'Honoured' chair attends first National Police Memorial Day

1 October 2024

Branch chair Keith Chambers said it was an ‘honour’ to represent Derbyshire Police Federation at this year’s National Police Memorial Day (NPMD).

Keith, who attended the event for the first time since his appointment as chair, said the day was full of emotion as the policing family came together to pay its respects and remember officers who have died in the line of duty.

He was joined by Derbyshire Police Deputy Chief Constable Simon Blatchly, and they gathered alongside fellow representatives of the Police Federation of England and Wales, police chiefs, senior politicians, religious leaders and families of fallen officers.

The service was held at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall on Sunday.

Standard bearer PC Tim Dugard (left) and branch chair Keith Chambers.

Keith said: “It was a real honour to be able to represent Derbyshire Police Federation as we remembered and recognised those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

“It was a really moving and powerful occasion, full of emotion, colour, and laughs as well.

“I hope the families of fallen officers can take comfort from the service, and from the love and support of the policing family.

Always remembered

“We will always remember them.”

Now, in its 21st year, NPMD has honoured the lives of more than 5,000 officers who have died while on duty in the past 180 years.

Representing the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) was acting national chair Tiff Lynch.

She was joined by the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, policing minister Dame Diana Johnson and Angela Constance, the cabinet secretary for justice and home affairs.

The service opened with a processional march, which included flag bearers from a number of forces from across England and Wales. This was followed by music from the Police Scotland and Scottish Federation Pipe Band.

Derbyshire Police Deputy Chief Constable Simon Blatchly and
branch chair Keith Chambers.

The Reverend Matt Hopley, the National Police Chaplain, opened the service.

The First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, then welcomed the congregation, saying it was a ‘huge privilege’ for Scotland to be hosting such an event.

A reading was then shared by Khaldoun Kabbani, vice president of the National Associations of Muslim Police and the secretary general of the Scottish Police Muslim Association.

Ms Cooper and Ms Constance also gave a reading. In a snippet from John 15: 12-17, from the Bible, Ms Cooper said: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Ms Constance read a powerful poem titled ‘Grief Told Me Its Name’, which begins: “I sat with my grief and it told me its name; It said, “I am love, just turned into pain”’. The verse ended with: “Grief then said, “They are still with you, although their body you can’t see; their love never left you. Please believe me.”’

Each year, relatives representing Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales light a candle to commemorate police lives lost in each of the four nations.

Tribute

This year, lighting the candle for Scotland was Margaret Collins, mother, and Helen Cruddis, sister of Police Constable Anthony (Tony) Collins, 43 years, Police Service of Scotland, who died on 29 November 2013 when a police helicopter crashed into the roof of the Clutha bar in Glasgow.

Representing England was Luke Ratana, son of Police Sergeant Matiu (Matt) Ratana, 54 years, Metropolitan Police, who died on 25 September 2020 after being fatally shot in Croydon Custody Centre. Luke is a serving police officer in Australia.

For Northern Ireland, Jill Davidson, the wife of Detective Superintendent Philip Davidson, 45 years, of Royal Ulster Constabulary GC, who died on 2 June 1994 when an RAF Chinook helicopter crashed on the Mull of Kintyre.

For Wales, Rob Jones, brother, and Chris Milne-Jones, sister of Police Constable Ralph Jones, 34 years, North Wales Police, who died on 13 July 1999 as the result of a road traffic incident while on a training course.

The names of officers who have died in the last 12 months were then read, with a tribute shown on the screen at the front.

This year’s Roll of Honour included:

Sergeant Paul Frear, West Midlands Police

Sergeant Graham Saville, Nottinghamshire Police

Police Constable Jack Cummings, West Yorkshire Police

Sergeant Reece Buckenham, Hertfordshire Constabulary

The congregation stood during The Last Post, while silence was kept as green and blue petals fell in remembrance of lives lost.

Recessional Music was played by the Police Scotland and Scottish Police Federation Pipe Band to mark the end of the service.

Ahead of the service, a parade - led by the pipe band - made its way to the Royal Concert Hall from Glasgow’s George Square before a Police Scotland flypast took place.

There is an online tribute wall that loved ones can post on. This can be accessed here and will remain active for 30 days following this year’s memorial weekend.

For those who are unable to attend, an online service featuring highlights will be posted to the NPMD website.

Next year’s National Police Memorial Day will be held on 28 September at Coventry Cathedral.