COPS service brings families of fallen officers together

3 August 2021

Suffolk Police Federation chair Darren Harris has praised the work of the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) charity after a memorial service for fallen officers at the National Memorial Arboretum yesterday.

Darren, who was at the Staffordshire site last week for the unveiling of the UK Police Memorial, also praised the teams of cyclists from forces across the country who took part in the Police Unity Tour (PUT) bike ride to raise funds for the COPS and attended the ceremony after completing their three-day challenge.

He said: “Just like the service last week, this COPS event is a moving and humbling experience. Our members put themselves in harm’s way every day and, as ceremonies like this show, some have given their lives trying to protect our communities.

“Families, friends and colleagues are left devastated when an officer dies on duty which is why the support offered by organisations such as COPS is so important.

“So we would like to thank everyone at COPS for all the work they do and for arranging this special service of remembrance and also thank all the police officers and staff members who took part in the PUT ride to raise money for a cause that is so close to our hearts.”

The outdoor memorial ceremony featured moving readings and poetry from relatives of fallen officers with music provided by the West Midlands Police Band.

A roll of honour featuring the names of the 27 officers who have lost their lives, including those who died of Covid, since the last memorial service in 2019 was read out and wreaths were laid by the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire Ian Dudson and representatives from the Home Office, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, HMICFRS, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Blue Knights, PUT, COPS and the National Memorial Arboretum.

The closing address was delivered by the chair of the COPS board of trustees, Sir Peter Fahy, who paid tribute to the family and friends of fallen colleagues.

He told the service: “Every time I talk to a survivor, you lift me, you inspire me with your courage, with your bravery and with your openness and the way you support each other because that is what this charity is all about.

“You have heard so very, very powerfully about how important that is.

“It is so challenging to be a police officer or a member of the police staff and we have seen that particularly over the past two years.

“It has never felt really that policing has been so unappreciated and so misunderstood with police officers and police staff under such pressure.

“And, of course, our roll of honour only reflects those officers and staff who have died over the last two years but COPS is very much about continuing the memory for many years past and we all know that time isn’t a great healer, it just piles up the family events, the birthdays, the occasions where that loved one is missing.

“Policing asks so much of the people who step forward to serve. Officers and staff take so many risks and all the time they carry the pressures of what they have seen and what they have had to deal with - much of it not noticed by the public and not appreciated - often dealing with very traumatic and upsetting incidents.

“Whatever might be the circumstances in which an officer or member of staff dies, they are carrying those pressures and it is so very, very important that this sacrifice and the sacrifice of their loved ones and families are recognised in this way.

“We in COPS will never forget that and none of the survivors will ever forget that as we move forward, as we grow and as we continue to support one another.”