A memorial service will be held today at Southwark Cathedral for the chairman of the Police Federation, Paul McKeever, who died in January after suffering an embolism. The 57 year-old had been about to retire.
Mr McKeever started his career in the Metropolitan Police in 1977 and later became a sergeant in Bromley Borough. He was elected to the Police Federation in 1992 and became its chairman in 2008.
The chairman of the national Police Federation Paul McKeever died from a suspected embolism, the organisation has said:
I am terribly saddened to announce that Paul McKeever, Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, died last night.
He was admitted to hospital a few days ago and sadly collapsed with a suspected embolism.
We await further details, however my deepest sympathy and that of the entire Police Federation, is with his wife and family at this time.
He was a truly outstanding Chairman, and most importantly a truly outstanding police officer and man.
A true gentleman, his leadership and reputation will be remembered highly by all those who knew him.
The Metropolitan Police Federation has announced that the outgoing national chairman Paul McKeever has died:
– Metropolitan Police Federation chairman John TullyIt is with profound sadness that we have today learned of the sudden death of our colleague and National Federation Chairman, Paul McKeever.
Paul was a serving Metropolitan officer and was on the verge of retiring from the service after more than 30 years.
Sincere condolences go to Paul’s family, colleagues and friends at this very sad time.
Police say they fear a repeat of last summer's riots - but that they won't have enough resources to cope with it - according to a new study.
Read the full storyPaul McKeever, Chairman of the Police Federation, has urged the government to take "urgent stock" of the results of a new study into the London riots.
He said that police would struggle to cope with further disorder if proposed austerity measures went ahead.
– Paul McKeever, Chairman of the Police Federation."This comprehensive analysis demonstrates what we have been telling the Government for two years now; that a 20% budget cut to policing will have a negative impact on public safety and that police numbers really do matter.
"Officers interviewed rightly identify and voice concern that, should the same circumstances occur again, the police service would struggle to cope and contain the situation with the loss of police officers numbers we are experiencing as a direct result of the cuts - over 5,000 last year alone."
The Police Federation which represents officers across the country has said it will hold a protest in Central London to campaign against reforms to police pay and conditions which were published last week. It said the protest would take place ahead of the federation's annual conference in May.
