A TREE has been planted and a plaque unveiled at West Merica Police headquarters in Hindlip to remember all the officers who have lost their lives.
West Mercia Police Chief Constable Anthony Bangham was joined by the families of fallen officers and staff, alongside force representatives.
At the same time as the West Merica ceremony, HRH The Prince of Wales unveiled the new UK Police Memorial at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire.
Chief Constable Bangham said: “This is an historic day – for policing in this country, for those who continue to serve, those who have retired and most importantly for the families and friends of those officers and staff who have lost their lives whilst protecting others.
“The National Memorial is the culmination of seven years’ work. It has been created to honour the courage and sacrifice of members of our police service who have paid the ultimate price: a price where duty came first in order to keep others safe.
“Coinciding with the dedication of the national memorial, today seems a fitting moment for us to create a single place of remembrance at West Mercia Police headquarters for all of our colleagues who have lost their lives whilst on duty, protecting our communities.
“I hope the tree planted at Hindlip today will continue to be a quiet place for reflection and remembrance for many generations to come.”
Prior to the unveiling ceremony at Hindlip, where the force chaplain The Rev Dick Johnson said a prayer and read out the names of those who have died while on duty with West Mercia, the Chief and guests gathered to watch live the streaming of the dedication ceremony of the new memorial at the arboretum.
Visit ukpolicememorial.com to see the national police memorial being unveiled.
