Praise For The Policing Of The Queen’s Funeral

HAMPSHIRE Police officers’ tireless work at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II was a “testament to British policing”, the Federation has said.

Over 200 Hampshire officers policed the funeral on Monday 19 September, in what Hampshire Police Federation Chair Zoë Wakefield called a “seamless” policing operation.

Zoë said: “As a policing operation it seemed to go seamlessly. We had a lot of officers that had to change their duties and their plans at the last minute, but everyone said: ‘Yes, this is so important, I will change my life around in order to help the force with their part in it’.

“We had some search officers that went away for a week and I think it’s a testament to British policing that, when required, officers will bend over backwards to make sure that this went as smoothly as possible for the Queen.”

Police officers were mobilised from armed response, mounted units, drone and local neighbourhood teams to protect the procession of the Queen’s coffin.

In total, 24,000 barriers covering 36km of the capital were set up. More than 480 coachloads of officers were deployed around London and six feeding centres were set up to sustain the officers, who were provided with 25,000 snack bags, 50,000 bottles of water and 28,000 hot drinks. Welfare vans were also deployed.

Two days before the funeral, His Majesty The King paid a visit to the Met’s Command and Control Centre in Lambeth to thank colleagues for their efforts and support.

The Met described it as a “truly immense operation of huge scale and complexity”.

Tiff Lynch, Deputy National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) said: “As Crown servants, it has been an absolute honour for police officers to be part of this monumental, historic event as we said goodbye to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“Our police officers have done the UK proud with their professionalism, respect and extraordinary efforts, under challenging circumstances for the whole world to see.

“During this incredibly complex operation officers have worked long hours with minimal rest, at short notice, with many having to navigate plans and manage cancelled rest days and time off. It has been a privilege for them and there have been no complaints, but it is important to mention so we can appreciate how hard they have worked to help this monumental part of history come together.”