Memorial Day and supporting families of the fallen

A MEDIA spotlight has been focussed on the alleged “behaviour” of some people at National Police Memorial Day – but this is not the way things are done at Essex Police Federation.

EssexFedFocus editor Royston Martis spent time with Essex Police Federation – and the families of fallen officers – at the tenth National Police Memorial Day in Cardiff last year. Here he looks back on the weekend.

“Alcohol was drunk at National Police Memorial Day.

It was drunk with the relatives of fallen officers. It is what we do.

We raise a glass to fallen friends. People who are gone but not forgotten. Those who are sadly absent.

But to suggest that the event is a big party – as some politicians have gladly recounted over recent days – could not be further from the truth.

I was lucky to spend time with Essex Police Federation – and the families of fallen officers – at the tenth National Police Memorial Day in Cardiff last year.

What I saw was an organisation that knew what – and importantly who – was important. And to be fair, the same can be said of chief constable Stephen Kavanagh and Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston.

We all joined the families of fallen officers at the event in Cardiff.

“I get great support,” said Sue Bishop, whose husband Acting Sgt Brian ‘Bill’ Bishop was murdered on duty in Essex in 1984.

She added: “It is very comforting to the survivors. We are thankful to the organisers, the Federation and the chief officers that attend every year.”

Roy Scanes and Andy Hastings, from the Federation, ensured Sue and the other survivors were looked after, transported from Essex to Wales and fed and watered. There were laughter and tears. But there was support and a chance for everyone present at a dinner in Wales on Saturday night to get on their feet and say a few words about their loss and how life has changed.

“The day is very important to survivors” added Mrs Bishop. “You are not expecting that your partner goes out to work and does not come home again.”

Essex Police Federation – and Fed’s across the country – should rightly be proud of their involvement with National Police Memorial Day since its inception in 2004 and proud of the way they support the families of officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

I witnessed respect, compassion and at times a smile to remember loved ones lost. And yes, a glass was raised – but it was raised to loved ones of fallen officers. With the families they have sadly left behind.

Essex Police Federation representatives were in Cardiff last year. They will be in Northern Ireland this year.

Policing in the UK is more dangerous than ever before. The service will continue to lose between 10 and 15 officers every single year. Very often in brutal circumstances.

It is essential that we honour them and ensure they are never forgotten.

And that – despite the current focus from some media outlets – that the importance of the day for the families of fallen officers is not forgotten.”