The annual Care of Police Survivors (COPS) Unity Tour began on Thursday, July 31 and ran until Sunday, August 3. Durham Police's casualty reduction coordinator, Pete Tate, and retired Inspector, Ed Turner, were among the cyclists who covered more than 250 miles over four days.![]()
The COPS Unity tour (Image: UK Police Unity Tour)![]()
The COPS Unity Tour (Image: Durham Police)![]()
The COPS Unity Tour (Image: Durham Police) Northumbria and North Yorkshire forces also took part and were supported by the Police Federation of England and Wales to raise funds for the COPS charity. The team remembered police officers who have passed away and raised vital funds to support their loved ones left behind.
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The COPS Unity Tour (Image: Durham Police) ![]()
The COPS Unity Tour (Image: Durham Police) This year's ride was dedicated to PC William Shiell and PC Rosie Prior. PC William Shiell, of Durham Police, was shot dead, at 28, after chasing two burglars in Coxhoe, in 1940. The team stopped at the site where PC Shiell was fatally injured and a minute's silence took place.
PC Rosie Prior, 45, of North Yorkshire Police, was struck by a lorry when she stopped to help a broken-down motorist on the A19 at Bagby on January 11, this year. The off-duty officer died at the scene where riders visited on their journey to pay respects to her. ![]()
PC Rosie Prior (Image: North Yorkshire Police) The team reached the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on Sunday, where they were joined by Chief Constable Rachel Bacon, thousands of other riders and families for a special memorial service.
The Police Unity Tour has raised more than ?200,000. ![]()
The COPS Unity Tour (Image: North Yorkshire Police) ![]()
The COPS Unity Tour (Image: North Yorkshire Police) ![]()
The COPS Unity Tour (Image: Durham Police) Ed, who retired last year after serving three decades in the force, has completed the cycle several times. He said: "It's a privilege to return and take part in the COPS ride again, representing Durham Constabulary and remembering our colleagues.
"It feels special every time we reach the arboretum, as hundreds of officers and families of fallen officers come together to commemorate those who paid the ultimate price for protecting their communities."
Pete added: "I'm privileged to be involved in my fifth ride for the COPS charity which we do to honour the sacrifice of those who have died in the line of duty.
"It's an incredibly humbling and emotional experience with the families, friends and police colleagues from across the UK and we will especially be remembering PCs Shiell and Prior this year."
