Rachael Harrison is a former Contact Handler and now News and Public Affairs Officer at Staffordshire Police and has been exploring for Policing TV the people and work involved in the annual Police Unity Tour cycle ride, which this year takes place from August 1-3.
Here she talks to Sergeant Andy ‘Swifty’ Swift from the Metropolitan Police. Andy is one of the founders of the UK version of the tour, which has grown from humble beginnings in 2013 to an annual challenge now taken on by hundreds of police officers, staff and members of the public to raise awareness of those lost in service and to generate funds for the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) charity.
Andy reflects on the Unity ride’s US origins, discusses the challenges involved, the importance of support from the wider ‘universal’ policing family for those who have lost loved ones in the line of duty and the very real impact the tour has had on individuals, or survivors, not only from the UK but from across the globe.
If you would like to take part in this year’s UK Police Unity Tour you have until May 31 to register, which you can do here: https://ukpoliceunitytour.org/
To learn more about the work of COPS, visit: https://ukcops.org/
Takeaways
- The Police Unity Tour raises awareness and funds for fallen officers.
- The tour started in the US in 1997 and has grown significantly.
- Participants wear bracelets engraved with the names of fallen officers.
- The event fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among police officers.
- The tour has expanded to include multiple rides across the UK.
- It provides a platform for personal healing and remembrance.
- The funds raised support the Care of Police Survivors charity.
- The organization of the tour requires extensive planning and coordination.
- The event is a way to honor the sacrifices of police officers.
- The tour is open to new participants and continues to grow each year.
Sound Bites
- “The camaraderie is infectious.”
- “We beat that by the eighth year.”
- “It does get bigger every year.”
- “There’s a lot of organization that goes into it.”
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to the Police Unity Tour
02:55 – The Origins and Growth of the Tour
05:57 – The Significance of the Memorial Bracelets
08:58 – The Impact of the Tour on Participants
12:01 – Organizational Aspects and Future Plans
We have launched a YouTube channel where you can also view our videos – just click here and please like and subscribe PTV Youtube
PolicingTV content is being brought to you in partnership with World Policing Advisory & Vantaset
World Policing Advisory is a global consultancy specialising in the future of policing and public safety. We offer global policing expertise, delivered locally through a model focused on consulting with conscience.
Our teams have direct experience of strategic and tactical policing and private sector leadership, blended with the globe’s best subject matter expertise to create high impact value for money services with in-year benefits.
For more information contact our MD, Gary Stuart ([email protected])
Vantaset delivers strategic alignment and performance software, transforming organisations and the way they work,
Vantaset helps organisations transform their impact and competitiveness by delivering
Better performance and productivity. Better staff engagement & Better stakeholder outcomes
For more information click here www.vantaset.com