NEW figures released this month by Essex Police show record levels of applications both from women and from people with a diverse range of ethnic backgrounds.
*35.6% of officers identify as women
*65.7% of our staff identify as women
*4.1% of our officers now identify as being from a minority ethnic background
The figures come as the force launches a brand-new recruitment drive which will build on the success of the #WeValueDifference campaign launched in September 2020. At a time of year when many are considering a change in their career or taking on a new challenge, the Essex Chief Constable will encourage people to join as an officer, detective, member of police staff or as a volunteer Special Constable.
This campaign highlights the hundreds of opportunities available to applicants at Essex Police – from firearms through to Finance, detective with Major Crime to Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator and focuses on the values of the people who work at Essex Police. The new video, based on the many attributes of people who make up our police force is here and is accompanied by case studies of scores of men and women who have already stepped forward to protect and serve the county.
The first #WeValueDifference campaign, launched in 2020, received the support of broad range of people and organisations around the world, from one of the UK’s greatest Paralympians Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, to TV celebrities like Andi Peters, and police officers overseas.
In 2022, Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington wants to show why the force is different to other organisations and why it places so much importance on valuing the things that make us all different, too. He said: “I joined the police because I want to make a difference to peoples’ lives. That’s why I put on the uniform day-in, day-out and it’s the same for the people who I feel lucky to work with.”
“I’m not going to pretend it’s easy or that catching criminals and keeping people safe is simple. It’s not. But what I can promise is that whoever you are or whatever you do here, you’ll be valued for who you are. Whether you’re the person picking up the 999 call for help, the first person on scene, or the technician developing our latest kit, you’ll be supporting people at critical moments in their life.”
“That’s why different life experiences are so valuable to policing. They combine to make Essex Police an even better force.”
“There are more than 300 different job roles here, so no matter what your skills or background are, a great career is waiting at Essex Police – as long as you share our values and you want to do your best to make Essex an even safer place to live and work.”
Over the past two years, officers have also transferred to Essex Police, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge and skills.
Chief Superintendent Jenny Barnett, who now oversees policing in the west of Essex (including Harlow, Brentwood, Epping and Loughton) is just one of those new officers. She is the force’s most senior black woman and leads hundreds of officers including specialist detectives. She wants her journey in policing in Essex to inspire others.
She said: “I really want anyone who has thought of policing but not stepped forward yet to give it a go. Come and talk to us. If people think we need to change or improve what we do, there’s no better way to make a difference than to be the change you want to see. That’s what I did and I’m proud of it.”
“You can be the person that makes a difference.”
One of our newest recruits, PC Jamone Campbell, is a response officer who works in Grays. He said: “Since joining Essex Police I have found a sense of belonging – not just belonging to a little social group, but a larger policing family. For me, being inclusive not only helps people like me feel that we are safe, but it gives us a place where we feel welcome and included – a sense that we belong.
“I remember, even from a very young age, I saw in the media that people who looked like me were ‘bad people’ or ‘villains’. During my teens, my eyes were opened to this discrimination even more. I felt like I was pressured into becoming someone I didn’t want to be, just because of the colour of my skin.
“Now, I’ve been welcomed into a field of work that has a challenging relationship with people from my background, but it’s heart-warming to see that society is changing and so is Essex Police.”
You can view our main recruitment advert, hear the case studies from our officers, staff and volunteers, and read more about the campaign, here:
www.essex.police.uk/fitthebill
