Incredible Way To Honour The Queen

Essex Police Federation Chair Laura Heggie reflects on the incredible work done by officers in Essex after the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

Essex Police officers have been working tirelessly since the sad passing of Her Majesty The Queen, with many long hours, rest days cancelled, and annual leave given up both in force as well as in London and Thames Valley.

In the days following Her Majesty’s passing, the Essex Police Federation Welfare van deployed to the City of London to look after the many officers working through the night until other services could be put in place.

In the background, preparation had started at Stansted Airport to make sure the force was prepared for the arrival at various times of more than 30 heads of state and to ensure their safe departure.

During the operation to Stansted, more than 600 officers were used at different times. This included the assistance of mutual aid from Norfolk, Suffolk, Staffordshire, and Police Scotland.

Essex deployed more than 400 officers on mutual aid in many roles to assist in London and Thames Valley. During this time, the officers in force were on extended hours and cancelled rest days to ensure they were still able to provide a service to the people of Essex and keep them safe.

I had the privilege, along with other Essex colleagues, of being deployed on the day of the funeral into the Met and policed part of the route Her Majesty’s funeral cortege took from Westminster Abbey to Windsor. It was an amazing experience and certainly one I will never forget. With the service and the crowds I was with, it was lovely to see how it brought everyone together – no matter how young or old, or what race, religion or nationality. Everyone was there with the sole purpose of giving Queen Elizabeth II the send-off she rightly deserved, to show our gratitude and say farewell. That was so powerful.

Everyone in Essex Police should be so proud of themselves for how the police service has run since the passing of Her Majesty – and that is everyone.

From the Resource Management Unit, both Logistics cells, the officers in Essex, the officers deployed on mutual aid representing Essex, the commanders, the Bronzes on the ground, the staff in the uniform stores who made sure we looked good (not an easy challenge!). All of this under the control of ACC Glen Pavelin.

Yes, there was high risk and there were teething problems, but everyone pulled together in the international eye and made it work. A massive well done to everyone.