Tributes rain in for gentleman chair of Police Federation
Paul McKeever, the chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), has died.
Paul McKeever, the chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), has died.
Mr McKeever, 57, who had chaired the PFEW since 2008, was taken into hospital earlier in the week after suffering a suspected embolism. He was due to retire at the end of the month.
Having joined the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in 1977, Mr McKeever was part of the policing team at the Brixton riots of 1981 and 1985. In 1992 he was elected to the PFEW, where he served on many national committees and was renowned for his oratorical skills, often making speeches without notes.
Steve Williams, chair-elect of PFEW, led the many tributes to his predecessor, who leaves behind a wife and daughter.
He said: I am terribly saddened to announce that Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, died last night.
He was admitted to hospital a few days ago and sadly collapsed with a suspected embolism. We await further details, however, my deepest sympathy and that of the entire Police Federation is with his wife and family at this time.
He was a truly outstanding chairman and most importantly a truly outstanding police officer and man. A true gentleman, his leadership and reputation will be remembered highly by all those who knew him.
Home Secretary Theresa May said: I was deeply saddened to hear the news today of Paul McKeevers death.
He gave more than 35 years of his life to the police in a long and distinguished career, including risking his own personal safety at the frontline in the Brixton Riots.
As chairman of the Police Federation, he worked tirelessly on behalf of rank and file officers across the country and I know they will join with me in mourning his loss today.
Yvette Cooper, the Shadow Home Secretary, also offered her condolences to Mr McKeevers family following the terrible news.
Paul was a tireless champion of British policing, a resolute and responsible advocate for the brave work police officers do up and down the country every day. He did this with compassion and charisma and he will be sorely missed not only by the Police Federation but by all who knew him.
Paul was deeply committed to public service and the work of the police. He was himself a brave and committed police officer approaching 30 years of service. And he would doubtless have enjoyed new things on retirement too – which is why his sudden death is so sad.
I will miss Paul very much. He was always thoughtful, had a great sense of humour and was always good company.
The Scottish Police Federation paid tribute to the chair of its counterpart organisation, describing the news as a devastating blow.
As chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, Paul continually stood for what was right for the membership at a time when so much was going wrong. Paul was a gentleman, at all times dignified, thoughtful and decent and has left a gap in the lives of all who knew him.
Terry Spence, chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, praised Mr McKeevers dedication to the job, adding his death so soon before his retirement was a particularly cruel blow.
The Police Federation for Northern Ireland was grateful for his sincere and informed interest in policing here, he said.
At times of local crisis he never hesitated to call me to offer what assistance he could. He had even used his scheduled meetings with the Home Secretary to raise matters of local concern, feeding directly into Government at the highest level the voice of Northern Ireland officers.
His attendance at the funerals of our Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) colleagues Stephen Carroll and Ronan Kerr was no routine engagement but compassionate evidence of his belief that the dangers and challenges of police are shared by us all, no matter where we serve.
Derek Barnett, President of the Police Superintendents Association of England and Wales said:
He was exceptionally