Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) have joined the Police Federation in calling for a posthumous medal for officers killed in the line of duty.
The campaign has been led by Bryn Hughes and Paul Bone, fathers of Greater Manchester Police PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone, who were murdered on duty after attending a call out 10 years ago.
Now 26 PCCs have added their names to a letter to Home Secretary Suella Braverman endorsing the idea of an Elizabeth Medal similar to the Elizabeth Cross which is awarded to fallen members of the Armed Services.
Welcoming the news, Cambridgeshire Police Federation chair Liz Groom said: “I am delighted that PCCs are throwing their weight behind this worthy campaign. Just like our Armed Forces, police officers also demonstrate bravery and selflessness in the line of their duties – if the worst should happen it is only right that they should be honoured in the same way as British military personnel killed in action.”
Liz added: “A medal – particularly one named after our late Queen Elizabeth who exemplified public service – would be a poignant and powerful way to honour fallen colleagues and would be a source of pride for their families.”
The campaign is also backed by the Police Superintendents’ Association.