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Chief constable retires after 36 years in policing

Lewis AdamsEssex
News imageBBC Ben-Julian Harrington, who has short brown hair, staring at the camera with a serious expression. He is wearing a white shirt with a black tie and black epaulettes, which have a golden crest and crown on them. In the background is the blue, red and silver Essex Police crest.BBC
Ben-Julian Harrington said being chief constable of Essex Police had been "an honour and privilege"

The chief constable of Essex Police has announced his retirement after 36 years in policing.

Ben-Julian Harrington took the senior role in 2018, having started his career with the Metropolitan Police in 1990.

He has overseen high-profile incidents including the deaths of 39 migrants in a lorry trailer, the murder of MP Sir David Amess and anti-asylum protests in Epping.

The outgoing officer said: "For the last eight years, this force has been my life and my family."

A process to replace him would be announced in due course, Essex Police said.

Harrington joined the force on secondment as deputy chief constable in 2017, before taking the top job a year later.

News imageDowning Street/EPA Ben-Julian Harrington, Sir Keir Starmer and Boris Johnson, all smartly dressed in suits, carrying large bouquets of flowers. They are walking past a police cordon on a residential street.Downing Street/EPA
Harrington (left) attended the scene with Sir Keir Starmer and then-prime minister Boris Johnson when Sir David Amess was murdered in Leigh-on-Sea

Harrington has also chaired the National Police Chiefs' Council's Operations Committee and was formally the national lead for public order and public safety policing.

As part of the latter role, he coordinated the national response to disorder sparked in response to the Southport knife attacks in summer 2024.

Harrington long fought for his officers to be better paid, saying some were leaving to become scaffolders.

He said the role had been "an honour and privilege" and heaped praise on the "committed and brave officers" he led.

"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," Harrington continued.

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

News imageAl Underwood/Essex Police Ben-Julian Harrington is wearing a black suit with three medals on his jacket. He is also wearing a black and white police hat. He is talking to a man at an outdoor ceremony.Al Underwood/Essex Police
Harrington leaves Essex Police "in a strong position for the future", the county's police, fire and crime commissioner has said

Roger Hirst, the police, fire and crime commissioner for Essex, said Harrington had provided "strong and sustained leadership" for the county.

"He has led Essex Police through some of the most serious and complex investigations in recent years, with a clear focus on protecting the public and catching criminals," Hirst said.

He thanked Harrington for leaving Essex Police "in a strong position for the future", adding: "I wish BJ and his family all the very best."

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