Police remember those lost in duty

More than 50 people gathered at Collie Police Station on Friday to remember fallen police officers.

It was the first time the station had held a National Police Remembrance Day ceremony.

The annual event honours police who have died in the line of duty.

Collie police Sen. Sgt Heath Soutar opened the ceremony before retired Aboriginal police aide Joseph Northover presented the Welcome to Country.

Officers were then called forward to present the traditional offerings followed by the reading of the Remembrance Address – a list of police members who gave their lives in the course of their duty.

Sen. Sgt Soutar said it was a fantastic turnout for the historic event.

“To see members of the community, emergency services personnel and also retired police officers – and some of the serving police officers who weren’t working today – turn out for this event was great to see,” he said.

“I know they held a service in Bunbury last week but I think it is important we try and get the message out to the community that we basically put our lives on the line every time we don the blue suit.

“Our aim is to keep the community safe and secure but in doing that, unfortunately, a lot of police officers have lost their lives.”

Sen. Sgt Soutar said the success of the event was encouraging.

“It was great to see members of the community that don’t have any association with the police turn up,” he said.