The Australasian Policing community will gather today to honour and remember the men and women from all policing jurisdictions in the region, who gave their lives in the line of duty or as a result of their duties.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of National Police Remembrance Day through Australia and the Pacific, and the 13th anniversary of the service at the National Police Memorial in Canberra.
National Police Remembrance Day was first declared in 1989 to coordinate the dates Australasian and Pacific police jurisdictions acknowledged the sacrifice given by their members.
The past year has seen the unfortunate loss of Constable Timothy David Proctor from the New South Wales Police Force, and Senior Sergeant Victor Kostiuk and Leading Senior Constable Keith Patterson from Victoria Police. They will be honoured at the ceremony this year with their names added to the National Police Memorial wall.
An additional two historical touchstones will be added on behalf of Tasmania Police.
Australian Federal Police Acting Commissioner Karl Kent said National Police Remembrance Day is a time to reflect on those officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
"Today is about remembering those who sacrificed their lives serving their communities, but we cannot forget their families and loved ones. On a daily basis, they feel the loss of missing a husband, wife, partner, parent, child or friend," he said.
"Policing is a career that calls on members to place service to the community first, ahead of potential risk to themselves, to ensure the safety of others. Policing is a critical part of the fabric of Australian society, and the way of life we all enjoy owes so much to those people forever on the National Police Memorial wall."
At the conclusion of the evening memorial service, there will be 794 names on the National Police Memorial wall.
National Police Remembrance Day is recognised every year on 29 September, but as it falls on a weekend this year, the march and ceremony will take place today (Friday, 27 September 2019).
It is expected police officers from all Australian policing jurisdictions and the South Pacific and Police legatees will march from AFP Headquarters to the National Police Memorial in Kings Park, Canberra prior to the service beginning at 4:30pm today.
This year, the traditional dawn service, commemorating the loss of local police officers of the NSW Police Force and the Australian Federal Police was relocated to the National Police Memorial in Kings Park, Canberra. The service began at 5.30am.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend this year's dusk services at the National Police Memorial in Kings Park, Canberra.
