Essex Police welcomes 56 new officers
On Friday, November 30, 56 new recruits proudly ‘passed out’ during a special ceremony at Essex Police HQ in Chelmsford. They are the first of 150 new police officers paid for by the increase in the policing precept this financial year.
They were welcomed into the force by Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington, Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Jane Gardner and Director General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct, Michael Lockwood.
Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “I’m am delighted to hear that these new officers have completed their basic training and will soon be arriving in communities across the county.
“Last year, residents told me they were willing to pay more to have extra officers on their streets and this is now happening. Local, visible and accessible policing is one of the priorities in my Police and Crime Plan for Essex – these officers will make a huge difference to that.
“With additional officers on our streets, communities will have more confidence in Essex Police.”
He added: “I am hugely proud of them all for stepping forward to do such an important job and wish them all the very best of luck in their future career.”
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The officers have been put through their paces over the last 18 weeks as they trained to become police constables at the Essex Police College. After pledging their commitment to serve the residents of Essex, they were welcomed into the force in front of their loved ones.
Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington thanked the officers for all of their hard work during their training and wished them well in their future roles.
He said: “I want to welcome our amazing police constables at my first passing out parade as Chief Constable. Congratulations to all of you.
“As the first of our 150 additional officers to protect Essex, a great deal will be expected of you but I have no concerns from the discussions that I’ve had with you today that you’ll deliver. This job really is like no other and involves testing your patience and ability to provide fairness.
“As an officer you will be asked to do three things; help people, keep them safe and catch the baddies. I look forward to hearing the stories about you doing just that. You’re at the starting point in your career and you’ve joined a force that I could not be more proud to lead.”
During their training, the officers were split into three intakes, H1, H2 and H3. As part of their training course to become Police Constables, they held fundraising events for their chosen charities.
Intake H1 chose to raise money for the charity Play and Resource Centre (PARC) which is a children’s charity that provides play and recreation facilities for children with additional needs and provides short break care for their families and carers. They’ve given more than 470 children and their families a safe and friendly environment to learn, develop and have fun.
They raised £2,620 and presented a cheque to a representative of PARC during the ceremony.
Intake H2 chose ‘The Memory Café’ which provides support to dementia sufferers. Their activity programme includes activities that are stimulating and of interest to people attending, with the aim of improving mental and physical wellbeing.
The students raised £4,135 and presented a cheque to a representative of ‘The Memory Café’.
Intake H3 chose to raise money for ‘Lewis Little Legs’, a determined little boy with cerebral palsy who needs a number of operations to help his dream of walking to become a reality.
They raised £1,580 and presented a cheque to Lewis and his father.
The event saw PC Ryan Mutlow awarded the Essex Police College Shield and PC Harmit Gill, PC Liam Lewis and PC Alex Mason winning the Class Trophy.
PC Aaron Brown won the Kirste Snellgrove student officer award for demonstrating the core values expected of a police constable. The Kirste Snellgrove award was created in 2012 in honour of training Sergeant Snellgrove, who sadly died following a long fight against cancer. During her 22 years’ service with Essex Police, she had displayed the key values expected of every Essex Police officer and loved her role of serving the public.
To find out more about the additional 150 officers who are joining Essex Police, click here.
