Police hypocrisy

Yes I agree sunseeker, I think also it's a way of helping people grieve and showing support to people who help protect us. Sometimes a public display is a way of showing we won't be cowed by such attacks.

No Annie no braver . BUT he was part of that 'parishes' workforce. And as Minimouse said its a symbol for all who serve I would have thought. I believe it also allows others to pay their respects which might not have been possible in a smaller church.

Its not for the 'poor guy' Gillybob its for his family, his friends, his colleagues , and even the general public. Its a symbol of respect for the ultimate sacrifice - Protect and Serve.

The point of the honour as I see it gilly is to remind us all that there is a price to be paid for the freedoms which I'm afraid many of us take for granted but which I am sure when we think about it, we are very grateful.
A very heavy price for Keith Palmer and his family.
I loathe the exploitation of such events by the right-wing press, but ironically their freedom to do this is part of the freedom we cherish.
I don't see any police hypocrisy Annie.

"gillybob* Whenever anyone dies they don't know how their remains are dealt with, so are you suggesting when your loved ones die you can just flush their ashes down the loo - after all they won't know.

I don't know about you but to me a funeral service (whether religious or not) is a way of showing respect and honouring the life of the person who has died. In this case it is also honouring all those who die in the line of duty.

What's the point of such an "honour" anyway? The poor guy is dead and will never know.

There are thousands of people who have been killed in the line of duty.

Is it not, perhaps, to be seen as a nod to all police officers?

Behind what?

I sense some media manipulation behind this though not necessarily from the Police. The Daily Fail & Express will no doubt have a jingoistic field day as will Britain First and UKIP.

However I am a cynic.

I would like to think all those who die in the line of duty are honoured. In this case I think it is because, as NanaandGrampy say he served as part of the Westminster Protection Force. I also think he is a symbol of all those who place themselves in harms way trying to protect us from terrorists. Can we not just honour this man for the sacrifice he made.

So police who guard the Palace of Westminster are braver than police who protect the public ? I disagree

Annie It's a valid point that other emergency services should be honoured equaly for the same sacrifice. I believe the queen gave permission for this service because he is deemed to have 'saved her parliament' .
I suppose some will also be asking the question 'how can they spare these hundreds of officers when they say there is a shortage of personnel'. I'm not getting into that one.

Was the honour not accorded to him because he was part of the Specific Westminster Protection Force Annie whose sole job is to protect the MPs etc , not just because he was a police officer fallen in duty?

I suspect if it had been a firefighter in the same squad ( if there is one) he too would have been accorded the same honour.

So I totally disagree with your statement , it's nothing to do with the 'police are wonderful' .

You could give them the benefit of the doubt annie