PFCC welcomes 70 new officers to Essex Police at Passing Out Parade
The newest recruits to join Essex Police have been welcomed to the force by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex.
PFCC Roger Hirst MBE was among the dignitaries to congratulate the cohort of 70 officers as they marched in front of their loved ones at their Passing Out ceremony.
The recruits have just completed 22 weeks at Essex Police College where they took part in classroom learning and practical exercises to challenge and develop them as operational officers.
They have also been assessed against the national standard by carrying out knowledge-based examinations and practical assessments.
Roger Hirst MBE, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, spoke at the special occasion at Police Headquarters and said: “It gladdens my heart to see you all here today.
“It is quite special to have the Chief Constable here representing law and order, the Lord Lieutenant representing the King, the High Sheriff for the justice system and me, on behalf of the public.
“It is incumbent of me to welcome you on behalf of the public. They are enormously grateful for what you do. I spend a lot of time with the public, at public meetings, in correspondence and speaking to other representatives of the public, and what I can tell you is how much they value what you do.
“I do not think I’ve ever heard anybody say ‘why do we have so many police officers?’. That is testament to the way Essex Police work and have worked; the relationships they have with members of the public, communities and community groups. The fact they are visible and present and obviously care.
“The message I get from the public is that they value what you do enormously; they see the impact you have on reducing crime and antisocial behaviour, on keeping them safe and that you care. Thank you for that; for the things you are doing on behalf of the people of Essex.
“Every contact you have with them is an opportunity to build relationships, to influence them, to win respect for law and order and to help make this amazing county into a safer, better, more thriving place. If you do what you do well, it will be a place where people can go about their lives, their work, fun, raise families and thrive and prosper in a way they could not without you.
“It really matters. Thank you on behalf of those people and I wish you every success in your future career.”