MPs voice support for Elizabeth Medal for fallen officers

12 January 2023

Tiff Lynch, national deputy chair at the Police Federation, with Bryn Hughes MBE.

West Midlands Police Federation secretary Tim Rogers hopes a new posthumous award to honour fallen officers is one step closer after gaining the backing of a number of MPs.

The Federation is supporting the campaign for recognition for police officers and other emergency service workers who make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

The award would be called the Elizabeth Medal and would be similar to the Elizabeth Cross, which is awarded to the bereaved relatives of members of the British armed forces killed in action.

Cross-party MPs held a backbench debate in Parliament, secured by Wendy Chamberlain,  the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Work and Pensions, and Chief Whip.

Tim, who is a member of the national Police Federation’s Parliamentary Working Group, said: “The debate and the support of a number of our parliamentarians for the Elizabeth Medal is most welcome.

“The campaign is really starting to gain traction so to have it acknowledged and debated in Westminster is fantastic.

“It’s a crying shame that police officers and emergency workers aren’t already recognised for making the ultimate sacrifice and it’s time that was changed.

“The whole of policing is behind the Elizabeth Medal and it’s now up to our lawmakers to make it happen.”

Moving her motion, Ms Chamberlain told MPs: “We have long-standing awards for gallantry, sacrifice and service, for those who have given to our country in all sorts of different ways. It is right that such service deserves recognition, and the recipients and their families are rightly proud.

“But sadly, there are those who have equally served their country and have made sacrifices who are not being recognised as they should.

“No reward or recognition can replace the loss of a loved one, but if we can go some way to make them feel like that loss has been recognised, it is very important.”

She spoke of how she joined Lothian and Borders Police in 1999, serving for 12 years as a police officer. Her father was a police officer and won a Royal Humane Society award in 1983 for rescuing a man from drowning in a dock. Her husband was also an officer.

The Medals for Heroes campaign was officially launched by the Federation, the Police Superintendents’ Association and the Prison Officers’ Association in April.

It’s also been supported by Bryn Hughes MBE, whose daughter PC Nicola Hughes and her Greater Manchester Police colleague PC Fiona Bone were murdered 10 years ago, and the families of fallen officers across the UK.

“There are many families with ongoing campaigns for justice,” Ms Chamberlain added, “That is why I am here with other members, calling on the Government to institute a new award for emergency service workers.

“It is part of the royal prerogative to determine honours and awards, but the Prime Minister does give advice on such matters, so I would argue that it is entirely within the Government and Prime Minister’s purview to put forward the recommendations, endorsed not only by members in this place but professional bodies across the country, for a new award.”

PC Ged Walker, a dog handler with Nottinghamshire Police, was also remembered during the debate.

On 7 January 2003, PC Walker was dragged 100 yards and fatally injured by a stolen taxi as he reached into the vehicle in an attempt to remove the keys from the ignition. He died in hospital two days later from serious head injuries. He was survived by his widow and two children.

Darren Henry, Conservative MP for Broxtowe, said: “PC Walker is a shining example of why an award, such as a medal, should exist. He and all other police officers put their lives on the line every day they go to work.

“Officers who have lost their lives protecting their communities must be recognised in such tragic circumstances.”

Holly Lynch, Labour MP for Halifax and Shadow Minister for Security, added: “So often officers are out there on their own. There is no such thing as a routine call in policing - the circumstances can change in an instant.

“This medal will be one step towards understanding the contributions they make, the risks that they take, and what we really owe to the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.”

Johnny Mercer, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, concluded the debate with a pledge to support the campaign.

He said: “I will take this forward and hope that this year, with a bit of drive and energy, we can bring the campaign to a conclusion with which we are all happy.”