SIXTY-NINE new officers are ready to fight crime on the streets of Essex after officially joining the police force. 

A passing out parade saw 35 men and 34 women officially complete their training as part of the force’s push to have more than 3,500 officers by March 2022. 

One of the new officers, PC Libby Keyse, will be based in Basildon and is on “cloud nine” after passing out. 

She first applied to be a special constable at 18 and was successful by 22 after spending nearly three years volunteering.

The new officer said: “I have been trying to do this for years, so to get to this point, I am on cloud nine.

“I am trained to be an accountant, as well as in fashion and textiles, which is completely polar-opposite, but I have always had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to be in the police.

“There is nothing in this world I have wanted more, and my parents and my partner have seen how hard I have worked for this.”

Essex Police has 600 more officers based across the county than it did five years ago. 
Chief Constable BJ Harrington praised the latest set of recruits. 

He said: “Essex Police is made up of different people with the same values and we are one team, one family, one county and one force.

“As they join our local policing teams, they will be focussed on gripping drug-driven violence, domestic abuse, night-time economy disorder and the impact of criminal gangs.

“Essex Police’s detective are very good at catching killers and arresting and charging serious offenders but, in 2022, the job of our new officers will be to stop criminals before they have an opportunity to do harm.

“Our priorities are clear. Investigate crime. Detect crime. Prevent crime. Catch criminals, protect people, keep people safe.”

If you think you would like to join the force and protect Essex, visit: https://www.essex.police.uk/fitthebill