A foreword for the National Police Memorial Day Order of Service, Sunday 29th September 2013

I am enormously proud to be Patron of the National Police Memorial Day and particularly pleased to be with you all at Saint David’s Hall, Cardiff.

Today marks the tenth anniversary of this special day, as we honour and remember the selfless devotion to public service which typifies the British Police Service.  The tragic deaths of Ian Dibell, Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone last year have reinforced just how dangerous the Police Service can be.  Our courageous policemen and women routinely endure hazardous environments in order to defend us and protect all our freedoms.  But there is nothing routine about the courage they display. 

The professionalism and stoic nature of the individual policeman or woman, when combined into one whole Service, is what makes policing in the United Kingdom as admired as it is.  Indeed, to all those who keep us safe, and to their families, we owe a debt of gratitude that we can never repay. 

We are drawn together from across the entire nation to show our heartfelt respect to those brave souls who have died during the course of their duties.  They put the safety of others above that of their own and they have earned the right to be honoured in this special way.  They will never be forgotten and their proud legacy inspires us and will always live on.