May to pay respects to fallen police officers

By Wesley Johnson, PA

Sunday, 26 September 2010

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The Home Secretary is expected to join hundreds of people to honour police officers killed in the line of duty today.

Theresa May will join police chiefs and families, friends and colleagues of the fallen officers at the National Police Memorial Day service in Belfast.

Seven officers were added to the roll of honour in the past 12 months, including Pc Bill Barker, who was swept to his death in the Cumbrian floods, and Pc Daniel Cooper, whose patrol car crashed into a tree while he was responding to an urgent call for assistance from other officers in Wiltshire.

Pc Barker, 44, of Egremont, was swept off a bridge to his death by floods in Workington, Cumbria, last November, while he was directing motorists to safety.

Speaking at the time, his widow Hazel said: "I have the comfort of knowing that Bill died doing the job he loved, and the fact that he was helping others is just typical Bill."

The traffic officer's body was found on a beach in Allonby several hours after he disappeared from the road bridge over the River Derwent. Mr Barker served with Cumbria Constabulary for 25 years and left four children.

Mr Cooper, 22, of Wiltshire Police, died when his patrol car hit a tree near Bradford-on-Avon on February 1.

His mother Heather Cooper paid tribute, saying he was "just somebody who wanted to give to the community, was just so good around people and always willing to do things for others".

The other five officers added to the roll of honour in the last 12 months died following collisions on their way to or from work.

The National Police Memorial Day was founded by Police Sergeant Joe Holness in 2004 after his colleague at Kent Police was killed while carrying out road safety checks.

It has brought together more than 20 years of research to create a national Roll of Honour for fallen police officers.

Mr Holness said: "Each year we rightly stop and remember the sacrifices made by police officers throughout the UK with an annual, national memorial day in recognition of their courage and sacrifice."

Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents rank-and-file officers, added: "This day is a way for the nation to recognise the best of all human qualities: selfless and devoted courage.

"The example and valour of those officers who died on duty acts as an inspiration to us all."

R. Broxted

Dear Jah, I wonder if plod ever notice the sheer odium and hatred directed at them? It cannot all be the "underclass". Once the tide turns (soon) they will be swinging from lamp posts.
jah6

You have a very good point, which is why I am surprised that so many people on this site are rattling on about police brutality. I never see any police around when I come over there either, but over here there are plenty of police on the roads and on the streets. This ceremony was for police who were being honored for actually doing their jobs though, and dying in the line of duty.
Hardrada

With respect, the perceptions people have of the police can't simply be dismissed as "silly" comments: rather, they're comments that point to the side of the coin that you appear not to want to recognise, but which nevertheless exists. I'm very sorry to have to say it, but there are a large number of police officers currently retained who have serious criminal records and who really aren't fit to be police officers at all.

Also, a number of recent very serious incidents (not all of them concerning fatalities) involving police officers appear to the public to have been, as they say, "covered-up".

Even relatively trivial matters concerning officers who have been caught speeding, but have (like, for example, the odious Hamiltons) escaped the consequences by "forgetting" who was driving undermine public faith in the police.

Meanwhile, ACPO, I'm afraid, is a dangerous, politically active organisation that, in my view, has no business existing at all. It should be disbanded without delay.

I've known some excellent police officers in my time - and some rubbish: there seems to be a great deal more rubbish about now than there used to be. If they don't get rid of it, if they defend the rubbish (and even encourage it) by retaining it, the inevitable result is that the integrity of all police officers becomes compromised.
eltomo

yes thats my point, they are ordered to do it.
jah6

It is true that the police will shoot to kill if they decide that it is necessary to discharge their weapons. This is sensible considering that they would likely be shot and killed themselves if they wavered. There is a sensible solution if you don't want to be shot by a cop though. Don't be a criminal, and especially do not wave a gun around. Duh!
helen42

err..might it be the case then that the 'suspects' (seems pretty concrete if they have a gun in their hand and are waving said guns around) don't run around armed? It's personal responsibility and the consequences are what they have made them in the first place.
helen42

I think the families would have ten times more grace and dignity than many of the idiots commenting who are quite clearly 'trolls' on this page. I'm sure the families wouldn't give said trolls a second glance.
jah6

I used to be anti-cop until I worked as a nurse in the ER for 10 years in a rather rough ghetto area in the US. Then i had plenty of time to appreciate the job they do. They certainly saved our asses plenty of times. I live in an area where police are shot on the job with alarming frequency, and I am shocked by the two silly comments on here. I think about half the commenters on Independent must be really young and naive, or half wit lefties from the 60s judging from comments I read on various topics. Since i am an ex-pat I like to read the news in the UK, but am going to give up on this paper.
bishbashbong

So no respect for the many people that have been unlawfully killed at the hands of the Police then?
bishbashbong

Then what you and the rest of the population need to realise... is that the 'authority' lies in the 'Uniform' and not the robot wearing it. When we all recognise this 'illisory power' and realise that the real power lies with the majority. Then we can all get on and do what we want with our lives, leave the robots to become human beings again and keep us safe instead of dictating to us. Its only fear...
bishbashbong

I don't know where you live but in the UK it is not against the Law to NOT RUN away from the police and even if it was, I very much doubt that it would carry the death sentence. The story that he ran away from the police is a proven lie. He was murdered by Police Officers, who all got off Scott free... the woman Inspector who ordered his killing got an MBE.
stickybud

