Have you ever wondered what the average shift looks like for the officers responsible for policing the streets of Essex?

Well we spent the day with the county's force to find out exactly what happens on a typical shift. It wasn't all paperwork as you might believe - in fact, we didn't come back to the station once.

It was an early 6am start and we were at the station eagerly anticipating what the shift might bring. We had no idea what was in store over the next eight hours.

Here Essex Live's Danielle Elton tells of her nervous excitement over what was about to unfold.

Out on patrol

I went out on patrol with PC Gammans and PC Rowley
I went out on patrol with PC Gammans and PC Rowley

Fresh from their briefing, I joined PC Adam Gammans and PC Charlotte Rowley as we set out in Victor One - my first time in the back of a police car.

While on response and waiting for any calls that might come in, we patrolled areas around Chelmsford known for drug dealing and 'county lines' activity.

It was early so as expected, it was pretty quiet. But for the people who think the police are never anywhere to be seen, that certainly isn't the case, as I found out.

A good chunk of our shift was spent patrolling areas known for a high crime rate, something that surprised me.

Charlotte said: "We are always about."

Drug dealing by a school

We patrolled areas known for lots of drug dealing activity
We patrolled areas known for lots of drug dealing activity

We also patrolled on foot to an area known for drug dealing, shockingly right next to a school and a playground.

Adam told me how he'd previously found needles near that park whilst out patrolling - demonstrating to me just how important this part of the job really is.

Driving along whilst out on patrol, all of a sudden Adam has spotted a car he thinks they're looking out for.


We follow it whilst Charlotte uses her force-issued mobile to do a Police National Computer (PNC) check. Although not the one, the plate was very similar.

The officers have the power to stop any driver they have suspicions about and after they found that this driver was in order, Adam used the opportunity to gather intelligence about the local area.

This was the first of a few cars that we pulled over during my shift. Another which caught Adam’s attention turned out to live on the same street as a recent kidnap.

Again, the driver checked out okay after being stopped and Adam had a chat with him about the kidnap and if there was anything he may have seen or heard that could help the investigating officers.

Drink driving and a missing child

A car had broken down on top of a mini roundabout
A car had broken down on top of a mini roundabout

After a good few hours out on the road, we decide to stop for a coffee but before we've had a chance to place our order, a call comes through about a possible drink driver.

The person who has called it in gave the number plate to the police so we abandon our coffee break and head to the address listed. We find the car parked outside.

I'm told that if the driver opens the door, we have the power to breath test him but there was no answer.

Finally we get time to order a coffee and then we are back out on the road again.

During this time, we were blue lighted to a few incidents – an obstruction on the A12 and a missing child. Other units were dispatched to the incidents and arrived while we were en route.

We also got called to a broken down car in Danbury which the officers kindly helped push to safety.

Cocaine by a climbing frame

PC Gammans found drugs in a children's play area
PC Gammans found drugs in a children's play area

Probably the most shocking thing that I witnessed was the discovery of what was believed to be cocaine found in a playground.

We were patrolling an area where there had been a recent stabbing and as we were walking along, Adam spotted a bag hanging on a climbing frame.


He searched the bag and found what looked like remnants of cocaine along with a crack pipe, driving licence and perfume.

Just two minutes after picking this bag up, two young children were playing in that area. Had he not of spotted the bag, the outcome could have been very different.

A constant juggling act

The shift started at 6am with a briefing
The shift started at 6am with a briefing

Between our time patrolling and responding to emergencies, we also went to collect some CCTV from a building site - an incident Charlotte was investigating.

Crimes that aren't considered emergencies are reported to Essex Police's Crime Bureau. Every month, each officer will be given around 10 incidents that they have to investigate alongside their other duties. It's a constant juggling act.


Adam said: "I don’t think the public realise we have our own workloads on top of responding to emergencies."

Charlotte added: "Emergencies on the radio will always take precedence over your workload."

Giving chase

PC Gammans stopped a few drivers to ask for intelligence on the area

I felt disappointed that the shift was coming to an end but just as we were making our way back, Adam and Charlotte recognised two lads on bikes and pulled up alongside them. On doing this, the lads made off.

Adam was quick to jump out of the car and chase them down the street. He's quick, not surprising for someone that used to be in the army.

In his haste, I've been locked in the car which keeps setting the alarm off - much to the amusement of some local builders.

One of the boys was searched and found to have a cannabis grinder but no actual drugs on him. He was free to go but will no doubt be on the officers' radar when they're next out patrolling.

Using their local knowledge

PC Gammans usually does about 100 miles per shift
PC Gammans usually does about 100 miles per shift

While responding to emergencies and picking up CCTV, the officers were able to use their local knowledge to focus their patrols.

I noticed that both officers knew all the road names of potential drug dealing areas and I was impressed at how many areas they covered during our shift.

Another thing I noticed was that their police instinct is always switched on.

One minute we're patrolling whilst they fill me in about some of their past jobs and then before I know it, Adam had swung the car around and we're off in another direction - they've spotted someone they think is up to no good - something I was oblivious to.


I was also shocked to discover the amount of vehicles that don't move over for the police when they have their sirens going.

On sharing my disbelief, Charlotte told me this is something that happens regularly. She said: "That's another battle we fight."

Although a fairly quiet shift in comparison to some of the tales they told me, I think it's fair to say that a typical day doesn't exist within Essex Police.

One minute you're on patrol and before you know it, you're being blue-lighted to an emergency incident. It was definitely an eye-opening experience.

How can I find out more?

If you're wanting a career where no two days are ever the same, Essex Police could be for you.

Essex Police currently has more than 3,000 police officers and 520 volunteer police officers. It will be recruiting more than 200 officers over the coming months.

To search for jobs available at Essex Police or for more information about becoming a police officer, visit the website here to find out more.