MORE than 40 Essex police officers have owned up to taking second jobs in an effort to make ends meet.

A survey by Police Review magazine of official figures held by police forces reveals 44 Essex officers have admitted topping up their incomes with other work.

Jobs range from the mundane to the obscure, with at least four entertainers or musicians on the force. The most common sector for moonlighting is education and training, with ten officers working in various posts.

Two serve part-time as armed services reservists, while three are directors, or company secretaries.

Insp Richard Baxter, of Rochford police, said he did not know of any officers who currently had second jobs.

But he added: “I know a couple of people who did have a second job but I don’t know if they continued with it. It’s usually things like gardening, because some people do shifts which are six days on and four days off.”

A constable’s starting pay in Essex is £24,039, rising to £28,731 after five years service. Sergeants’ starting pay is £33,810 and Inspectors start on £43,320.

The national figures show 4,300 officers in 29 forces have taken up extra jobs, or business and property interests, to earn extra cash..

The force with the largest number of officers with second jobs was the Metropolitian Police, with 578, followed by Thames Valley with 414, and West Yorkshire with 291.

Jobs range from a dog hydrotherapist, a grave restorer, a reiki master, a falconer, a hypnotist and a lingerie seller.

Essex Police spokesman Bill Stock said: “Second jobs are allowed as long as they are approved by senior officers and are jobs where there is no conflict of interest.”