Well, exactly, but being considered a criminal makes me feel very uncomfortable, especially considering what would happen were I to be prosecuted.
R. Broxted

Dear General we are in agreement. I may further add "Put your trust in your sword, and your sword in Insp Truscott".
bishbashbong

We haven't got any Police... we have Government Policy Enforcers.
R. Broxted

Apart from the Brixton uprising in '81 we never saw any!
jah6

I am very sorry about what happened to Charles de Menezez, but consider the times when it happened. It is a big mistake to run from a police officer also. They are easily recognised in any country even if you don't speak the language.
Hardrada

Also, to all the people who have been killed by police officers in very questiuonable circumstances?
bishbashbong

Tell Jean Charles de Menezez that!
bishbashbong

I am not uncomfortable at all... I 'understand' the difference between the Law and the Statutes that our so called Law Makers impose on us. Unless I consent to these so called laws, then I ignore them, as I'm sure you do too!
bishbashbong

Conspiracy to defraud is a crime because the act of fraud is ?being committed?. Just because the culprits are caught before they get their hands on the loot, is not mitigation. Like attempted Murder.
stickybud

It's difficult to have any respect or sympathy for the police when you are a criminal; even when that 'crime' doesn't harm anybody, least of all yourself.
After all, they would be the ones smashing your front door in, dragging you through the courts, and generally destroying your life.
Try asking the other 10 million or so.
Boanerges9

Conspiracy to defraud (for instance), is a crime, even though the intended victim might have suffered no loss - (is not harmed).
GeneralScheissKopf

No Hardrada wasn't unjustified. 14 deaths in police custody doesn't necessarily mean any officers carried out an act of violence against a prisoner. But it almost certainly means that the police failed to carry out proper safety procedures - suicide watch, checking on illegal and prescribed drug intake/need, regular 15 minute visual inspections. They probably just couldn't be ar**d about the "care" bit of their duty of "care and control" of prisoners.

It's perfectly possible to kill by omission as well as by commission.
GeneralScheissKopf

For the most part I seem to managing perfectly well without police. I can usually manage without incompetent lazy ill-organised bullies, thanks.

I'll change my views (possibly) if the Filth get off their fat a*s*s and start patrolling our streets again (singly, not in pairs). I'll change my views when I can ask a Pig for directions and not feel I'm doing him or her a disservice in so doing. I'll change my views when the Rozzers start dealing with the low-level crime of anti-social behaviour.

Until then, you know my views, Watson. (This was meant as a response to Jah6 below - sorry Ron)
R. Broxted

They are not officers they hold no commission in the armed forces. Likewise they ARE civilians. Drawn mostly from the ranks of the semi literate they don't "keep us safe". The only time I have seen them move promptly recently was when 2 aging hippies held up a "Ban The War" sign. Were I to give vent to my loathing of P.C Plod my comment would be deleted. Many laws yet little justice. New Scotland Yard delenda est.
stickybud

No, they're just the ones doing the dirty work.
stickybud

Well, according to the lawmakers it is. Does that make you feel uncomfortable?
jah6

No.
bishbashbong

" ...even when that 'crime' doesn't harm anybody..." Then its NOT a crime then!
bishbashbong

Some have guns but most just use sticks, knees and fists.
keymoosaabee

HARDRADA; This article is a tribute to those police officers who sacrificed their lives in the execution of their duty. It was their sacrifice that ensures you and your family can live and go about your every-day activities in relative safety. I knew two of these officers and your comments are an insult to their memory and sacrifice. I am sure THEIR families will appreciate your stupid and unwarranted comment.
jah6

I wonder how you would manage without police.
helen42

great reply jah6.
Hardrada

1. Too many. 2. In fact, the police do have guns: what I presume you meant to point out was that all the police don't carry guns? 3. You don't need a gun to kill someone: consider the case of Mr Tomlinson, who died after being pushed to the ground by PC Harwood as he walked away from a London protest to which he was unconnected.
VivaLaRevolution

The solicitor with shotgun shot 5 times. (police said they would not shoot him and did.)
Moat was surrounded by armed police officers. (Possibly Tazered to death).
It is always the one (gunman) against the many gunmen (police).

Yet the unwritten law is shoot first and ask questions later with armed police.
That is what they say anyway.

They have all their guns pointed at the suspect. Yet if the suspect levels their gun they will shoot claiming their life was a risk. When the person whose life really is at risk is the suspect, as their guns are pointed at them all the time.
eltomo

yeh they dont make the laws though.
eltomo

good bye.
VivaLaRevolution

With newspaper paywalls coming soon you may have no other choice.
jah6

How many of those are there in the UK? The police don't even have guns.
derekcolman

keymoosaabee, while it is sad that these 7 officers died, only 2 died in the execution of their duty, as the article says the rest died on the way to or from work, which happens to lots of other people every day. One died on duty in an accident which tragically was an error of judgement. Only one died in an act of bravery while protecting the public and none died at the hands of a criminal. The public is entitled to disquiet over the roughly double number of deaths while in police custody. However, Hardrada was not justified in making the accusation that they were killed by police officers, and you were quite right to rebuke him.