A PAIR of new volunteer police officers have been sworn in and are ready to keep Colchester safe.

Henry Ighoyivwi and Alexander Lee took part in a socially distanced attestation at Essex Police Headquarters along with seven others who are set to be posted in different towns across the county.

Dad-of-two, Mr Ighoyivwi will combine his role as a doctor to volunteer as a special constable while Mr Lee’s day job is at a car park storage company in Dunmow.

Mr Ighoyivwi, 37 said he has taken on his new role as another way of helping people.

He said: “I wanted to help in any way possible and I feel like I’m able to truly contribute by becoming a special constable.

“Be it reducing crime to helping a vulnerable person in the community, I hope I can make a difference.”

Mr Lee, 27, said that he had learned a lot just from his training.

“I wanted to experience policing and becoming a special constable has made this possible,” he said.

“I’ve really enjoyed the experience so far and I’ve made lots of new friends and learnt new skills.”

Another new recruit, community special constable Christal Champkin will patrol Dedham as part of a partnership between Essex Police and Dedham Parish Council.

At the ceremony, which was specially adapted because of coronavirus, they were congratulated remotely by guests Assistant Chief Constable Andy Prophet, justice of the peace Beverley Purvis and the deputy police, fire and crime commissioner Jane Gardner.

Friends and families are usually invited to what is typically a very proud moment, but Essex Police had arranged for videos to be sent to their loved ones.

Superintendent Cat Barrie, who heads the special constabulary in Essex, said she was proud of the volunteers whose training coincided with the lockdown.

She said: “I am delighted to welcome an additional nine officers to the frontline who will take up posts across all our local policing areas.

“In addition, one officer will become the Dedham Community Special Constable once post foundation training has been completed.

“The officers have had to be flexible during their training which occurred during lockdown.

“However their flexibility, perseverance and determination has meant that they have completed all sections successfully and they are eager to start operational duties.

“I want to thank these officers and the trainers for making this happen.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said they were always looking for fresh volunteers.

He said: “We want to thank all of our special constables that volunteer their time to give back to the community, making a difference through helping people, keeping people safe and catching criminals.

“If you would like to learn new skills, gain more confidence and make a positive change to your community, apply to become a Special Constable and join our growing team go to essex.police.uk/specials.”