Redefining Remembrance

DEVELOPMENT plans for a world first digital remembrance programme that pays tribute to the 4,500 police officers and staff who have dedicated their lives to policing across the UK will be unveiled today (Thursday, 2nd March 2023) at a special reception at the Tower of London to UK Police Memorial (UKPM) supporters and partners.

Trustee of the Police Arboretum Memorial Trust Giles York QPM, who is Chair of the UKPM Digital Working Group, and former Chief Constable of Sussex Police, said: “The UK Police Memorial will be a world first, using the advances of a digital age to redefine remembrance. Our vision for the Memorial is that it should celebrate lives lived, while also remembering lives lost. 

“It will tell the personal stories of those behind the badge who have dedicated their lives to policing and who have been killed whilst policing our communities, keeping us safe and defending our freedoms.”

Developed in partnership with the Police Roll of Honour Trust (PRHT), the innovative digital remembrance programme, will extend the reach of the UK Police Memorial beyond those who visit the site at the Arboretum, to an international audience. 

It has been informed by an extensive national consultation process, including an in-depth survey which represented the views of over 200,000 people from across the police service, families of the fallen, the wider policing family, including police charities and staff associations, policing museums, archivists, and the general public. 

Mr York added: “Digital remembrance is part of our wider educational plans for this Memorial, that will ensure that the Trust plays a major role in truly recognising the greatness of British policing, by providing a fitting tribute and commemoration to the fallen, whilst contributing to the national conversation about the vital role that the police service plays in a civil society.”

The digital aspects will also be integrated within the physical Memorial at the Arboretum, to enhance the visitor experience, and will form an intrinsic part of the UK Police Memorial.  You can find out further details about the plans for the digital remembrance programme by visiting the Digital Remembrance Programme page.

About Chris Webb