Service standards
Delivering a high quality service
We will always treat you fairly with dignity and respect and ensure that you can easily contact us.
We will get back to you within 48 hours if you report you are not happy with our service.
Protecting the public
We will aim to answer emergency calls (
999) within 10 seconds and to do our best to be with you in 15 minutes if you are in a town and 20 minutes if you are in a place that is harder to get to (rural areas).
We will answer all non emergency calls (
101 or
01245 491491) as quickly as possible. If we need to see you we will give you an estimated time of arrival or make an appointment to see you at a mutually agreeable time.
Providing a local service
We will give out information about your local officers so that you know who they are and how to contact them.
We will listen to feedback about our services. We will arrange regular opportunities to meet you and give updates on our work and the progress we are making.
We will ensure your local officer calls you back within 24 hours if you ring or text them about an issue.
Keeping victims of crime informed
If you are a victim of crime we will agree with you how you would like to be kept informed of progress. You have the right to be kept informed at least every month if you wish and for as long as is reasonable.
You can find out details about your local officer by entering your postcode in the
Your area section of this website or by calling the non emergency number (
101 or
01245 491491).
For more information about local crime data and the policing priorities for your area visit the
Your area section of our website.
In an emergency always dial 999.
Code of Ethics
Essex Police follows the Code of Practice for the Principles and Standards of Professional Behaviour for the Policing Profession of England and Wales.
Policing principles
Every person working for the police service must work honestly and ethically. The public expect the police to do the right thing in the right way. Basing decisions and actions on a set of policing principles will help to achieve this.
- accountability
- fairness
- honesty
- integrity
- leadership
- objectivity
- openness
- respect
- selflessness
- standards of professional behaviour
These standards reflect the expectations that the professional body and the public have of the behaviour of those working in policing.
- honesty and integrity
- authority, respect and courtesy
- equality and diversity
- use of force
- orders and instructions
- duties and responsibilities
- confidentiality
- fitness for work
- conduct
- challenging and reporting improper conduct