It is important for the police service to take the time to pay respect to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Scottish Police Federation Chair, David Threadgold was speaking as the police family gathered in Coventry for the 22nd annual National Police Memorial Day service, to honour around 5,000 officers who have lost their lives on duty.
The names of those officers who have died in the past year were read out. They are PC Ian Minett, of Gloucestershire Constabulary; PC Michael Bruce and PC Frank Hawkins, both of the Metropolitan Police; PC Marcus Bennett, of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary; PC Rosie Prior, of North Yorkshire Police; and DC Karen Smith, of Humberside Police.
Also remembered was PC Faizaan Najeeb, of Northamptonshire Police, who died from injuries sustained on duty on Friday (26 September).
David said: “I’m here today not only to represent my association and my Federation, but to pay my own personal respects for colleagues and friends who have fallen in the line of duty as part of the charity that organises this event.
“It is very important to me that we take the time as individuals and as federations across the UK to pay our respects for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
“It’s a real privilege to have the responsibility to take our government official up to the front of the service and play that small part in it.
“The much bigger picture, and much more importantly, are those who are here today as candle lighters. Linsey Dempsey from Scotland, whose father was killed on duty, is an inspiration to me, and I’ve only known her for a couple of weeks.
“What they have gone through as families and extended groups of friends is something I’ve fortunately never had to deal with, but I’ve got a huge amount of respect for them all.
“I think for anyone who thinks that we shouldn’t remember, you would only need to spend a little bit of time with those who have been affected by tragedy.
“We go to work every day to serve the public. It’s an old cliché, but we should always return home, and sadly, on very few occasions, we don’t.
“Now, if you have had the privilege, and it is a privilege, to speak to some of the families that have been involved, these services mean the absolute world to them.
“We have people here today who have come from America, Australia, all over the UK and Europe to pay their respects, and it is absolutely right that we do that.”
Brian Jones, Vice-Chair of the Scottish Police Federation, added: “It’s really important that we remember the sacrifices that our colleagues have made in the past, and remember their deeds of bravery.
“We have to remember the sacrifices that officer have made, and it’s really important that they’re never forgotten, and the families are actually part of the bigger police family.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood gave a reading at the service, as did Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp and PFEW Chair Tiff Lynch.
During the service, candles were lit for officers in each of the four nations.
Lighting the candle for England was Kelly Swindells and her daughter Mabel, in memory of Kelly’s father DC Michael Swindells QGM, of West Midlands Police. DC Swindells was fatally stabbed by an armed suspect he was pursuing. Mabel was born on the 20th anniversary of his death.
Lighting the candle for Northern Ireland was Peter Olphert, in memory of his father Constable John Robinson Olphert, of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Constable Olphert was fatally shot by terrorist gunmen while off duty.
Lighting the candle for Scotland was Linsey Dempsey, in memory of her father PC Stuart Simpson, of Strathclyde Police. PC Simpson died when his police car was struck head on by a car going the wrong way on a motorway.
And lighting the candle for Wales was Lowri MacArthur, in memory of her father PC Terry Davies, of Gwent Police. PC Davies was killed after being struck by a stolen car that failed to stop as he cycled home from duty.
The families of six officers who have died in the line of duty were awarded the Elizabeth Emblem during the service. They are the families of PC Royston Jerred, of Sussex Police; Sgt Noel Lane and PC Mark Peers, both of the Metropolitan Police; PC Andrew Le Comte, of West Midlands Police; PC Ian Rodgers, of Greater Manchester Police; and PC Dennis Smith, of Devon and Cornwall Police.
At the end of the service, the Last Post was sounded, and petals in remembrance of all the officers who have lost their lives were distributed to the congregation.