Now, following the launch of the design, the Trustees have agreed to consider how permanent names will be included on the Memorial. Under the chairmanship of Rev Canon David Wilbraham, National Police Chaplain, the Memorial Names Committee – an independent committee of Police family stakeholder representatives, including the Advisory Council members who supported the design process – will be established.
They will listen to the views of those with an interest in the Memorial, including survivors and serving and retired officers, and to seek relevant external advice from similar organisations and projects which could inform the UK Police Memorial, such as the military or Police and other memorials in other countries. Stakeholders will be contacted shortly to seek their agreement to help with this important issue.
Sir Hugh Orde said: “I and the Trustees are deeply grateful to David for agreeing to Chair this very important group. When I agreed to Chair the Trust over two years ago I was acutely aware of how important this issue would be.
“Our overriding ambition is to build a Memorial that recognises just how important Policing is and just how extraordinary our officers are: their determination to protect their fellow citizens overriding all personal considerations for their safety. It has to be right that when officers lose their lives in pursuit of this noble cause their bravery is acknowledged, recognised and recorded. This committee of stakeholders will help guide us through this very important territory.”
Canon Wilbraham said: “The proposed National Police Memorial is an ambitious, bold and hugely worthwhile project that will hopefully, in due course, become part of UK Policing.
“How people are remembered, acknowledged and commemorated is very complex. It engages with the deepest of our emotions, thoughts and actions. The ability to ‘name’ things is a uniquely human characteristic and carries precious responsibility.
“Advising on how the issue of names will be incorporated into this shared memorial is a daunting and complex task and it is with a sense of privilege but also trepidation that I approach the task of chairing the independent Memorial Names Committee. I know all those who will be invited to assist in this task feel no less and we will seek to fulfil this task with sensitivity, care, openness and wisdom.
“There will be more formal channels of communication in due course but if you would like to offer thoughts, personal reflection or suggestions as part of this process then do please write to me at the address below.”
Canon David Wilbraham, National Police Chaplain
Thames Valley Police Headquarters,
Oxford Road, Kidlington,
Oxon, OX5 2NX
david.wilbraham@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
