ESSEX Police denied claims experienced officers will be forced out in favour of cheaper alternatives.
 

Sources close to the force have claimed focus is switching to the cost of an officer rather than their quality and experience.
 

And with officers facing the threat of compulsory redundancies for the first time those with years of service are worried.
 

One, who asked not to be named, said: “If they are only interested in numbers and can employ three new starters for the cost of two experienced officers the fear is they will do so.”
 

A spokesman for Essex Police denied regulations allowing officers to be forcibly retired after 30 years of service will be used “for large scale reductions in policing numbers”.

But the force has cut back on what are known as 30 plus contracts which are for officers who have retired after 30 years and then rejoined on temporary contracts.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "The Chief Constable has no current plans to invoke Regulation A19 for the purpose of large scale reductions in policing numbers in Essex.

"Technically this regulation can be used as the lawful means to bring to an end the service of a very small number of officers who are completing their time on the 30 plus schemes that are still in operation.

"Essex Police are currently recruiting police officers and whilst the full implications of the Governments recent comprehensive spending review are being considered we do not feel it necessary to stop or to slow down our plans which enjoy the support of the Police and Crime Commissioner.”

Mark Smith, chairman of the Essex Police Federation, explained: “These are not being renewed but it is very different to forcing retirement which Essex Police has tried to avoid doing.
 

“But the real concern is the national discussion about compulsory redundancy.
 

“Compulsory redundancies are in arbitration at the moment and officers are waking up to the fact they could be introduced.
 

“We are obviously against this and our worry is officers could serve 29 years and then be made redundant and miss out on their 30 year package.”
 

Previously police officers were exempt from redundancy in exchange for giving up other employment rights.