ESSEX Police Chief Constable BJ Harrington has announced that he will be retiring from Essex Police.

The announcement brings to end a 36-year career in policing, which began in 1990 in the Metropolitan Police.

In 2017, Chief Constable Harrington joined Essex Police on secondment as Deputy Chief Constable and became Chief Constable in 2018.

Reflecting on his time at the helm he said:""Being Chief Constable of Essex Police has been so much more than a job, for the last eight years this force has been my life and my family.

"The role of Chief Constable is an honour and privilege: leading the most committed, and brave officers who, every day, run towards danger, without second thought; leading the most dedicated police staff who go above and beyond every day without question; leading the volunteers who give up their own time for the greater good of our communities.

"In the last eight years we have achieved so much: preventing, reducing crime and solving more crime; helping victims; using technology and innovation; relentlessly pursuing the bad guys and locking them up; growing and reshaping our force to ensure we are fit for the challenges of now and the future; and, the single most important part of our oath, protecting and serving the people of Essex.

"I am so proud of all we have achieved and I'm so grateful to all in Essex Police, our fire and ambulance colleagues, our partners in local government and voluntary and community sectors and our PFCC Roger Hirst.

"But most of all I am grateful to you – the people of Essex. I came to this county having grown up in North London, but over the years Essex has secured the most special place in my heart.

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"It's a county that is vibrant, diverse and full of brilliant people – people who make it so unique. My thanks to all of the people of Essex for your support and I know you will continue to get behind Essex Police, thank you."

CC Harrington has also played an active leadership role in national policing.

As the chair of the NPCC Operations Committee and formally the national lead for Public Order and Public Safety policing and of course coordinating the national response to the disorder in the summer of 2024.

A process to replace Chief Constable Harrington will be announced by Police Fire & Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst in due course.