The decision follows months of deliberations by the Independent Names Committee, chaired by the Rev Canon David Wilbraham, National Police Chaplain, and included representatives of Care of Police Survivors, Superintendents Association of England and Wales, Police Federation of England and Wales, National Association of Retired Police Officers and Police Roll of Honour.
The Memorial screens will list the names of some 1,400 officers and staff who have been killed in the line of duty through violence or whilst protecting the public from harm and this remains unchanged.
In addition and in recognition of those officers and staff who have died on duty through other means, for example sudden illness or traffic accidents, a separate tribute will be created.
Chair of the UK Police Memorial Sir Hugh Orde said: “Policing is a family and when an officer or staff member is killed or dies, we all grieve.
“Whilst the memorial will continue to honour those policing colleagues who have laid down their lives in the line of duty, there was a view that we needed to remember those who had dedicated their lives to policing and who had died from other causes. The addition of the names of those who have died on duty should be seen as an enhancement to this project not a detraction.
“We not only want to create a Memorial where the nation can go to honour and commemorate its policing heroes, but also to establish a place of comfort and tangible reflection for loved ones to remember all those who have died whilst serving policing.”
The UK Police Memorial will be built at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, the place where all those who have died serving their country are remembered. In addition to the physical memorial, a digital memorial will also be established that highlights the names of all those officers and staff from the police service who have been killed and died.
