CHANGES to Essex Police will see a boost of 500 beat officers into towns and villages to tackle anti-social behaviour and round the clock response to local crime.
The extra officers will come from reductions to firearms, roads policing and public order areas.
The district commanders will each have a local policing hub, led by an inspector, to co-ordinate the work of neighbourhood officers, PCSOs, the special constabulary and other local policing staff with community safety partners.
"Together with the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Officer team I have decided to align 500 more officers to local policing. I believe the public of Essex want policing delivered locally.
"For me it is about locally based, locally accountable, locally led officers, police community support officers and staff delivering across a range of response, investigation and engagement responsibilities," said Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh.
"I have to think carefully about how resources are balanced across the county. I also have to ensure that, operating within a reduced budget, we continue to deliver effective policing to all our communities.
"I recognise the value of effective local policing and community engagement and through the summer will be consulting with local communities.
"This will explore the right structure and frequency for local police, partner and community meetings as I want to ensure they are working as well as they can.
"It is clear that the existing structure works well in some areas, and less well in other parts of the county.
"My plans make clear the commitment to keep local people informed and involved in a way that is sustainable for the future."
The changes are due to come in to effect on September 1 and there will be a recruitment drive to bring new constables into the force on Tuesday, May 20.
In the past 12 months, Mr Kavanagh has overseen £42 million of cuts, resulting in the loss of 388 officers, 100 Police Community Support Officers and 600 support staff.
The force will also have to find a further £27.4 million of savings by April 2017 to offset the reduced funding from central government.
Unison has warned that there has been a 28 per cent drop in the number of PCSOs patrolling the streets of Essex.
These changes to Essex Police will see around £3million a year in savings for the force and would see the removal of around 60 officers in specialist units to be redeployed elsewhere.
