Online memorial will ensure fallen police are never forgotten

11 May 2023

The service and sacrifice of police officers who were killed on duty will be permanently recorded in digital form for future generations.

The UK Police Memorial is creating a ‘world first’ digital remembrance portal that will hold details of the 4,500 police officers and staff who have given their lives to policing across the UK, including in many cases photos.

The public will be able to leave tributes and family and colleagues could also contribute video testimony to help ensure that the memory of each officer lives on.

The project was officially launched at the Tower of London in March and is drawing on the results of 200,000 responses to a public consultation to help shape the offer. 

The Police Roll of Honour Trust is underpinning the website using its database. Other partners include the College of Policing, Staffordshire University, Accenture and the National Memorial Arboretum.

The UK Police Memorial is creating a ‘world first’ digital remembrance portal

Simon Riley, chair of Nottinghamshire Police Federation, said: “When we lose an officer in the line of duty it is one of the most traumatic things that can happen. 

“Thankfully, such events are rare but when tragedies occur they are devastating, not only for the family and friends of that officer, but their colleagues and the wider police family.

“So, I think this is a worthwhile project and I’m delighted that the lives of fallen officers will be permanently recorded and publicly accessible for years to come. It is important that society acknowledges its debt to them and ensures they are not forgotten.”

The most popular features identified by the survey included the life stories of the fallen, with photographs, oral histories, video tributes and media coverage and the ability to pay tribute to family members, friends and colleagues.

A spokesperson said: “The digital remembrance programme will tell the personal stories of the people behind the badge who have been killed whilst policing our communities, keeping us safe and defending our freedoms.  It will celebrate lives lived. It will remember lives lost.”

Find out more about the project.