A service in honour of National Police Remembrance Day will be held at the South Australia Police (SAPOL) Academy at Taperoo today. It will honour and remember the 61 dedicated SAPOL members, and those from other Australasian jurisdictions who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The service will take place at 11am at the South Australia Police 'Wall of Remembrance' – located at the Police Academy.
Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens said National Police Remembrance Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the dangers of the policing.
"Today we recall the unquestionable dedication to our profession and the community by police members who made the ultimate sacrifice while on duty," Commissioner Stevens said.
"National Police Remembrance Day is one of the most important days on the policing calendar. It was first held in 1989 and is commemorated annually on the feast day of Saint Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of police."
Minister for Police Joe Szakacs said National Police Remembrance Day is an important day to acknowledge officers who never came home.
"It is no secret that policing can be dangerous. Today we honour those who sacrificed themselves to protect their community," Minister Szakacs said.
"It is also an important opportunity to recognise the crucial role police play in our community, thank them for all that they do for us and remember those who fell in the line of duty."
The ceremony will also remember Senior Constable Bria Kathleen Joyce from Victoria Police and First Constable Neil Maino from Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary who died in the previous 12 months.
The ceremony will be hosted by the Commissioner of Police, Grant Stevens and conducted by Police Chaplain, Pastor Mark Kleeman. Invited guests will include Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Hon Joe Szakacs MP, Mr Tim Whestone MP, Shadow Minister for Police and Community Safety and representatives from defence, government, emergency services and support agencies.
National Police Remembrance memorial services will also be held today at Banrock Station, Mount Gambier, Port Augusta and Port Pirie.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is holding a ceremony at 3.00pm (ACST) which will be livestreamed and can be viewed by visiting https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/3r9MCyoNNJt7LP3JtQ5n_u?domain=vimeo.com
A number of venues and locations across the city will be lit in blue and white tonight as show of support and acknowledgement of this day. These locations and venues are:
*Adelaide Oval
*O'Bahn entrance
*Parliament House
*Riverbank precinct footbridge
