Profile

Essex Police Chief Constable, Ben-Julian Harrington, or BJ, began his policing career with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in 1990. BJ brought with him experience not only from his work with HM Customs and Excise, but his skills as a reserve soldier in the Parachute Regiment too.

After learning the ropes as a response police officer, BJ joined the Metropolitan Police Services’ specialist public order team, the Territorial Support Group (TSG). He became a Sergeant in 1996 and continued through the ranks until becoming Area Commander for Northwest London in 2014. He had gained operational policing experience in a variety of roles, and particularly an interest in public order policing.

His roles included working on the command team for the London 2012 Olympics, the implementations of Safer Neighbourhood Teams and becoming Commander for Public Order in London.

BJ also worked as one of the National Counter Terrorism Commanders.

In 2017, BJ was seconded to the role of Deputy Chief Constable for Essex Police. He took over as the Chief Constable in October 2018.

Alongside his Chief Constable responsibilities, BJ is also the chair of the NPCC Operations Coordination Committee (NOCC) which covers 15 national portfolios in areas such as Public Order Public Safety, Firearms, Roads Policing, Aviation, and many other areas. Additionally, BJ is also the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for the JESIP Transformation Programme between all three blue-light services. He has a postgraduate diploma in Police Leadership from Leicester University. He is also a graduate of the Cabinet Office Leaders UK senior public service leadership programme.