A campaign to establish a new medal recognizing emergency service workers injured in the line of duty has reached an important milestone, with the proposal having received support from the Honours Committee and now awaiting formal approval from King Charles. The medal aims to honor police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other frontline responders who have suffered injuries while serving the public.
The push for the award has been led for four years by former detective Tom Curry, who was injured on duty himself. Curry expressed optimism following confirmation that the committee behind British honors fully endorses the proposal and has passed it on to the monarch, a step that rarely meets with rejection. He credited the support of MPs Tom Morrison and Matt Vickers, who helped advance the campaign through parliamentary channels, including a motion passed by the House of Commons in November last year backing the creation of the medal.
Policing and crime minister Sarah Jones also wrote to supporters affirming her continued backing for the initiative. Jones has met with Curry and the two MPs several times this year to discuss the campaign’s progress.
The campaign has drawn widespread support from families and colleagues of officers seriously harmed or killed in the line of duty. Debbie Adlam, mother of PC Andrew Harper who died trying to prevent a robbery, emphasized the importance of formally recognizing the sacrifices of emergency workers who are injured. Bryn Hughes and Paul Bone, fathers of police officers Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone who were killed on duty in 2012, welcomed the news, viewing it as a crucial step toward acknowledging the service of those forced into early retirement due to injury.
Others sharing their support included Met Police officer Kris Aves, who was left paralysed by a vehicle attack in 2017, emphasizing the medal’s role in honoring resilience and sacrifice. Pam White, a former police officer injured in the 1983 Harrods IRA bombing, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the longstanding need for official recognition for those hurt in the line of duty.
MP Tom Morrison praised the campaigners’ determination, recognizing the physical and psychological injuries many have endured and the impact on their careers and lives. He noted that the government remains supportive and pledged to continue advocating for the medal’s official institution. Conservative MP Matt Vickers described the committee's positive response as a significant step forward but cautioned that the formal approval process is ongoing and essential before the award can be conferred.
The Home Office acknowledged the importance of recognizing police injured in the line of duty and indicated work continues on determining the most appropriate way to implement the award.
If approved, the medal would provide long-overdue formal acknowledgment of the sacrifices made by emergency service personnel injured while protecting the public. Campaigners hope the earliest awards will be presented soon after final authorization by the King.