Benefits, lifestyle and support
Becoming a police officer with Essex Police offers a range of benefits and support, along with access to national and local discounts.
Starting salary range is £33,914* (including £2,750 South East Allowance). Your salary will increase in yearly increments up to £53,003* within seven years along with a number of other benefits.
Officers from the rank of constable to chief inspector will receive an additional 10% of their basic pay for all hours worked between 8pm and 6am. This payment is not pensionable and will be paid for each full hour worked. Where overtime is worked between 8pm and 6am, the rate of the allowance is still 10% of basic pay, not 10% of the overtime rate. The allowance is paid in full in respect of each full hour worked.
Sergeant promotion - starting salary is £53,568* plus £2,750 South East allowance
You can apply for promotion to sergeant or for any specialist roles:
- after two years if you have used the entry routes Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) or Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP)
- after three years if you have used the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) route
The specialist police officer roles could be in teams such as firearms, our dog unit or you could train to become a detective. We have over 100 roles available at police constable rank alone so there is plenty of choice.
*From 1 September 2025.
As a full-time police constable you will have 22 days paid annual holiday, rising to 30 days a year depending on your length of service. This is on top of public holidays and an average of two rest days each week.
You can also expect other forms of leave, including maternity, paternity and adoption leave, special leave (with or without pay), parental leave and career breaks of up to five years.
When you start, you'll automatically become a member of the Police Pension Scheme, but can opt-out.
This is a CARE (Career Average Revalued Earnings) pension scheme which offers a guaranteed pension with an optional lump sum, based on the earnings you receive during your career. Both you and Essex Police contribute and you will receive tax relief on the contributions you make.
If you already have a pension it may be possible to transfer this into the scheme.
More information is available on the Essex Pension Fund website and LGPS website.
We pride ourselves on our ongoing skills and development programmes. We will provide you with:
- ongoing training through courses, mentoring and coaching
- promotion and development opportunities into different police specialisms
- a focus on your continued professional development through a performance development review
We believe our workforce is our greatest asset and we're proud to be a caring employer.
We've worked hard to be recognised as a disability confident employer and to also provide a large range of support initiatives to help with you (and your family's) health and welfare.
These include:
- support for those with caring responsibilities (flexible working)
- occupational health and welfare counselling
- on-site gym facilities at a number of our stations
- cycle-to-work scheme
- free eye-sight tests (and a range of frames)
- a subsidised convalescence home
- development and mentoring schemes including leadership pathways
- membership of the Police Federation
- staff support groups to support and represent your needs, beliefs and value.
Our staff support groups enable us to engage directly with the needs of all staff – providing a critical friend where needed.
As an Essex Police Constable you will be able to join the Essex Police Sports Association (EPSA) via which you can enjoy a multitude of discounts and special offers from many high street stores, national attractions and travel suppliers. These offers include cinema tickets, restaurants and even reduced prices on several car brands.
Through Payroll you will be able to access Childcare Vouchers, our Cycle 2 Work scheme and other salary sacrifice schemes.
EPSA also provides access to approved companies who offer our members financial advice, preferential insurance rates and discounted legal services.
As a Police Constable with Essex Police, you will get access to a number of subsidised leisure and sporting activities. There is a wide range of sports and sports associations to enjoy whilst making new friends and increasing your fitness.
Many police stations have gym facilities and you’ll benefit from ongoing training and development opportunities.
As well as our annual Croker Cup sports competition, we are affiliated to Police Sport UK who regularly run national and international police tournaments.
