News Release

23rd July 2006

POLICE MEMORIAL

Chief Constables and senior police officers from over 36 forces throughout the United Kingdom as well as the Garda (The National Police Service of the Irish Republic) met this morning (Sunday 23rd July) at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire for an open air Service of Remembrance organised by COPS (Care of Police Survivors) for fallen police officers and their bereaved families. The closing address was given by Michael Fabricant who announced he will contact the Home Secretary to ensure that a "common and high level of care is offered by all police forces for the relatives and dependents of police officers who lose their lives in the course of duty". He went on to say: "I recognise that the high standards maintained in some forces is not replicated in others. And that is just not fair". In the last year 12 policemen and 4 policewomen have lost their lives in the course of their duty and 22 children have been left bereaved.

Michael Fabricant is a regular attendee and a committed founder supporter of COPS which started in March 2003 caring for 42 families; now over 200 families are looked after by COPS.

The ceremony started with a cavalcade of over 100 motorbikes provided by the Blue Knights - a club comprising serving and former police officers complete with police motorcycle escorts and out-riders. A police helicopter fly-past saluted the assembled police officers and survivor families.

The photograph shows Chief Constables lining up to present their wreaths
with Christine Fulton, COPS National President, on the podium.

There now follows the text of the speech given by Michael Fabricant.

First, let me thank you for inviting me here today and giving me the opportunity to make this closing address. I have found today's events deeply moving. None of us realise the dangers that police officers confront almost every day when they are on duty. I am proud of them and of you.

When your President, Christine Fulton, kindly asked me to come and make this speech, she provided some facts and figures about the police officers who have lost their lives in Britain. I was shocked when I heard that 13 men and 4 women, from all parts of the United Kingdom lost their lives this past year alone. And, tragically, 22 children have lost a father or a mother. And today, we have heard of another police officer who lost his life - just last week.

We should all feel tremendous pride in these men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty. Their deaths testify not only to their personal bravery but also to the great risks endured by policemen and women.

I hope that all Members of Parliament like me, and all members of the public, remember this when we think about the dedicated people in our police forces who keep us safe every day of every year. To say that we owe them the greatest debt of gratitude is an understatement. Society is a thin veneer and sometimes it is just the thin blue line that keeps society going.

Today is not about facts and figures. Fundamentally, today is about people, about the human cost of lives lost in the course of duty. Behind this loss of life are the families, like the many here today, who have suffered such devastation.

And that is where Care of Police Survivors comes in. Every family bereaved by the loss of an officer deserves to have access to help and support so that they can begin the painful process of rebuilding their lives. When COPS was founded in March 2003, they cared for 42 families. Now it is over 200. It seems absolutely clear to me that COPS has an essential role to play.

Even more so because I recognise that the high standards maintained in some forces is not replicated in others. And that is just not fair. There should be common and high standards. I can announce that I will be writing to the Home Secretary asking that a common and high level of care is offered by all police forces for the relatives and dependents of police officers who lose their lives in the course of duty and for the funds to enable them to do so.

The vital role of COPS has been evident throughout all the events of this Survivors' Weekend. This Service of Remembrance is but one part of what's been going on. I know there have been seminars, tree dedications, and a social evening. There have been some fantastic opportunities for the children to meet each other and have a fun time.

Throughout all of this, COPS has provided the forum in which survivors can reach out and help other survivors. It is wonderful that you have been able to share experiences and learn how others have rebuilt their lives. One of the points made by COPS is that only another survivor can fully understand what new survivors endure. I understand why that should be so. This, it seems to me, is the great strength of COPS.

I hope, Christine, you won't mind me mentioning your message on the COPS website. I mention it because I think it shows why COPS plays such an invaluable role. I was very touched when I read about how, having gone over to Washington and met with the American COPS organisation, being with other survivors allowed you to meet people who truly understood what it meant for you to lose a husband or a wife.

So, I have nothing but the greatest admiration for Christine Fulton, as well as the late Jim McNulty, for setting up COPS in this country. It was a vital step, and one from which many hundreds of British families will draw strength, comfort and support.