A Passing Out Ceremony like no other

23 September 2026

PC Molly Middleton has spoken of the ‘special’ moment her terminally ill dad was able to watch her ‘pass out’ as a police officer - after a ceremony was held at the hospice where he was receiving end-of-life care.

For 20-year-old Molly, joining the police was something she had always wanted to do.

She applied to join West Mercia Police last year and began her training in March, driven by a simple desire to be there for people when they were at their lowest and to make a difference.

But as Molly’s Passing Out ceremony approached, her family was facing an incredibly difficult time.

 

PC Molly Middleton with her dad, Paul

 

Her dad, Paul Middleton, 61, was receiving care at St Michael’s Hospice, in Hereford, and had only days left to live.

“One of dad’s final wishes was to see me pass out as a police officer,” said Molly, who told her trainers at Hindlip what was happening.

Knowing how important it was to her and her family that Paul could see his daughter achieve her dream, trainer Mark Johnson and Chief Inspector Carrie Solomon came up with an idea.

Why not bring the passing-out ceremony to him?

Hospice

On 24 July, just days before Molly’s official passing-out ceremony on 6 August, a special ceremony was held at the hospice.

Molly’s family travelled from Hull to be there. Her certificate was presented to her, a professional photographer captured the moment and a speech was given about her achievement.

For Molly and her family, it became a special celebration, a mini passing-out ceremony created especially so her dad could be there.

“By the time the ceremony came, Dad couldn’t speak. But when the ceremony took place, he opened his eyes - I know he knew what was happening,” continued Molly.

 

PC Molly Middleton

 

“He saw the moment my certificate was presented to me.”

Paul, aged 61, had been diagnosed with bowel cancer nine years earlier. In recent years, his cancer had progressed to stage four and spread to his liver and lungs.

Despite his illness, Molly describes her dad as one of the most positive people you could ever meet.

“He was so brave and amazing. His illness would not define him,’ said Molly, who was incredibly close to her dad, and his pride in her stayed with her throughout her training.

Ceremony

Paul died shortly after the ceremony.

For Molly, knowing her dad witnessed that achievement is something she will carry with her throughout her career.

“It means the world to me. It’s hard that I can’t tell him all about the job, but he lived through my training,” said Molly, adding: “For him to see that, it meant so much to us.”

She added: “The hospice and my colleagues at West Mercia Police made those moments possible.”

Molly ended by thanking Mark Johnson and Chief Inspector Carrie Solomon for making the ceremony possible, as well as everyone at West Mercia Police.

READ MORE....stories like this in the new West Mercia Police Federation magazine.