National chair calls for new award for officers killed in the line of duty

16 May 2022

The chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) is urging the Home Secretary to create a new posthumous award for emergency services workers who die in the line of duty.

Steve Hartshorn, speaking during an appearance on national television, said he’ll use the Federation’s annual national conference to call on Priti Patel to introduce a medal to honour emergency personnel, including police officers, who make the ultimate sacrifice.

The Federation is backing the campaign for the creation of an Elizabeth Medal to reflect their dedication, commitment and sacrifice.

Campaigners envisage the award will be similar to the Elizabeth Cross, which is awarded to the bereaved relatives of members of the British Armed Forces killed in action.

It’s also supported by Bryn Hughes, the father of Nicola Hughes who was murdered with her colleague PC Fiona Bone in 2012 during a gun and grenade attack in Greater Manchester.

Steve and Bryn appeared on GB News on Saturday and spoke to presenters and MPs Esther McVey and Philip Davies about the campaign.

Steve said: “The Federation is supporting the great work that Bryn has started in recognising the brave acts our colleagues in the emergency services.

“In particular for me, our police officer colleagues across the country and getting them some formal recognition when they pay the ultimate sacrifice when they’re protecting the public.

“That will be an ask of me for the Home Secretary and the wider Government to recognise those brave acts they do daily.

“It will be an impassioned plea for those events that sadly lead to the loss of life, to be posthumously awarded.

“It’s hopefully what we’re going to be calling an Elizabeth Medal, to be presented to the families of those who have tragically lost their lives.”

Bryn, a former prison officer, played a leading part in the campaign to establish the UK Police Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, which commemorates the 5,000 police officers who have died in the line of duty over the years. He also runs the PC Nicola Hughes Memorial Fund to help children whose parents have been murdered.

He told GB News: “There needs to be some formal recognition of the sacrifice they made.

“They went out to work to protect the public, serving the public, which resulted in their loss of life. That needs to be recognised for the families that are left behind.

“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.”