Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales have backed a campaign for emergency workers killed in the line of duty to be posthumously awarded the Elizabeth Medal.
The campaign has been led by Bryn Hughes and Paul Bone, fathers of PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone, who were murdered on duty after attending a call out 10 years ago, as well as the Police Federation of England and Wales and the Police Superintendents’ Association. The Elizabeth Medal is currently awarded to members of the armed forces killed in the line of duty. Extending it to emergency workers would be a way of recognising their sacrifice and honouring them. It will also be a fitting legacy to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, who is also the Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester, and Baroness Bev Hughes, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, attended the memorial service for PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone last Sunday at Hyde Police Station, along Nicola and Fiona’s families and Greater Manchester Police colleagues.
As a way of remembering them, they have coordinated a joint letter from PCCs to the new Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, asking her to consider awarding the Elizabeth Medal to emergency workers.
