46 new police officers welcomed to Essex Police by PFCC at passing out parade
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst 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, Commissioner Hirst, Chief Constable BJ Harrington, 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.
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.”
Chief Constable BJ Harrington QPM said he’s committed to reducing crime even further this winter.
“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.
