Police from across Australia will gather this week to honour their fallen colleagues for National Police Remembrance Day.
National Police Remembrance Day is an honoured occasion, observed across Australia on the 29th of September. This year, in line with other states and jurisdictions, the Victorian march and service for National Police Remembrance Day will be held on Friday 27 September.
The service will honour and remember the 175 officers killed since Victoria Police was established in 1853.
A commemorative march will commence at Princes Bridge on Friday at 10am and proceed down St Kilda Road to the Victoria Police Memorial, with a formal remembrance service to begin at 10:20am.
The 14 police, protective services officers, police custody officers and Victorian Public Service employees who died through illness or other circumstances in the last year will be included in the commemorations.
Services will also be held this week in towns and suburbs across the state including Ararat, Ballarat, Bannockburn, Bendigo, Colac, Geelong, Hamilton, Horsham, Kew East, Mansfield, Mildura, Rosebud, Sale, Shepparton, Springvale, Sunshine, Traralgon, Warrnambool and Wodonga.
Dates, times and locations for all regional services are listed on the Victoria Police website.
National Police Remembrance Day coincides with Blue Ribbon Day, an initiative of the Blue Ribbon Foundation which raises money for new and improved emergency facilities in Victorian public hospitals that are then named in memory of fallen officers.
For more information about National Police Remembrance Day, including details of regional services visit https://www.police.vic.gov.au/national-police-remembrance-day-and-memor…
Quotes attributable to Chief Commissioner Shane Patton:
"National Police Remembrance Day is an important opportunity for our policing family to pause and pay tribute to the 175 officers who have tragically died in the line of duty.
"It is also a time to remember Victoria Police colleagues who have lost their lives over the past 12 months through illness or other circumstances.
"On National Police Remembrance Day, we reflect on the sacrifices made by thousands of dedicated police who wear the uniform every day and come to work to protect others.
"We will always value the bravery, service and commitment of members who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while protecting their community.
"They will never be forgotten."
