Fed member 'honoured' to represent the Force at National Police Memorial Day

27 September 2024

A Derbyshire Police Federation member has spoken of his ‘honour’ at representing the Force as its standard bearer at the National Police Memorial Day.

PC Tim Dugard will carry the flag for the first time in Glasgow this Sunday when the police family comes together to pay tribute to officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Tim said: “I’m honoured to do it.

“It’s a privilege to represent our Force, carry our flag, and show our respect to fallen officers.

“It will be an honour to stand alongside colleagues from across the country, to pay our respects, and to show support for the families.”

Tim, who has been with the Force for 16 years and based at Long Eaton, admitted to ‘a healthy amount of nervousness’ after only being asked to carry the flag at the start of the week.

PC Tim Dugard will carry the Derbyshire Police flag at the National Police Memorial Day.

He said: “The person who was doing it, PC Mark Atterbury, unfortunately cannot do it for family reasons and has asked me to step in.

“I have done some ceremonial duties in the past, but I’ve never carried the flag before.”

The service is being held at 2pm on Sunday at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall and honours the more than 5,000 police officers who have died while on duty.

Ahead of the service, Tim is due to take part in a parade from Glasgow’s George Square to the Royal Concert Hall involving the Police Scotland and Scottish Federation Pipe Band, and standard bearers carrying force flags from across the UK.

Guard of honour

A guard of honour made up of officers from the UK and abroad will welcome the pipe band and the force standards procession.

“I’m really looking forward to the service and being able to represent the Force,” said Tim, who, ‘childcare and dog-care allowing’ is hoping to attend with his wife, Jennifer.

“There’s a healthy amount of nervousness,” he added. “I hope I don’t trip over anything on the day.

“Mark has given me a bit of a lesson and I’ll be practising on my day off.”

There will be a Police Scotland flypast above the Royal Concert Hall at 12.40pm and vintage police vehicles will be on display in George Square.

The NPMD Tribute Wall is now live for people to share their memories and messages, and will remain online until a month after the NPMD weekend.

And for those who are unable to attend, an online service featuring highlights will be posted to the NPMD website after the event.