A NUMBER of new recruits successfully ‘passed out’ as Police Constables during a special ceremony in Chelmsford.

35 recruits were welcomed into the police force by Deputy Chief Constable BJ Harrington, Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex Jane Gardner and Magistrate Wendy Black, South Bench Chair on Friday afternoon.

The officers, , which were split into Intake A1 and Intake A2, have been training for 18 weeks to become Police Constables.

The new officers pledged to serve the residents of Essex and were welcomed to the force in front of friends and family.

Mr Harrington thanked the officers for all their hard work during their training and wished them well in their future as Pcs.

He said: “As you all pass out today, remember that as much as you stand on the shoulders of giants, “The path you set is set by you with your decisions and your choices.

”You have in front of you a career that could take you anywhere but wherever you go, whether you specialise as a firearms officer, dog handler or whether you choose to stay in local and community policing, each choice you make is valuable.

“Take with you the training you’ve been given by the Essex Police College as your foundation.”

As part of the recruitment process the students held several fundraising events which raised nearly £3,000 for, Essex SOBS, Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide.

Recruits from the A1 intake took on the doughnut dash which saw them running 5km in total and stopping to eat a doughnut after each km and others cycled over 60km from Clacton police station to Police HQ in Chelmsford.

Members of the A2 intake completed an indoor Ben Nevis climbing challenge raising £3,220 for, SNAP, that helps parents and carers of children with special needs and disabilities as well as taking on the 5k muddy Nuclear Races run.

Special recognition went to PC Kevin Ball as he was awarded the Kirste Snellgrove student officer award for demonstrating core values of expected of a Police Constable.

The award was created in 2012 in honour of training Sergeant Snellgrove, who sadly died following a long fight against cancer.