Challenges ahead for new Chief Constable says Federation

POLICE assaults, the number of officers and shift patterns – just a few issues the new Essex Police Chief Constable will need to focus on, says Essex Police Federation Chairman Steve Taylor.

He says he’s looking forward to working with BJ Harrington who’s been named as Essex PCC’s proposed candidate for the role.

The new candidate will succeed Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh.

“I think it’s really encouraging that we’ve got a promising and strong leader waiting in the wings in BJ,” Steve said.

“There’s lots of work we could continue to work with him on such as Protect the Protectors, general demand, number of officers and shift patterns so I would be very encouraged to see his arrival.”

He would be a tough act to follow though, Steve said, who added he was ‘very sorry’ to see Stephen leave.

The new Chief Constable will have a lot on his plate Steve warned.

“It’s all about resources, resources, resources – it’s at the heart of everything we do.

“Very simply, there are not enough of us,” he said.

“There are too few of us doing more with less, and that creates strains and stresses.

“Addressing those strains and stresses when you’re not in an ability to argue resource is the nub of all our issues.

“If we can’t beat it at source then trying to fight some of the symptoms such as health and wellbeing, such as shift patterns, such as officer assaults, then doing what we can in those areas is where our focus should be.

“But the lack of resources is at the very centre of all our woes in my opinion.”