56 NEW police officers took part in a passing out parade at Essex Police headquarters.

The parade was the first opportunity for families and friends to join the event since March 2020. In spite of restrictions imposed over the last 18 months, 507 men and women have been trained and have qualified as new officers, that's the equivalent of more than one officer a day for the past 16 months.

The event follows a series of County Lines drugs raids.

This year, in excess of 80 County Lines have been closed down in Essex and Thurrock, with more than 13kg of drugs with a street value of £536,000 and more than £255,000 in cash seized.

The new officers, who have now joined their teams across the county, are the latest people to join Essex Police, which is due to grow to more than 3,500 (excluding essential police support staff and volunteers) by the end of next month.

They were welcomed into the force by Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington and guests including Policing Minister Kit Malthouse MP, Police Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst, and Bishop of Colchester Roger Morris.

In the past 12 months, the number of female Essex Police officers has reached a record high, with 1,246 women working to protect and serve the people of Essex. More than 35% of officers in the county are women, and the force aims to increase this figure in the coming year.

The Chief Constable told new colleagues that their families should be proud they had come forward to catch criminals and keep the people of Essex safe.

The Passing Out Parade in Essex comes at a time when policing has been rightly challenged as a result of events across the UK.

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington told the new recruits, and their families: "I wish to be clear that as Chief Constable I accept the challenge to rebuild the bond of trust between the police – the men and women here – and all those who we are here to protect.

"I accept this challenge because when I see your commitment and when I see the support of your loved ones here today, I feel proud and privileged to be your Chief Constable and because I know that you are with me. I will also make a promise to you and to the people of Essex.

"I promise that as you carry out your duties insofar as they are lawful, necessary and proportionate, you will have my unwavering support. I promise your families that as colleagues, we will look after each other.

"And I promise that we will not rest until our county and our society is a safe place for every man, every woman and every child who lives here."