Prince Charles attends unveiling of police memorial

29 July 2021

A memorial dedicated to police officers who have lost their lives while on duty was unveiled at a ceremony attended by HRH The Prince of Wales yesterday.

The UK Police Memorial, which is located at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, honours those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while on duty protecting their communities.

Suffolk Police Federation chair Darren Harris attended the ceremony with the family of Suffolk DC Clive Barratt who died at the age of 35 when he was involved in a motorcycle accident while on surveillance duty on 28 July 1999 with the event coinciding with the anniversary of his death.

His widow, Rachel, and son, Oliver, were also joined by student officer PC Samantha Croft, who was the standard bearer for the Force, while other guests including the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Home Secretary Priti Patel, civic dignitaries, representatives from all forces across the country, policing charities and the families and friends of other fallen officers.

“The event was very poignant. Both Rachel and Oliver had a good day and thought the ceremony was balanced in terms of the remembrance and celebration. They both felt honoured to have been invited and to be there at the dedication on the 22^nd anniversary of Clive’s death.

“The weather was poor until mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins started to sing ‘I Vow To Thee My Country’. Then the sun came out and it warmed up nicely into good weather to make the day.

“I am pleased that we now have a national memorial so that families, friends and colleagues have a place that they can go to and remember their loved one. It is  fitting that the memorial offers a calm and peaceful environment and hopefully it will be more than just a memorial but also a place to spend time to gather one’s thoughts and be prepared for whatever the next duty will bring.”

The £4.5 million memorial, which follows seven years of fund-raising and 12 months of building work, was designed by Walter Jack Studio.

The 12-foot tall sculpture is designed to look like a slightly ajar door, said to signify officers going into the unknown during their line of work on a daily basis.

Sir Hugh Orde, chair of The Police Arboretum Memorial Trust, explained that it is decorated with cut-out leaves, which represent the lives of the heroic officers lost. 

Addressing an audience of 400, as well as those who were watching live from home, Prince Charles said: “I am so pleased and proud to be able to join you today. This memorial recognises the unique contribution British police gives to the country and in fact, the world. I pray this memorial will provide a place to pay tribute and provide reassurance that those who have given their lives will leave a lasting legacy and will never be forgotten.”

He expressed his “profound gratitude” to “those who have laid down their lives” to protect the public and paid tribute to “those who continue to serve” today.

John Apter, national chair of the Police Federation, laid a wreath during the service and said afterwards: “It’s really important the memorial - along with other memorials across the country – is recognised for what it is intended. That is to remember the supreme sacrifices colleagues have made over a great many years.

“This memorial will be especially important to colleagues and ensure friends and colleagues will always be remembered – they will never be forgotten.”

The National Police Air Service (NPAS) paid tribute to fallen officers by taking part in a fly past during the ceremony and “bowing” in front of the sculpture. 

The British Police Symphony Orchestra also performed with Ms Jenkins closing the ceremony with the National Anthem. 

The event comes two months before this year’s annual National Police Memorial Day, which will be taking place on Sunday 26 September, and days before the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) memorial service on Sunday (2 August).