Federation welcomes PCCs’ backing for Elizabeth Medal

27 September 2022

A Federation-backed campaign to see police officers who are killed on duty awarded with a posthumous medal has taken an important step forward.

This week, 26 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) put their name to a letter calling on Home Secretary Suella Braverman to approve the Elizabeth Medal for fallen police officers. 

This would be similar to the Elizabeth Cross which is awarded to members of the British Armed Forces lost in conflict, and a fitting legacy for her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, says Nottinghamshire Police Federation.

Chair Simon Riley explained: “It is good to see the PCCs supporting this campaign alongside the Police Federation and the Police Superintendents’ Association. 

“Queen Elizabeth exemplified public service and it seems right that a medal in her memory should be given to police officers who make the ultimate sacrifice.”

The campaign was started by Bryn Hughes and Paul Bone, fathers of PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone, who were tragically murdered while serving Greater Manchester Police a decade ago.

Bryn is a former prison officer who campaigned to establish the dedicated UK Police Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. He also runs the PC Nicola Hughes Memorial Fund to help children whose parents have been murdered.

Speaking about the Elizabeth Medal, he said: “For the likes of me and other family members, it’d be a nice feeling to attend certain remembrance services wearing that medal in their memory and their honour.”