National Police Remembrance Day
National Police Remembrance Day (NPRD) is commemorated each year on 29 September, the feast day of Saint Michael the Archangel and patron saint of police. Where NPRD falls on a weekend, it is commemorated on the nearest working day.
This nationally-significant event is an important date on the policing calendar and is conducted simultaneously by all Australasian police services.
It provides an opportunity of solemn reflection and seeks to encourage serving and retired police officers, their families, and the wider community, to honour the memory of all police officers who have died in the performance of their duty to the community.
Those invited to attend this memorial service include senior representatives of federal and territory governments, diplomatic corps, armed forces, law enforcement agencies, emergency services, support organisations within the policing community, families of fallen members; and the wider community of the ACT.
National Police Remembrance Day Memorial Service
Date: Monday, 29 September 2008
Time: The ceremony begins promptly at 5.30 pm
Location: National Police Memorial, Kings Park, Wendouree Drive, Canberra.
Supporting the 2008 service will be the Royal Military College Band, Australian Rugby Choir, the AFP Mounted Cadre, the AFP Pipes and Drums, and ceremonial officers representing all Australian police jurisdictions.
The Memorial is faced with touchstones bearing the names of police officers who have given their lives on the line of duty. Fortunately there are no recent police deaths to acknowledge, but ongoing research of all jurisdictional records has resulted this year in five historical additions to the Memorial's legacy.
AFP members and the wider community are encouraged to show their support for National Police Remembrance Day by wearing the Remembrance Day Ribbon, available from police stations and all major shopping centres in Canberra. Proceeds from ribbon sales go to the Chequered Ribbon Association (ACT) – assisting families of fallen officers.
View the National Police Rememberance Day poster (PDF, 500kB)