Chief Constable supports call for PM to prevent release of PC Harper’s killers

Chief Constable Jo Shiner KPM has joined police chiefs across the country in calling on the Prime Minister to prevent the early release of the killers of PC Andrew Harper.

An open letter published yesterday evening (11 August) signed by 50 policing and law enforcement leaders from across the UK, welcomed the Prime Minister’s instruction to the Justice Secretary to examine what can lawfully be done to keep those responsible for PC Harper’s death behind bars.

The letter also calls for the introduction of stronger protections for victims and communities when release arrangements involving the most serious offenders change and urges the Government to take full consideration of Harper’s Law, which recognises the exceptional risks emergency workers take while protecting others.

Chief Constable Shiner said: “The tragic death of PC Andrew Harper continues to be felt deeply across policing.

“Having attended the Ceremony of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum to honour colleagues who have died in service just two weeks ago, it was a stark reminder of the risks that our officers, front line staff and other front line workers face every single day.

“Many of my officers and staff come to work to protect the public and help keep our communities safe. It is both right and fair for all of them to expect the support of the criminal justice system when repeatedly putting themselves in harm's way.

"I urge the Prime Minister to not only find a way to keep those responsible for this heinous crime in custody, but also to ensure that other victims of crime are not let down by a system which should have been fixed many years ago.

"It is entirely unacceptable that offenders of serious crimes are being released early, and that their victims are being let down because the prisons are full, when this was foreseeable.

"As one of the signatories to this letter, and having signed the petition, I am hopeful that the right outcome in this case and others will prevail."

PC Harper who served with Thames Valley Police, tragically gave his life on duty protecting the public on 15 August 2019, with two men convicted of his manslaughter the following year.

Read the full letter here: Fifty police chiefs call on PM to prevent PC Harper killers release