Police Memorial Day is as poignant and emotional as ever

26 September 2024

Gwent Police Federation chair Matthew Candy has spoken about the importance of this weekend’s National Police Memorial Day (NPMD).

Matthew will be attending the service with branch secretary Dean Lanfear to honour the lives of more than 5,000 officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice while on duty.

This year’s NPMD takes place in Glasgow with a service at the city’s Royal Concert Hall starting at 2pm.

Matthew said: “It will be an honour for Dean and for me to represent the Federation and our members at the service.

“As police officers we’re always so busy, so it’s really important that we are able to take some time to reflect and remember those who have died in the line of duty.

Fallen officers

“It’s always a poignant and emotional occasion with family, friends, and colleagues of fallen officers also attending and it’s a chance to show our support for them.”

Ahead of the service, there will be 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.

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

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.