Fed chair pays tribute to fallen officer

25 September 2020

The news that a Metropolitan Police officer was shot and killed this morning has shocked colleagues in West Mercia and across the country, says Federation branch chair Sarah Cooper.

The officer was shot by a man being detained in custody and, despite the efforts of officers and paramedics at the scene, died in hospital.

Sarah said the thoughts of everyone within the Force would go out to the officer’s family, friends and colleagues and extended condolences on behalf of the Federation.

“News of this incident has shocked us all,” says Sarah, “We are all too aware of the dangers officers face while fighting and preventing crime and trying to keep the public safe but when an officer dies in this way it is absolutely devastating for everyone in the policing family.

“Our hearts go out to the officer’s family, friends and colleagues and we will keep them in our thoughts.

“As a Federation, we are here for any officer who is particularly affected by this incident and we would urge officers to get in touch with us if they feel they need support or just someone to talk to about this.”

National Federation chair John Apter has also expressed his shock at the incident.

He said: “Policing is a family and when we lose one of our own in such a devastating way it affects us all. The dangers police officers face every day are very real and, sadly, as we have seen, can result in officers making the ultimate sacrifice. 

“There will now be an investigation and therefore it would be wrong to say any more at this time or to speculate, other than to say that our hearts are with the family of our officer who has been killed and all involved in this horrific incident.”