Police hypocrisy

I've just watched Channel 4 news coverage of PC Parker's coffin and following cars on route to the funeral service. As well as thousands of uniformed officers, interviewers found officers from e.g. Greater Manchester, in plain clothes who'd travelled down to show respect. The pavements were lined with members of the pubic, doing exactly that.
As varian says, even in the 21st century there is a place for symbolism. RIP Pc Parker.

Very well put varian

I think even in our 21st century society, there is a place for symbolism.

PC Keith Parker was a decent man doing his everyday job, a brave man doing his duty to protect parliament. It is right that he should have this honour, not just for the man, but for what he symbolises.

It is especially symbolic that he was an unarmed policeman in our country where most of our police personnel are unarmed.

We should all be proud of him, of our unarmed police force and of the United Kindom.

So BBC news were wrong when they said the number of officers today was unprecedented

retrolady2
Gareth Browning was the Police Officer who died on April 1st, but he had actually been seriously injured in November 2013. I don't think his funeral has been held yet.
I mentioned PC Dave Phillips as his funeral was the last 'big' Police funeral.

It's getting a bit big-brotherish to suggest that a thread should not have been started. Whatever happened to free speech? Of course, there are limits but, in my view, none of the comments on here are so dangerous or offensive as to warrant censorship.

Juggernaut, I don't know about Anniebach, but the Police Officer I was referring to who was also mown down by a stolen car, was after the events at Westminster. It shows up in the book in which the Westminster policeman is remembered. It was on the lunchtime news.

Annibach could it possibly be because the family of the policeman to whom you refer just wanted a private funeral? Unless you are aware of all the facts i think it is unfair to judge.

I'm another one who doesn't think this thread should ever have been started.
However, ABs posting of 17:22 today has made me decide to comment.
If the Police Officer, mown down by a car, who AB is referring to is PC David Phillips, who was killed in October 2015, she is very wrong in her statement that Officers from all over the country did not attend his funeral. Hundreds of Officers turned up in full dress uniform, and there were also very many retirees from all three emergency services present.

Yet didn't attend the funerals of the police officer recently mowed down by a car

We'll - I'm with Anya, Ana and Whitewave on this issue. The police force reflects the society it serves, so of course not all it's officers are wonderful. When a terrorist attack occurs, or bombs are planted/ explode, they are the people running towards the danger while we all run away. Of course I acknowledge the role firefighters, medical staff etc play but it's the police in the front line and first to be criticised when the get it wrong.
My father died twenty years after retiring and wasn't involved in any retired officer groups. Despite this about forty police officers attended his funeral. The GMP flag draped his coffin. These things helped my mother and all the family appreciated his police family uniting to recognise his death. So I don't criticise the Met, one of the senior officers spoke soon after the officers death of the Met family, the loss of one of their own.
Thousands of officers came from the rest of the country to line the route for the funerals of the two young policewomen murdered in the line of duty in recent times. It's a tradition.

According to the wife of a serving Essex police Officer a lot of the officers from other forces are on their rest days or otherwise off duty and they choose to attend to show respect for a fallen colleague.

I understood it was to be a private cremation aferwards.

No, I really do feel sorry for her starting in the job today. I suppose it will make her remember what public service is all about.

^ His funeral should be a private affair, obviously with a police presence and attending senior officers etc^
Merlot I feel sure that had the family wished his funeral to be private, that would have been respected. There could have been a memorial service at a later date for the public and police forces to pay their respects.

I feel sorry for the new Met commissioner, too. Her first day in the job.

Jen is that just a figure of speech, or do your really feel sorry for her?

Come on show some respect for the policeman and his family! It was sad other people also lost their lives but the police put their lives on the line every day especially in the major cities. My son works in the Met. when I heard a police officer had been killed I worried sick until I heard from his wife he was ok.
For Gods sake let him rest in peace and don't begrudge a brave man this honour. Anniebach our police are wonderful !!

This thread should never have been started

I agree, Anya.

Well said whitewave , totally agree.

The PM didn't dash out of the House in all directions as implied. She was ushered out by her security guards who then failed to guide her to the correct vehicle, causing confusion and potentially a very serious calamity. I can only imagine that this idiotic situation has been dealt with and any confusion by security made crystal clear. I don't think any of us would wish to see any minister who ever they are gunned down due to a security lapse.

Annie you are just as guilty about 'using his death' or in this case his funeral. I'm surprised at you.

This thread should never have been started

I feel sorry for the new Met commissioner, too. Her first day in the job.

I don't have a problem with the late PC's body having rested at the Palace overnight - the building is a national symbol and where he was attacked and died. Also, isn't there always an organised national turn-out for police officers killed on duty?

I do understand the distaste at top-brass (police chiefs, politicians, etc) making a public spectacle of a family tragedy.

I'm as surprised as anyone that not all police officers are armed at Westminster, given its vulnerability and symbolism. Most embassies have armed police standing outside; as have many political 'has-beens' who've held high office.

I really should check that I've said all I want to before pressing Ctrl-Enter ...

Having been a secretary with the Police back in the 1970s, I know full well that our Police per se aren't necessary wonderful. Most are; some aren't, sadly. However, what is wonderful is that we have a Police Force, most of which are doing a job which we wouldn't do, or want our loved ones to do, putting their lives at risk and, generally, giving us a sense of security and safety. I don't think anyone joins the Police initially if they don't want to do just that. So hypocrisy - I don't think so, anniebach.

I still hope his mum is not a member of GN, Nina.
There should be no controversy over this.
I think Tony Benn was the last person to lie overnight in the Palace of Westminster.
I don't think he or his family would object.