Force imam takes part in National Police Memorial Day

26 September 2022

Imam Emad Choudhury addresses the service.

West Midlands PC Emad Choudhury spoke at yesterday’s National Police Memorial Day service in Belfast.

Emad is the West Midlands Police imam and faith lead, and co-vice chair of the West Midlands’ Association of Muslim Police.

He read from the Muslim Tradition during the service, which honoured fallen officers’ commitment, bravery and sacrifice.

He said: “My message to my fallen colleagues, my friends, my family. You have not just given up something for someone else, but you have saved humanity.

“Know that a sacrifice is never in vain, when you give up something valuable knowing Allah awaits you with something more valuable.

“He is just by nature and will grant you your due reward. I pray you are reunited with loved ones at the gates of heaven where there lies no sacrifice, no hardship, and no tears.”

Emad also posted on his Twitter that he was honoured to be speaking at the event in memory of fallen colleagues.

“A time to celebrate their legacy of an ultimate sacrifice,” he said.

Emad was joined in the congregation of almost 2,000 people at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall by secretaries of state, police chiefs and family and friends of fallen of officers.

Rich Cooke, West Midlands Police Federation chair who represented the branch at the service along with workplace representative Rod Rose, said: “The National Police Memorial Day service is always a poignant occasion, but especially in Northern Ireland where so many colleagues were murdered during the troubles. It was very moving to see the policing family come together to pay their respects in person for the first time since the pandemic. It was great to see our Honour Guard there, who do such a tremendous job for us and were ably led by Sergeant Ben Westwood.

“The service and sacrifice of our fallen colleagues will never be forgotten by any of us.”

Rod Rose (left) and Rich Cooke at the National Police Memorial Day service.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who gave a reading during the service, said: “To all the officers who lost their lives while working to keep us safe, we thank you and we honour you.

“Their bravery and commitment to their duty was unfaltering. Society owes them and their loved ones a debt we cannot repay, but it is one we will not forget.

“As Home Secretary I make a promise to give police the powers and tools they need to do their jobs safely.”

During the service, candles were lit by relatives in remembrance of officers throughout the country who have lost their lives, one from each of the four nations of the United Kingdom.

Representing England was Kat Dumphreys, widow of PC Nick Dumphreys, who died on 26 January 2000, aged 47. He sustained fatal injuries when the police vehicle he was driving was in a single vehicle collision on the M6.

Liam Kelly, chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, read the names of officers who have lost their lives during the past year – PC Daniel Golding, Metropolitan Police, PC Craig Higgins, Greater Manchester Police, PC Alex Prentice, Northamptonshire Police, and PC Darryl Street, Civil Nuclear Constabulary.

He said: “National Police Memorial Day is an occasion to reflect and celebrate the best in policing not only in Northern Ireland but throughout the United Kingdom.

“Daily we see officers stepping up to the mark to safeguard communities and, sadly, on occasion, some officers are injured or lose their lives in the execution of their duties. This weekend, we say to assembled families that the police ‘family’ recognises, appreciates, and empathises with what you are experiencing and will never forget the sacrifices your loved ones made.”

There was silence as petals of remembrance, representing all who have lost their lives, descended from the gallery as the orchestra played Abide with me and the Last Post was sounded.

Canon David Wilbraham MBE, national police chaplain and co-ordinator of National Police Memorial Day, said: “This is the first time the National Police Memorial Day family has been able to gather in remembrance since the pandemic. Today we held those lost in honour - their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”