"Courage and duty of D-Day are values at heart of policing"

“The courage, duty and public service shown by our brave armed forces during D-Day are values at the very heart of policing”.

That’s from our Chief Constable as colleagues from the armed forces joined him to mark the 81st anniversary of D-Day and watch 33 new officers take their oaths.

Major Stephan D’Abreu-Hayling from Sandhurst joined the Chief, other guests, and the new officers’ friends and family on Friday (6 June).

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: “Eighty-one years ago soldiers stepped off landing craft or jumped from aircraft to fight the tyranny of Nazi occupation and secure the freedoms we now hold dear.

“Last month at our Essex Police Memorial Day we remembered the 291 officers who left the force to serve in the Armed Forces in World War Two.

“We remembered the 32 officers from the Essex, Colchester, and Southend forces were killed overseas, as well as the two more lost their lives in the bombing of Headquarters.

“We remembered the officers and staff of this force who have given their lives in service of Essex Communities and we were able to thank some of their families for their loved one’s dedication and service.

“The war brought new challenges to policing then and the world brings new challenges to us now, but the way they approached them serves as powerful reminders of the enduring values of public service. Just as those officers faced extraordinary challenges with bravery and integrity, we are called upon to serve with honour in today’s complex world.

“Courage, public service, respect and empathy, are values at the very heart of policing.”

Chief Constable Harrington added: “I am honoured to be part of a force whose officers and staff did their bit so courageously, some paying the ultimate price.

“We continue to have a proud connection to our armed forces with Colchester Barracks and our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.

“And we maintain that tradition of public service today, protecting and serving Essex whether that be through our expanded Neighbourhood Policing Teams who will be more visible and accessible from this spring, or our specialist detectives putting burglars, violent criminals, and sexual predators behind bars.”

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.

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