Skip Content

Officers thanked for support after Queen laid to rest

Caroline with officer at Op London Bridge

Nottinghamshire Police officers who supported the policing operation for the Queen’s funeral and lying-in-state have been thanked for their support.

Dozens of officers from the force were called upon to support the massive operation in London, which saw around 250,000 mourners attend Westminster Hall to pay their respects, before 2,000 people – including world leaders – attended her state funeral at Westminster Abbey yesterday (Monday 19 September).

Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry also travelled to London over the weekend and took time to speak to some of the Nottinghamshire officers on duty, supporting the Metropolitan Police in keeping people safe.

“It was a real honour to see our officers doing their bit to support with this historic event and ensure that so many people could safely pay their respects in person,” said Commissioner Henry.

“An event on this huge scale takes an incredible amount of planning by the police and it filled me with pride to see how well it was run and how supportive the public was for the reassuring presence of our uniformed colleagues.

“I was fortunate enough to meet a few Nottinghamshire officers who had been watching over people in the queue to see the Queen lying-in-state. Inspector James Gilson, PC Connor Laxton and PC Scott Rossington were at the halfway point - where the public had waited around seven-and-a-half hours into the queue. I saw a little girl offering them chocolates and people were really happy to see them.

“I’d like to thank each of the officers involved for their first-class professionalism, and for representing Nottinghamshire Police admirably at this global event, seen by millions around the world.”

As reported earlier today, a Nottinghamshire police officer stabbed in the line of duty was also representing his county and his colleagues at the Queen’s funeral.

Sergeant Dan Griffin was one of dozens of officers from across the country and the commonwealth invited to line the route of the funeral cortege as it made its way through central London.

The honour came just five months after the experienced neighbourhood officer was stabbed while apprehending a suspect in Nottingham City Centre.

Sergeant Griffin, who has only recently returned to duty, said: “This was a huge honour for me personally and something that means a lot to my family. 

“The Queen was a remarkable woman who has been an ever-present part of the life of every serving police officer in the country.

“Her funeral really was a piece of national and international history and I was just so proud to have been a part of it.”

Chief Constable Craig Guildford said: “All our officers and staff who supported this operation was a credit to the force, from those who travelled out to support the Metropolitan Police, to those who remained in force and worked extra hours to cover for their colleagues and those officers who were sent to support Leicestershire Police following a large outbreak of disorder. It was a great team effort and I’m proud of everyone who played their part.”

 

Posted on Tuesday 20th September 2022
Share this