Essex chief constable to retire after 36-year career

In 2017, Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington joined Essex Police on secondment as Deputy Chief Constable. He remained and became chief in 2018.

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. He remained and became chief in 2018.

Before joining polcing he worked for HM Customs and Excise and was a reserve soldier in the Parachute Regiment.

After learning the ropes as a response officer, he joined the Metropolitan Police Services’ specialist public order team, the Territorial Support Group (TSG). He became a Sergeant in 1996 and continued his promotion through the ranks. By October 2014, he had become Area Commander for Northwest London.

Later as Commander for Public Order in London he oversaew the policing of football crowds and the Notting Hill Carnival, large scale protests, and the London 2012 Olympics.

Reflecting on his time at the helm of the 186-year-old constabulary, 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.

“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 came to this county having grown up in North London, but over the years Essex has secured the most special place in my heart.

“It’s a county that is vibrant, diverse and full of brilliant people – people who make it so unique.”

CC Harrington has been chair of the NPCC Operations Committee and formally the national lead for Public Order and Public Safety policing. He co-ordianted the national response to the disorder in the summer of 2024.

A process to appoint a new chief will be announced by Police Fire & Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst in due course.