New ‘Elizabeth Emblem’ unveiled to honour public servants who died in line of duty
Police officers who died in the line of duty will be commemorated with a new Elizabeth Emblem.
It follows a two-year ‘Medals for Heroes’ campaign launched by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) alongside the father of Greater Manchester Police officer Nicola Hughes, who was ambushed and killed along with her colleague Fiona Bone in 2012.
The national recognition, conferred by His Majesty The King, will be awarded to the next of kin of police officers, firefighters and other public servants.
The award is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who died in action or as a result of a terrorist attack.
The design of the Emblem incorporates a rosemary wreath, a traditional symbol of remembrance, which surrounds the Tudor Crown. It is inscribed with ‘For A Life Given In Service’, and will have the name of the person for whom it is in memoriam inscribed on the reverse of the Emblem. It will include a pin to allow the award to be worn on clothing by the next of kin of the deceased.
The Emblem recognises how the sacrifices made by public servants who have lost their lives as a result of their duty could be recognised within the honours system.
Next of kin of the deceased will be able to apply for the Emblem via gov.uk. Nominations will be reviewed by the George Cross Committee and recommendations then made to His Majesty The King via the Prime Minister. Applications can be made back to 1948.
Recipients of The Elizabeth Emblem will receive their award from a senior representative such as a chief constable, chief fire officer or His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant.
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said: “We will not forget those who died in our service.
“The Elizabeth Emblem will bring the nation together to honour the dedication and commitment of these exceptional public servants who have given their lives in service of the United Kingdom.”
Policing Minister Chris Philp added: “We owe so much to our public servants who make sacrifices every day to keep us safe.
“The Elizabeth Emblem will recognise those who tragically lost their lives in public service and rightly enshrine them in our country’s history so that their sacrifices are never forgotten.”
The PFEW and Ms Hughes father Bryn Hughes led the calls for the introduction of formal State recognition for any officer who loses their life while serving the public. The campaign received broad support from more than 100 cross-party MPs and most of the police and crime commissioners too.
Additional support was also given by all 43 chief constables along with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the Police Superintendents’ Association.
PFEW National Board member and Medals for Heroes lead John Partington commented: “We’ve waited for this announcement for a number of years. We launched the Medals for Heroes campaign two years ago and this itself was built upon campaigning that we worked on two years before that so I’m delighted by the news the work we have done has helped towards the emblem’s introduction.”
He added: “I’d especially like to thank all of those who have contributed to our call for formal State recognition. Many colleagues have worked with us on this and I’d like to especially thank the other board members and branch chairs who have added their local backing on behalf of the membership.
“I’m also grateful to the team in Wales who secured support for the highest levels and I know they have also offered a great deal of personal support to Bryn Hughes throughout the campaign.”
Mr Hughes said: “Nicola and Fiona went to work that day wearing the Crown and they lost their lives while responding to what they thought was a call for help from a member of the public.
“To receive this news that their sacrifice is to be formerly recognised by the Crown and State is overwhelming. I meet with many other families of fallen officers and I’m sure many of those, too, will be thankful for this formal recognition.”
PFEW national chair Steve Hartshorn said: “The news of the introduction of the Elizabeth Emblem will mean a lot to our members.
“The role of a police officer is complex, difficult and sometimes dangerous and this announcement acknowledges that in the most tragic of circumstances, an officer’s family will receive formal State recognition for their loved one’s sacrifice.”