10 Police Now participants attended their Confirmation in Rank ceremony at Essex Police on Friday (26^th November), recognising them as substantive Police Constables.

The ceremony was held at Chelmsford City Football Club and certificates were presented by Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington, in front of force guests and senior officers from local policing areas across Essex.

Addressing the attendees at the ceremony, Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: “Congratulations to all of you receiving your certificates here today. We mark this important milestone in your careers after two years of hard work, which has seen you help people in the community during some of their most vulnerable times. You have been tested mentally, physically, and emotionally as you have shared in their suffering and their successes, and worked to bring criminals to justice.

“It is a privilege to police with the consent of everyone in our communities, no matter who they are or where they have come from. You are here to help people, keep them safe, and catch criminals.

“I want to wish you the best of luck in your future careers and thank you for all you do for the people in Essex. Remember to support each other in your work, be proud to be a police officer, and be proud to be a part of Essex Police.”

The 10 participants are part of the 267 officers who graduated from Police Now’s National Graduate Leadership Programme this year – across 17 forces in England and Wales.

58 further police constables with Essex Police also received their Confirmation in Rank certificates alongside their Police Now colleagues at the ceremony.

Police Now participant PC Anna Lightfoot said “My proudest moment since joining the service was proactively leading several large-scale firearms and drug investigations. I have enjoyed working dynamically with serious crime and intelligence teams to achieve key disruptions amongst prolific organised crime groups.”

Kurtis Christoforides, Police Now’s Policing and Home Affairs Director, said: “I want to extend my enormous congratulations to the Essex Police officers confirmed in rank at Friday’s ceremony.

“Life as a police constable is challenging, complex and rewarding – you operate in a fast-paced and changeable environment but possess the opportunity to make a very considerable difference to people’s lives during every single shift.

“The whole Police Now team have enjoyed supporting you to develop as leaders, problem solvers and police officers during the last two years, and witnessing the positive impact that you have made in your communities and in your teams. I can’t wait to see and hear what you achieve in future as your policing careers progress even more successfully.”