Meet Chief Inspector Tony Atkin who transferred from the Metropolitan Police to Essex Police in 2021 and is now using his skills as Divisional Commander in Thurrock.

Chief Inspector Tony Atkins with Chief Constable BJ Harrington

CI Atkin speaks about his career and what he enjoys most about the job.

What force did you transfer to Essex from and why?

I wanted a new challenge. Having worked in the departments I had aspired to be in, I felt that the Met no longer offered that challenge. Also, positions available to me as a DI in the Met, meant increased travel to and from work and I felt I needed a better work life balance. 

What is the most rewarding part of the job or the part you enjoy the most?

As District Commander I get to meet and with the people within the community we serve. They provide lived experiences that help us learn from; incidents that have not gone so well and also we can share where Essex Police have had a positive impact within the community. This information helps understand the needs of the community and the issues they would like the police to prioritise and how we can keep the community safe. Working within the community improves the stream of intelligence which then helps us catch those criminals that are impacting on our community the most.

Can you share your most memorable moment?

My most memorable moment in Essex Police was leading a team of detective in a cross border investigation into the aggravated burglary of British Cyclist, Mark Cavendish. This led to the arrest and conviction of three men, who are now serving a combined sentence of 50 years imprisonment. This is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of Loughton CID (Criminal Investigation Department), CSI (Crime Scene Investigation),CSM (Crime Scene Management) and all those involved. This resulted in a Chief Constables Commendation to those who had key roles in the investigation. 

Have you gained any other skills or qualifications that have helped you in your role?

Having been promoted within 16 months of joining the force, I took on a new role within uniformed policing, an area I had not worked in 15 years. This has opened my eyes more to the work we do with the community which has an impact on preventing and reducing crime. 

What opportunities would you like to pursue for your future career at Essex Police?

My main goal is to progress in policing and share my knowledge and experience as wide as possible in order to help upskill the new officers within Essex Police, whilst working with the community in order to prevent crime. I achieved promotion from Detective Inspector to Chief Inspector within 16 months of joining Essex Police. I hope to progress further within Essex Police within the next 2 to 5 years and achieve promotion to Superintendent. 

Can you offer any advice for new recruits or anyone looking to transfer?

Always speak to people that have done it before. I done everything I wanted to do in my last force and wanted a new challenge which Essex could provide. 

Despite their being a quarter of resources here in comparison to the Met, I still see the good work and achievements that Essex Police can do. I'm proud to be part of this force and what we're able to achieve on a daily basis.