Tribute To PC Nicola Hughes From Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy.Tribute To PC Nicola Hughes From Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy.
Constable Nicola Hughes joined
Greater Manchester Police on 3rd August 2009.
She was then only twenty one years old which many will
recognise as young for a recruit today but it shows she impressed the selection
panel with her readiness for the challenge ahead.
Despite her young years, she was incredibly
mature, something that was recognised and reported upon by her former College
tutor, Tim Thompson, who stated that Nicola was mature beyond her years,
displaying high levels of initiative when working in a team or as an individual.
He also said that Nicola had a great sense of humour, was always polite and
cheerful.
Nicola spent her service first as a
neighbourhood officer and then as a response officer on C relief at Tameside
Division.
She set high
standards for herself and impressed everyone with her dedication and her
cheerfulness. She had huge amounts of energy and initiative.
Nicola's family talk of that
proud moment which all police officers will remember when you bring your uniform
home for the first time and put it on to show your family and have photographs
taken. And you wonder whether you will up be able to meet the standards the
public expect of that uniform, will you be able to fill those boots - in
Nicola's case there was never any doubt.
She showed herself highly capable in situations of disorder,
brave when searching apparently unoccupied premises and going into the unknown
but on the other hand showed great compassion to victims of crime and on one
occasion stopped her police van to rescue a mouse being fought over by two cats.
Nicola stepped forward to
become a police officer knowing full well the risks involved given that her
father Bryn is a prison officer. She decided not to be a bystander but to join
the fray.
Nicola like
Fiona had many of the qualities we see in our young police officers and in young
people in general. They do not have the prejudices and hang ups of my generation
and take people as they are whatever their background. They have a great skill
for communicating, showing compassion and empathising with the experience of
others. They have great patience. They are great at making friends and keeping
them. Nicola showed all these qualities.
Nicola signed up to the police service knowing that she would
put herself in danger. She understood that the unarmed status of British
policing is not some tactical option or us holding on to an historic tradition
now out of date. She understood it is central to our commitment to the minimum
use of force to our relationship with the public and to serving citizens rather
than controlling them as some arm of the state
As Sir Robert Peel laid down in 1829 "by ready offering
of individual service and friendship to all members of the public without regard
to their wealth or social standing, by ready exercise of courtesy and friendly
good humour; and by ready offering of individual sacrifice in protecting and
preserving life." Nicola made that sacrifice
In his sermon at the national Police Memorial Service the
Archbishop of York said that peace-making is a costly business and that those
who work to bring justice bear the wounds of love in doing so. Nicola sadly died
from those wounds through her own devotion to others
Nicola in her dedication and professionalism
in the way she carried out her duties showed that policing is not about muscle
but is about reason, restraint and intelligence. She had a promising career
ahead of her but was driven not by personal ambition but by service to the
public in need.
It is
abhorrent that she met her death through an evil, dark act but the best tribute
we can make to her memory is that we continue to uphold the standards and the
style of policing she demonstrated so well and ensure that might does not
conquer over justice.
It is clear
from every conversation we have with them that her family were so proud of
Nicola. She was a fighter whether engaged in her favourite sport of karate or
fighting for justice for a victim of crime. Nevertheless it is her warm smile
and her gentleness that stand out from every picture of her. She will be greatly
missed by everyone that knew her. We will never forget her great
sacrifice.
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Tony Horne
