This month in Parliament, I led a debate calling for an Injury in Service Award – a medal to recognise emergency workers whose careers have been cut short by injuries sustained protecting our communities. I am glad and heartened that the Daily Express is standing shoulder-to-shoulder with us backing this campaign.
Watching from the gallery were dozens of former police officers, firefighters and paramedics who had travelled from across the country. Many had waited decades for this moment.
They left disappointed.
Despite overwhelming cross-party support from 111 MPs and backing from the Police Federation and Fire Brigades Union, the Government minister refused to commit to creating this award.
Instead, we heard the same tired line about “work continuing.” This is not good enough. The unfairness at the heart of this issue demands urgent action.
Let me tell you about Jane Notley, my constituent from Cheadle. Jane had always wanted to be a police officer. When she joined Greater Manchester Police, it was one of the proudest days of her life.
But in 1989, while on duty, she attempted to stop a car thief. He reversed his vehicle into her repeatedly, crushing her legs and leaving her paralysed. She told me he laughed as he did it. The offender was never caught.
After years of surgery, Jane can now walk with the aid of her pink walking sticks. She works as a therapist, still serving her community. But here’s the fundamental unfairness: if you passed Jane on the street today, you would have no idea she bravely put herself in harm’s way. No idea of the sacrifice she made so that we could be safe.
Jane is not alone. There are 800 injured former Greater Manchester Police officers alive today. Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, there are over 16,000 injured former police officers. We don’t even know the total across all emergency services.
The unfairness runs deeper. Many are deprived of long service medals because their careers were cut short by injury. The gallantry award is insufficient – most attacked personnel are ambushed. Through no fault of their own, tens of thousands have no recognition simply because their attackers jumped them from behind.
Consider PC Kris Aves, mown down in the Westminster Bridge terror attack in 2017. He is now paralysed and confined to a wheelchair.
His colleague PC Keith Palmer, who died in that attack, was rightly awarded posthumous honours including the Elizabeth Emblem. But Kris received no medal. Instead, he lost his career.
Or Pam White, who during the IRA attack on Harrods in 1983 guided the public to safety despite her injuries. Those injuries forced her to leave the force. Those killed in the bombing have been awarded the Elizabeth Emblem. Injured officers like Pam are overlooked.
This cannot become an awful game of comparisons. Those killed in the line of duty absolutely deserve recognition. But we cannot allow injured survivors to remain forgotten. These people have suffered gunshot wounds, paralysis, life-changing injuries, and PTSD. Sadly, some have taken their own lives because of the impact their injuries had.
The proposal is straightforward: a public servant, injured on duty, and medically discharged from the service due to that injury. The medal would mean those who made significant sacrifices could wear it proudly, and the public would recognise their bravery and service.
Tom Curry, the former Sussex detective who leads the “999 Injured and Forgotten” campaign, was injured just weeks before reaching 22 years of service. As Tom reminded me: “Patience is a young man’s game.” Many have waited 30, 40, even 50 years.
This proposal reached the Cabinet Office before the general election. But there has been no progress since. Multiple MPs have raised this in Parliament, but the same line is trotted out. With Elizabeth Emblems now being awarded, it is yet another reminder to injured survivors that they are forgotten.
The motion passed on Thursday November 20 with unanimous support. Parliament has spoken. There is no political resistance.
So I say directly to ministers: these incredible people should not wait another day longer. No more committees. No more delays. Get this award off the ground.
These heroes put their bodies on the line for us. They deserve recognition, respect, and they deserve it now.
The gauntlet has been laid down. Now pick it up.
