A SERGEANT from Wiltshire Police will be representing the county's officers and force staff at the Queen's funeral.
Sgt Russ Griffin will go to London and attend the funeral procession for Queen Elizabeth II on Monday.
He will be in full dress uniform and stand in a prominent location lining the route that the funeral procession will take from Westminster Hall, where she is lying in state, to the nearby Abbey.
Sgt Griffin said: “I am incredibly honored and immensely proud to be asked to represent Wiltshire Police.
“Her Majesty The Queen is a hugely important figure to any police officer. At the start of their careers, every officer declares that they will ‘well and truly serve the Queen in the office of constable’.
“This is a fundamental cornerstone of British policing and for 22 years I have been a servant of the Crown.
“Monday will be an emotional but incredibly proud day for me representing every police officer and every member of Wiltshire Police.
“Together, we offer our profound and sincere condolences to the Royal Family as we all draw upon the inspiration provided by Her Majesty’s exemplary public service and duty.”
Each police force has been extended this opportunity.
Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said: “Russ will represent all of our officers, staff and volunteers here in Wiltshire who, like the communities we serve, are still feeling a profound sense of loss and sadness.
“Although, understandably, there will be a focus on London this weekend and on Monday, I would like to reassure our communities here that we have longstanding plans in place to anticipate and manage the level of demand that we might see across the county.
“Working with others, we are ready to play our part and ensure the safety of the public.
“Finally, I would continue to encourage our communities to engage with my officers and staff out in your communities over the weekend and on Monday – we are all in this together.”
The state funeral at Westminster Abbey is likely to be one of the biggest single ceremonial events staged in Britain since World War Two.
It will begin at 11am and a national two-minute silence will be held as the service draws to a close just before midday.
After the Abbey service, the Queen's coffin will be carried in another procession to Wellington Arch and then be conveyed to Windsor before a committal service takes place at 4pm at St George's Chapel.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here