NEWS


FED BACKS HARPER’S LAW CAMPAIGN


The National Federation is supporting Lissie Harper’s campaign for those convicted of killing an emergency services worker to spend life behind bars. She has called on the public and


politicians to back her campaign for ‘Harper’s Law,’ following the death of her husband – hero police ofcer PC Andrew Harper. Lissie (right) is being backed by the Police


Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), Andrew’s father Phil, step mum Karen, his brother Sean and sister Aimee, in her quest. Lissie said: “I hope that by creating a new


‘Harper’s Law’ – that sees any person who commits a crime that results in the death of an emergency worker being jailed for life – that those that have to go through what I have been through in the future get the justice that they rightly deserve.” Newly married Thames Valley Police


ofcer PC Andrew Harper was killed on 15 August last year after an incident involving Henry Long, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole.


The trio were convicted of manslaughter in July but cleared of murder. Long was jailed for 16 years and Bowers


and Cole for 13 years. The Attorney General is currently reviewing their sentences to see if they were too lenient. PFEW National Chair John Apter said:


“Andrew was brutally killed, leaving his wife, loved ones, colleagues and the nation devastated. The killing of a police ofcer should see those responsible face the rest of their lives in prison. This campaign would be Andrew’s legacy and we will continue to support Lissie in her eforts to seek justice and change the law for the greater good.” PC Harper’s Thames Valley Police


Federation colleague Sgt Andy Fiddler, who has been supporting Lissie since Andrew’s death in August last year, said: “We want a new ‘Harper’s Law’ that protects all our emergency services workers that are killed on duty as a result of someone committing a crime.”


“ MY THOUGHTS WENT STRAIGHT AWAY TO ANDREW HARPER’S FAMILY”


I will never forget receiving that phone call in the early hours informing me about PC Andrew Harper. When you hear such devastating news


about a colleague, your blood runs cold. My thoughts went straight away to Andrew’s family. You know their lives will be changed forever. The outpouring of grief and support was massive. Both from the policing family and the wider public. In those desperate times it’s so reassuring to know so many people care - it can’t take the pain away for the family, friends and colleagues of those we lose - but it helps. What makes policing such a


fantastic job is no two days are ever the same. But that also makes it unpredictable and often dangerous. For some colleagues, they make the ultimate sacrifice. Officers like PC Andrew Harper never got to go home after their shift, they gave everything to protect their communities. People join the police


knowing there are risks. Figures show that 85 officers are assaulted every day - that’s 30,000 a year. And those are just the ones we know about. It’s not just the physical injuries – the amount of hidden psychological trauma within policing is a real concern. We are losing too many officers because they are broken; either physically or mentally. Society is dangerous and police


officers are that thin blue line between anarchy and normality. We often face the brunt of the anger and frustration on behalf of the public. And every day, acts of bravery


and selflessness happen. This is the lesson and the legacy of PC Andrew Harper, whose memory will never be forgotten.


John Apter


National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales


SEPTEMBER 2020 | POLICE | 07


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36