HARPER’S LAW


‘ TOGETHER WE WILL ACHIEVE HARPER’S LAW’


PC Andrew Harper’s life was cruelly taken in August 2019 when he was killed on duty. The Thames Valley ofcer had been married for a month when the tragedy occurred. Here, his wife Lissie speaks about Harper’s Law, her campaign to ensure that those responsible for the death of a police ofcer receive the sentences they deserve


I


remember sitting in court when the verdict came in against those who killed Andrew back in August 2019


and feeling totally helpless. I felt so let down by our justice system and the laws that we have in place. Emergency service workers require extra protection. They are put at risk and into the depths of danger on a regular basis, on behalf of society. We have seen only recently the appalling death of Sgt Matt Ratana. My heart is broken for yet


another member of our blue line family, and all his family, friends and colleagues who must now accept a life without him in it. My thoughts and love are


resolutely with them. Over many years of being the partner of a police officer, I often felt that worry that we all do when they go off to work, knowing the true dangers that they face. The changes in how officers are


protected and the resources they are given have massively changed. They put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public, so we need


to give something back to show we support them. My campaign would not be


where it is today without the incredible help of the Harper’s Law team – Thames Valley Police Federation and Sgt Andy Fiddler. I’d also like to publicly thank Natalie Hill, Wendy Thomas and the top team at Martis Media. All of whom stand with me in fighting this vital mission. I know that if he could, Andrew would join them in being right by my side, fighting for Harper’s Law. He would want me to get this law passed for all who deserve it. The fine legal details are now being worked on by civil servants. We know this won’t happen overnight, but make no mistake, I will not allow this to be kicked into the long grass. 2021 will be another unpredictable


year. But a year that I know will see more of the same compassion and kindness that so many police officers give without expectation. Some of which I myself have been


fortunate to experience. I’ve been overwhelmed with


DID YOU KNOW? Government statistics show that 84 police officers a day are injured in England and Wales. 30,679 assaults last year. There are nearly 1,000 assaults on firefighters and just over 200 reported violent attacks on NHS workers every day. For more on your rights, see – www.polfed.org


14 | POLICE | FEBRUARY 2021


the amount of support I’ve received for Harper’s Law. It’s so clear to see that the people of our country are unhappy with the way we deal with criminals – I’ve been swamped with messages over the despicable outcome following the trial and the subsequent appeal. We all want change, not a small minority of people but hundreds of thousands of people hope to see this law accomplished.


Our petition calling for this


vital law change now has more than 750,000 signatures www.change.org/harperslaw So please, if you have some spare time and you haven’t already, sign and share the petition and ask your friends and family to do the same. We will continue to speak to


and lobby the Home Secretary, the Justice Secretary, the Shadow Home Secretary and MPs of all parties in fighting for appropriate protections for you – our brave police officers. I am grateful to use the pages of POLICE magazine to say thank you to all emergency service workers, many of whom will leave their warm houses today, kissing their families goodbye to head off to work to help and protect us all. I will fervently continue to fight


for the safety and justice that our emergency service heroes so greatly deserve.


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