Police hypocrisy

whitewave, Yes, I hadn't thought about that. Fair point. I still wonder about the representation from all over the UK and how those Forces are getting by this afternoon. However, taking your point, I think it's probably a good decision to send out that message, irrespective of any difficulties it may cause.

I do take issue with anniebach with her use of the word hypocrisy in any event. I can't see where that does or even could come into it. Surely hypocrisy means that those attending don't really mean the respect and honour they are demonstrating. That's a little harsh, in my opinion.

and me. You know how to shock ana

Well said, whitewave

(I think I may have to go for a lie-down...)

I think it's OTT. There has already been a service for all the victims, including PC Palmer. His funeral should be a private affair, obviously with a police presence and attending senior officers etc.

I hate to say this but the Westminster attack was nowhere near as bad as the terrorist atrocities in Nice and Paris. We have to expect that there will probably be more.

It would not show any lack of respect to be a little more reserved about the poor man's death. He was doing his job and did his country proud.

durhamjen there is only admiration for him here that I can see.
The controversy lies with the force.

I think you may be missing a point here. This funeral is all about 2 messages the first is the funeral of a man who was killed whilst carrying out his duty, and is for his family and close friends, but the second message is all about symbolism. Whether you or I agree it is about showing the jihadi or anyone else who wishes our democracy harm, a show of unity and strength in our community.

It is not saying that this particular officer was any braver than another, nor is it about the actions of the police on the day. It is sending out a clear message that we honour all those who represent our freedom and democracy.

Sorry "an understandable and deserved way to honour" etc in the first sentence.

While my gut reaction is to think that the whole thing is an understandable and deserved to honour what he did, I can 'sort-of' see your point, anniebach. I too wondered about the number of Police Officers going to London for the funeral and the image it conveys. Meanwhile, presumably their areas are struggling to police whatever is happening there. It was stressed several times on the news that there was a difficult balance between honouring him and respecting his family's wishes. I wonder if they had much choice, really. His widow couldn't have been in a position to decide anything. I really hope those taking photos and filming don't aim their cameras at the family, but sadly, I bet they do.

Slightly off your point anniebach, did anyone else notice that in the Police book of remembrance, there was another name of an Officer who had been killed on duty since the Westminster attack? I wonder why that wasn't reported, at least not widely. It would have been good if the reporter had commented that entry at least.

The family have requested no cameras inside for the ceremony.
Lets hope they can say goodbye in peace and privacy.

I hope none of his relatives are on GN.

Ana, Anya, this is not about the police officer it is about the police force using his death

Annie if you think that's what I was saying at 10.18 then I obviously didn't express myself well.
That was not what I meant at all. Degree of bravery does not come into it.

thank you Rosesarered and Niggly, I am sad for the loss of this man's life , for his family, but thousands of police attending? I stand by my first post, it is being used by the met , bet the chief constables phones have been buzzing in every force as they arrange how many officers will attend,

The armed forces and emergency services all have their own funeral traditions for honouring any colleague who is killed in the line of duty. This particular officer was based at the Palace of Westminster, so his body was allowed to rest there. And if off-duty police officers choose to travel to London to line the streets in honour of a murdered colleague, who are we to say they shouldn't?

Does anyone honestly think the families of the other victims would want a public funeral for their relatives?

Everyones life is equally important and I agree with the original post I don't understand why this wonderful policeman should be treated any differently to any other person killed on that awful day or any day A nurse is knocked to the ground by a Saturday night drunk and is killed what is the difference her funeral would pass unnoticed
I don't think anyone's funeral should be for tourists or for show or symbolic to boost the government or police

As above, let him Rest in Peace.
There are questions about the security of the politicians though - maybe for another thread.
ie I read elsewhere that the PM dashed out of the House when the alarm was given, and ran in a panic around the car park looking for her lift. Until she found the right car.

It is all about symbolism. Some I think is over the top, especially the parliament stuff.
But a lot of people, including tourists, seem to love it.

I agree, Anya.

How can the death and funeral of a comparatively young man, with a young family, cause such division?

For heavens sake, let him rest in peace and may his family find some comfort, somehow.

should be the same funerals for all the victims ,the policeman at least was trained for these attacks ,the public weren't.I have police connections too,but I firmly believe they shouldn't be treated differently .The police service is a job they chose ,they know the risks , I dont like all the public grief ,its false and unnecessary,let the family grieve ,they are the people who will live with the loss,not all the thousands jumping on the grief parade that seems to happen more often these days

are you suggesting when your loved ones die you can just flush their ashes down the loo - after all they won't know

That's just plain silly sunseeker. I think you knew that is not what I meant which is the reason for me putting the "honour" in inverted commas. What I meant was "honours" given by the queen and her hangers on (either during life or after death) mean nothing to me and really don't impress me (personally) at all. I would hate my loved ones funeral to be hijacked by politicians and the media.

As I said earlier there are a lot of people who over the years have been killed in the line of duty. (Police, fire, soldiers etc.) Does this mean that the others are less deserving of being "honoured" because they weren't working in London?

I am very sorry about this poor policeman - but also about everyone else who was killed or hurt in this terrible attack. I tend to agree that no-one should be singled out for special mention. I suppose that this is meant to be some sort of morale booster for the population as a whole and is intended to convey a sense of solidarity.

People in all sorts of less high profile jobs put their lives at risk - nurses and social workers come to mind - and their deaths often receive little recognition.

Yes, I agree roses it certainly does bring home the glaring gaps in the way Parliament is protected. Mrs May being hurried first to one car then another was almost unbelievable! A gunman who might well have been previously concealed on a rooftop could easily have killed her. Right old shambles and that's putting it mildly!! As for the funeral, I'm I'm in two minds, I can absolutely see your point of view annie but I suppose this poor chap died defending the H of C, and perhaps that makes a difference I don't really know.

Well, I have mixed feelings about this too ab as both you and I have police family connections it makes us doubly unsure about the tone of all to do with the Police and this poor man who died.As a matter of fact, the police didn't come out of this very well, for all the police on duty around Westminster, it was only chance that the armed police bodyguards around a Minister as he went into Westminster to vote, were there at all!
The two officers, including the one that died who confronted the man with a knife were unable to stop him, one being stabbed and the other one running off to get help.
All the police on duty should have been armed ( MP's voted that option down some time ago) but will presumably re think it now. All the pomp and ceremony now directed at the officer who died may make his family feel better, but is plastering over the cracks of how poor, up to now that Parliament has actually been protected.

The soldier who was hacked to death outside his barracks ?

The met are arranging the funeral and I am speaking of hundreds of police officers from around to country lining the pavements