Police Unity Tour: Highlight of policing year around the corner

23 July 2024

Derbyshire Police Federation members are preparing for one of the key dates in the policing calendar as they near the 2024 Police Unity Tour (PUT).

Participants will depart on a 180-mile bike ride from Force Headquarters on Friday (26 July) ready to honour officers who have died in the line of duty.

Their journey will conclude on Sunday (28 July) at the National Memorial Arboretum in Lichfield, Staffordshire, where an annual service of remembrance will be hosted by the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) charity.

COPS provides care and support for the families of fallen officers, with funds raised in association with the tour going towards the charity’s mission.

Team Derbyshire is participating alongside neighbouring forces Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and Lincolnshire, the latter of which is entering for the first time, as part of the East Midlands Chapter of the PUT.

Each cyclist will be sporting a wristband inscribed with the name of a fallen officer, which is traditionally presented to their family at the end of the ride.

Inspired

The cyclists plan to move past the physically demanding stages of their journey by holding the memory of these officers close to their hearts.

Many are returning to the saddle for a second time after making their tour debuts last year, like DC Andy MacAlister, DS Simon Swanborough and DI Maria Pleace. Assistant Chief Constable Michelle Shooter is riding for the first time after being inspired by other officers at 2023’s remembrance service.

Other entrants include DCs Emma Corby and Graham Barrett.

The PUT medal.

The PUT began in 1997 and has been held for each for the last 12 years. Support for COPS has been a constant through this time, with the charity caring 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.

Derbyshire Federation secretary Kirsty Bunn has paid tribute to the power of the annual ride.

“There is always a lot of enthusiasm about the tour and this year has been no different. It’s a great opportunity for police officers to come together and complete a sporting feat while honouring members of the police family we have sadly lost," she said.

Emotional

“It is so important to remember colleagues who have sacrificed their lives for the Force. We will never forget them. The remembrance service on Sunday is very emotional and incredibly moving and provides the perfect opportunity for respects to be paid.

“To raise funds and awareness for COPS to vital, too, so they can continue to do their invaluable work for the loved ones of fallen officers.

“I would like to wish all of our riders the best of luck.”

The team organised a cake sale and static bike ride yesterday (Monday 22 July), raising an extra £700 for the charity.

The riders will leave Force HQ at 9am on Friday and have encouraged staff to wave them off as they embark on Day 1 of their journey.