Elizabeth Emblem will recognise fallen officers

11 March 2024

The families of police officers who die in service will now be awarded an Elizabeth Emblem recognising their sacrifice.

The emblem has been conferred by the King and will incorporate a rosemary wreath, traditionally symbolising remembrance, surrounding the Tudor Crown. It will also be available to commemorate firefighters and other public service workers.

The next of kin of fallen officers can apply for the emblem via gov.uk. Nominations will be reviewed by the George Cross Committee and recommendations then made to His Majesty The King via the Prime Minister. 

Recipients of The Elizabeth Emblem will receive their award from a senior representative such as a Chief Constable, chief fire officer or a Lord Lieutenant. 

Tiff Lynch, national deputy chair of the Police Federation, and Bryn Hughes were interviewed on BBC News.

Tony Wetton, chair of Derbyshire Police Federation, has welcomed the announcement of this formal State recognition.

“The Police Federation of England and Wales has worked very closely with Bryn Hughes, whose daughter PC Nicola Hughes was murdered on duty in Manchester in September 2012, in campaigning for a posthumous award for police officers,” says Tony.

“Police officers put their lives on the line while serving their communities and all too often pay the ultimate price while doing so. It is critically important that their courage, dedication to duty and their sacrifice is properly recognised by society.

“This new emblem, named fittingly in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, is a suitable honour for our fallen colleagues and their families, and also for other public service workers and their loved ones.”

The emblem will be able to be worn by next of kin alongside any other medals or awards and will bear the words ‘For A Life Given In Service’. The emblem will also carry the name of the individual it commemorates.

The Federation National Board member and Medals for Heroes lead John Partington said: “We’ve waited for this announcement for a number of years. We launched the Medals for Heroes campaign two years ago and this itself was built upon campaigning that we worked on two years before that so I’m delighted by the news the work we have done has helped towards the emblem’s introduction.”

He added: “I’d especially like to thank all of those who have contributed to our call for formal State recognition. Many colleagues have worked with us on this and I’d like to especially thank the other board members and branch chairs who have added their local backing on behalf of the membership.”

Bryn commented: “Nicola and Fiona went to work that day wearing the Crown and they lost their lives while responding to what they thought was a call for help from a member of the public. 

“To receive this news that their sacrifice is to be formally recognised by the Crown and State is overwhelming. I meet with many other families of fallen officers and I’m sure many of those, too, will be thankful for this formal recognition.”

Chris Philp, the policing minister, has also welcomed the new award. He said: “We owe so much to our public servants who make sacrifices every day to keep us safe. The Elizabeth Emblem will recognise those who tragically lost their lives in public service and rightly enshrine them in our country’s history so that their sacrifices are never forgotten.”