Fed members ready to remember fallen officers ahead of 2024 Police Unity Tour

3 July 2024

Derbyshire Police Federation members are gearing up for the annual Police Unity Tour next month in the memory of policing colleagues who have lost their lives on while on duty.

Seven Derbyshire Constabulary staff will participate in the 180-mile bike ride from Friday, July 26, to Sunday, July 28. They aim to raise funds and awareness for the charity Care of Police Survivors (COPS), which provides care and support for the bereaved families of police officers who have passed away.

The Tour has been held for each of the last 12 years in support of COPS and is completed by officers from across the country.

Team Derbyshire is taking part after previous successful rides and is doing so in partnership with neighbouring forces Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and Lincolnshire, the latter of whom are entering for the first time.

Detective Constable Emma Corby says she is riding for a much-loved colleague who died two years ago.

Detective Constable Emma Corby, who will be taking part in
this year's Police Unity Tour.

“Losing a fellow officer in our department reminded me that tomorrow is never promised to any of us,” said Emma. “We spend so much time at work, colleagues become friends, and some even friends of the family, and the way COPS acknowledges this with their support of families proves that policing is never just a ‘job’.

“I feel grateful and excited to be representing Derbyshire in the Police Unity Tour, and I will be holding my colleague and friend close to my heart, especially when those miles get tough.”

Arboretum

Traditionally, the Tour concludes at the National Memorial Arboretum in Lichfield, Staffordshire, to coincide with COPS’ Annual Service of Remembrance. The memorial park is a national site of remembrance and provides officers a chance to pay their respects to fallen colleagues at the end of their ride.

After attending last year’s service at the Arboretum in support of participating friends, Assistant Chief Constable Michelle Shooter has been inspired to join the bike ride herself this time around.

Michelle said: “Last year was incredibly emotional to witness – what an event and what a sight it was seeing all those figures from policing around the UK in one place. It’s made me want to get involved and do the Tour myself.

“I know the ride won’t be easy, but I have been assured it is not a race, only a time for people of all ages and abilities to come together, side-by-side, in remembrance of those we have lost. It that sense of being part of a team for the same brilliant cause that I hope will see me through.”

COPS was founded in 2003 by the late Jim McNulty, a detective from Strathclyde Police, and Christine Fulton MBE, whose police officer husband died on duty in 1994. After losing a friend who worked as a police lieutenant in the US, Jim was moved by a national memorial service in Washington DC and subsequently began efforts to hold a similar event in the UK.

The charity cares for survivor relatives in a variety of ways, including by bringing them together with other grieving families through peer support opportunities and by offering access to counselling and specialist bereavement services.

Another member of Derbyshire’s upcoming Unity Tour team has paid tribute to the charity’s continuous work.

Raising funds

Detective Constable Graham Barrett said: “COPS provide a network between families of police officers who have died on duty, which is so important in such lonely and painful times. They are ensuring that the Police is one big family and no officer will ever be forgotten, nor will their loved ones. If you can, please donate to this charity, as you never know who will next be needing their support.”

Detective Sergeant Simon Swanborough, who first took part in the Tour last year, added it is ‘180 miles of determination’ where ‘each pedal stroke’ is made in memory of colleagues who have passed.

Other Derbyshire officers set to complete the ride are Detective Constable Andy MacAlister and Detective Inspector Maria Pleace. Ahead of this, the team are hosting a static spin bike ride on Monday 22 July to raise funds for COPS. The event will take place in the atrium area of Derbyshire Police HQ and will also feature a samosa and cake sale, with all staff welcome to attend.

The officers will depart from HQ at 9am on 26 July and have encouraged staff to wave them off as they embark on day one of the Tour.

Federation members can also show their support by visiting and donating to the team’s JustGivingPage. READ MORE: Response officers are the 'backbone of policing'.