Added poignancy for memorial day

23 September 2022

West Midlands Police Federation chair Rich Cooke says this Sunday’s National Police Memorial Day will take on added poignancy as people come together to pay their respect to fallen officers.

Rich said that the service, which takes place at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast at 2pm on Sunday (25 September), will take on added significance coming so soon after the Queen’s funeral.

“On appointment, police officers in England and Wales swear an allegiance to the monarch,” said Rich, who will represent the Federation branch at the service along with workplace representative Rod Rose.

“This year’s National Police Memorial Day is the first service since the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III, who as Prince of Wales was patron of the Memorial Day charity, so it will take on added poignancy for everyone.”

An online tribute wall has been set up for people to add their own messages remembering fallen colleagues.

The impact of the pandemic means it’s the first time in two years that everyone will be able to attend in person to pay their respects.

It was held online only in 2020, and at Lincoln Cathedral last year with restricted numbers of guests because of Covid-19 measures.

Rich added: “It’s great that after the disruption caused by the pandemic, we’re able to come together to pay our respects to those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to show our support for their families and loved ones.

“The tribute wall is a chance for those officers who aren’t able to attend to commemorate fallen colleagues and to pay tribute to their memory.”

National Police Memorial Day was first held in 2004 and has been held at the end of September each year since. It rotates around England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.