46 New Recruits Join Essex Police

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington QPM welcomed 46 new police officers into the Essex Police family at a passing out parade at force HQ in Chelmsford.

The new officers made their policing pledge at Essex Police Headquarters today, Friday 22 November, and will carry on the hard work of the force driving down crime in the county.

The recruits passed out in front of family, friends, Chief Constable Harrington, Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst, Lord Lieutenant Jennifer Tolhurst, and from the Royal Navy Commander Chris Cozens of HMS Venturer.

This new group of officers are joining at a time when the work of Essex Police is bringing down crime across the county, with 9,300 fewer offences reported in the last year and 20,000 fewer than five years ago.

Speaking to new officers, Chief Constable BJ Harrington QPM said he’s committed to reducing crime even further this winter.

Speaking at the event, Chief Constable Harrington said he was proud of the progress officers were making in driving down criminality:

“When society is tucked up in bed, it will be our police officers who are out keeping the county safe – sometimes walking right into dangerous situations and tackling them head on, putting the welfare of our communities ahead of their own.
“It is why we attended 77,000 emergencies in the last year.
“It’s why we made more than 30,000 arrests.
“And it’s why we secured 13,000 charges.
“And we are bringing down crime – 9,300 fewer offences reported in the last year and 20,000 fewer than five years ago.
“Violent, sexual, and domestic offences are down.
“Knife crime – down.
“Anti-social behaviour – down.
“We’re solving more home burglaries than almost any other force, attend 98 percent of them, and are starting to see them fall too.
“We also arrest and charge more people who pose a risk to children online than any other force.
“So far this year we’ve made around 1,500 shoplifting arrests and secured 2,500 charges.”

The Chief Constable also highlighted the importance for the force’s investment in new specialist staff and technology, as well as referenced what it takes to keep pushing crime down. He said:

“Our work to establish policing hotspots to cut violent crime has been rolled out across the UK.
“We’re one of just three forces in the country to operate Live Facial Recognition technology, which has already proved successful at identifying suspects and bringing them into custody.
“But we are at a critical moment, and decisions made now will echo for years to come.
“Because, we can only keep this work going, keep crime coming down, keep providing this level of service to the public if we have the right resourcing.
“It costs tens of thousands of pounds to train and equip each new officer and we’re spending millions of pounds more each year to keep our buildings fit for purpose.
“We are the eighth largest force in the country but only Wiltshire gets proportionately less funding.
“Cumbria can spend 40 percent more per person living there on policing than we can.
“We put more officers in our communities, on our roads, and in our towns and villages for every pound in funding we receive than any other force.
“We need to continue employing specialist staff like IT – 90 percent of crime has a digital footprint – forensics, training and development, detention officers, call handlers.
“Their work is crucial, as is the work of all the people who ensure this force can protect and serve the people of Essex in the amazing way it does.”

The Chief Constable concluded with a simple message for the new recruits from his 34 years in policing:

“My message to you is clear – if someone contacts us and says they believe a crime has been committed, you investigate it.
“If someone says they have been the victim of crime, you investigate it.
“You protect the victim; you follow reasonable lines of enquiry, and you do this without fear or favour.
“It’s what we do… It’s what we’ve always done… And it’s what we will continue to do.
“You have my support to do this, and you have the support of the people of Essex – 77 percent of whom think Essex Police does a good or excellent job.
“Good luck and congratulations to every one of you and I wish you all the very best in your careers.”

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said:
“Passing Out Parades are a very special occasion for the newly qualified officers and their families.
“It’s an opportunity to celebrate their hard work and dedication to joining the force, as well as congratulating them for completing their initial training.
“Essex Police is the biggest and strongest it has ever been, and we must use that to ensure visible policing is delivered in local communities. Local, visible, accessible policing is a top priority in the Police and Crime Plan 2024-2028 and welcoming new officers today demonstrates the commitment of the PFCC and Essex Police to implementing that priority over the next four years.”

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 fit the bill