Sworn to Serve

Essex was one of the first counties to establish a full-time police force, in 1840. Today’s highly-trained officers are part of a proud tradition in a county that was in the forefront of the move towards setting up professional police forces. Captain John McHardy, its innovative first Chief Constable, provided advice and trained manpower for other forces all over Britain. The author, who served as an inspector, has concentrated on the work of ordinary police officers, identifying many by name, from varied sources, local newspapers and personal recollections.