National Police Memorial Day (NPMD) was founded by now retired Inspector Joe Holness QPM OBE following the brutal killing of fellow Kent Police officer Jon Odell, in Margate, December 2000.

An official annual national day, NPMD provides a dignified and sensitive service of remembrance to honour the courage and ultimate sacrifice of police officers throughout the United Kingdom.

Since an Act of Parliament in 1792 which created the first salaried Constables, more than 4,000 police officers have been killed on duty, often in brutal circumstances. For those brave souls to be remembered, on at least one day, was long overdue.

They did not die in vain but leave a legacy. Their selfless devotion to duty, and supreme valour are and example to us all - affirmation that that the British police service is the best in the world.

NPMD is supported by Royalty, Government and UK police services. The magnitude of the day is exemplified by having royal patronage.

NPMD rotates round each of the four countries in the United Kingdom and is held on the closest Sunday to 29th September - St Michael's Day, the Patron Saint of policing.

The inaugural Service was held at St Paul's Cathedral on Sunday 3rd October 2004. Subsequent Services have been each year in Cardiff (2005), Belfast (2006), Edinburgh (2007), Liverpool (2008), Cardiff (2009), Belfast (2010), Glasgow (2011), York (2012), Cardiff (2013), Belfast (2014), Edinburgh (2015), London (2016), Glasgow (2017), Belfast (2018), Glasgow (2019), Online (2020), and Lincoln (2021).