THE Police Federation marked 100 years of women in policing with a posthumous award for PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes in recognition of their dedication to duty.<\/p>\n
A session celebrating a century of women in policing closed with the inaugural \u2018Women in Policing\u2019 award being given to the officers. The award was received by Fiona\u2019s father Paul Bone and sister Vicky; and Nicola\u2019s father, Bryn Hughes.<\/p>\n
Pictured left to right are Vicky Bone, Paul Bone, Bryn Hughes and PFEW chairman Steve White.<\/span><\/p>\n The new annual\u00a0Women in Policing award has been created\u00a0to give national recognition for outstanding endeavours and dedication to duty.<\/p>\n Mr White said: \u201cFiona and Nicola\u2019s sacrifice will forever be etched in our memory and they are very worthy recipients of the \u2018Women in Policing\u2019 award in its inaugural year.<\/p>\n \u201cI would like to thank both the Bone and the Hughes families for joining us and accepting this award on behalf of Fiona and Nicola \u2013 two courageous officers who gave their lives for the communities they were proud to serve.\u201d<\/p>\n Speaking after the presentation, Nicola\u2019s father, Bryn Hughes said: \u201cEmotionally it\u2019s a massive thing to accept the award. I think it should be seen as a celebration of Nicola and Fiona\u2019s life and not a concentration on what happened to them.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Bone described the gesture as a \u201clovely acknowledgement\u201d. He added: \u201cIt\u2019s a great thing for the Police Federation to acknowledge the role of women in policing over the years.\u00a0Fiona and Nicola gave the ultimate sacrifice but they were just doing their job.\u201d<\/p>\n Sue Hughes, Nicola\u2019s mother, was unable to attend the presentation but paid tribute to female officers being vital and valuable members of the police service. She said: \u201cAs Nicola\u2019s mum, our family are very proud and honoured to receive this on behalf of Nicola and Fiona, but we also accept this award on behalf of all female officers who have made sacrifices and achieved so much in the past and present.\u201d<\/p>\n PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes were tragically killed on 18 September 2012 in a gun and grenade attack as they investigated a hoax burglary in Greater Manchester.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n