Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of the introduction of a recognition of service medal for police officers injured on duty and unable to continue service.

We owe a tremendous gratitude to dedicated police officers for their continued hard work and sacrifice. There is no doubt that police officers who have their service cut short through injury have made, and in many cases will continue to make, an invaluable contribution to the emergency services.

It is right that there are provisions to support police officers who are injured in the line of duty, through the provision of paid leave, the injury benefit scheme and medical retirement where appropriate. Alongside the existing Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, and the King’s Police Medal, work is continuing on an appropriate way to mark the contribution of emergency workers and other public servants who are killed while serving the public. If they are injured or killed while attempting to save the life of another, they may be eligible for a gallantry award.

The Government has no plans currently to introduce a medal specifically for police officers who are injured on duty.