Police constable in the Met Police. Over 22 years in London he worked as a murder detective, investigated robberies, and joined the force’s Child Abuse Investigation Team.
He was part of the policing operation which made the London 2012 Olympics safe, before transferring to Essex Police in 2016.
Since then he has led the policing of the districts in the south of Essex, directed the force’s Contact Management Command – ensuring the force is responding to emergencies quickly and effectively – and has led the force’s Crime, Public Protection and Criminal Justice teams as Assistant Chief Constable.
These last teams are responsible for investigating domestic abuse, sexual abuse and violent crimes, and making sure offenders face justice for their actions.
At Essex Police, we value difference. We know we’re strongest when we work together. And we want a workforce that represents our communities.
If you share our values and want to help people, keep people safe and catch criminals, then join us as a police officer, member of staff, special constable or volunteer.
Find out if you #FitTheBill by visiting our careers page.