Page 4 - Federation magazine: April / May 2017

Interim chairman’s introduction
PC Keith Palmer: a brave
of?cer whose sacri?ce
will never be forgotten
“He was someone who left for work today expecting
to return home at the end of his shift and he had
every right to expect that would happen.
Photo courtesy Express & Star Westminster on 22 March 2017.
I think everyone can relate to those
By Tom Cuddeford, interim chairman of
West Midlands Police Federation words but they somehow have added
significance for police officers. Front-line attack of this kind was likely to happen.
Those were the words of the Acting officers never quite know what their shift
Deputy Commissioner of the will bring but they all join up knowing
Metropolitan Police Mark Rowley they could well have to put themselves
speaking just hours after the horrific between the public and life-threatening
stabbing of PC Keith Palmer at dangers.
PC Palmer acted in the finest traditions Station. These despicable acts really
of policing. He faced danger, put himself in meant it had become a case of ‘when, not
harm’s way and sadly made the ultimate
sacrifice.
In the words of MP Tobias Ellwood who
tried to save the brave officer, PC Palmer
‘gave his life in holding the line against
terrorism and defending democracy’.
His bravery will never be forgotten.
Our thoughts are with his family. They
too had every expectation that he would
return from his shift as normal and they
now face the reality of re-building their
lives without him.
The horror we all felt as we realised
the gravity of the incident as news reports
started to filter through is nothing when
compared to their loss, and that of the
families whose loved ones were also killed
in the attack. We extend our sympathies
to them, and we wish those injured, many
04 federation April/May 2017
“
of whom suffered life-changing injuries, a
speedy recovery.
I think as a nation we all knew that an
Our security status was clearly affected by
the terrorist attacks in Paris and elsewhere
in Europe with the Westminster incident
coming a year to the day since the three
co-ordinated suicide bombings in Brussels,
two at the airport and one at a Metro
if’ in terms of the likelihood of a terrorist
attack on UK soil. Yet, the Westminster
atrocity somehow still felt really shocking.
The response from the police and other
emergency service workers was incredible
and it was heartening to hear the words of
praise from the Prime Minister, police
leaders, MPs and the public.
All too often, as police officers we find
ourselves criticised but I think, on this
occasion at least, people were appreciative
of the very real dangers we face and the
incredible role we play in society as we
face danger while others run away.
Days after the attack, it was revealed
that the whole incident – from the time
the attacker drove his car into pedestrians
on Westminster Bridge to when he was
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