Branch chair welcomes Elizabeth Emblem news

26 March 2024

The sacrifice of fallen officers must never be forgotten, says Northamptonshire Police Federation chair Sam Dobbs as he welcomed the introduction of the new Elizabeth Emblem.

Named after the late Queen, the Emblem is a formal national recognition of public sector workers who die in service.

It will be given posthumously to the families of police officers and other public servants who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

The announcement of the new Elizabeth Emblem follows a campaign by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) along with the Police Superintendents’ Association and the Prison Officers Association.

Sam said: “We’re delighted that the Medals for Heroes campaign has achieved what it set out to do, and that’s to get formal state recognition of police officers and public servants who are killed on duty.

“Every day our members put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public and when the unthinkable happens it’s absolutely right they should be honoured.

“And while the Elizabeth Emblem can’t bring back their loved ones, I hope that it will provide some comfort to the families of fallen officers and public servants.

“Their sacrifice must never be forgotten.”

Sam paid tribute to the campaigning work of Bryn Hughes MBE. Bryn has helped lead the Medals for Heroes campaign, after his daughter, Great Manchester PC Nicola Hughes was killed while on duty in 2012. Nicola and fellow PC Fiona Bone were tragically murdered while responding to a report of a burglary.

Sam said: “Bryn has worked tirelessly on the campaign, and he should be rightly proud of his achievement in making the Elizabeth Emblem a reality.”

Bryn said: “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.”

John Partington, PFEW national board member and Medals for Heroes campaign lead, said: “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.

“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.”

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