‘Government should pay for National Police Memorial Day’

THE Chairman of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI) has called on the government to help cover the cost of National Police Memorial Day.

Mark Lindsay said a contribution from Government would send a strong message to the families of fallen officers, and show appreciation for the sacrifice made by the men and women of the police service.

“The costs involved are not prohibitive, but a contribution from central Government will send a message to the families, and the colleagues of fallen officers, that they do not stand alone, and that the nation acknowledges their sacrifice,” he said.

And Neil Bowles, Chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, agrees. He said: “The Police Force serve the public and is paid for out of public funds, the vast majority of which comes from central government.

“The NPMD is a charity that was set up by a single officer to have a recognised day in the national calendar to remember those colleagues that pay the ultimate price.

“Why do we need a charity? This should be fully paid for by Government to show those families and friends that are left behind, and the general public, that the sacrifices made will not be forgotten by the country as a whole.”

Speaking at a Civil Nuclear Police Federation reception on 14 September, Mr Lindsay also suggested that the cost of the annual ceremony should be spread across all forces rather than leaving it to the hosting force.

“We believe the cost of the event should not be paid for singularly by the hosting forces, or collections alone, but there should be an aggregate distribution of the costs spread throughout all the police services,” he said.

This year’s ceremony is due to take place at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on 25 September.

The responsibility for hosting the event rotates between forces in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland every four years.

National Police Memorial Day was founded in 2001 by Joe and Sharon Holness, who will soon retire.

Mr Lindsay commended their efforts, and vowed to “carry on the ethos that they established in setting up the charity”.