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National Police Remembrance Day: Remembering Service, Sacrifice and Those Who Carry the Loss
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
29 September 2026
AAMHP honours fallen police officers and recognises the families, colleagues and communities who continue to carry their memory
The Australian Association of Mental Health Practitioners (AAMHP) joins Australians today in observing National Police Remembrance Day, honouring police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty or as a result of their service.
Observed each year in late September, National Police Remembrance Day provides an opportunity for police, families and communities to pause and remember those whose service came at the highest cost. The National Police Memorial in Canberra and others around teh country per state, commemorates officers from Australian policing jurisdictions who have died on duty or as a consequence of their duties, while services are held around the country.
AAMHP Chair Shane Warren said remembrance should begin with the officers whose lives were lost, while also recognising the circles of people around them whose lives were permanently changed.
“Behind every name on a police memorial is much more than a uniform or a moment of service. There is a person, a family, colleagues, friends and a community who remember the life that was lived and the loss that followed.” [Shane Warren]
“National Police Remembrance Day asks us to stop for a moment and recognise that some people go to work knowing they may be required to step towards situations from which the rest of us instinctively step away.” [Shane Warren]
Policing can involve repeated exposure to violence, serious injury, death, human distress and unpredictable potentially traumatic events. NSW Police, for example, maintains psychological first aid, counselling, peer support, specialist mental-health clinicians, treatment and recovery services and family support for employees affected by the demands of police work.
AAMHP Secretary Susan Sandy said the psychological consequences of critical incidents may also be experienced across teams and families.
“When an officer is killed or seriously harmed, the impact does not end at the scene. Colleagues may have witnessed the event, responded to it or known the officer personally. Families may suddenly find themselves carrying grief alongside the very public circumstances in which their loved one died.” [Susan Sandy]
“Remembrance is important because it says those lives matter, but it also tells the people left behind that their grief and their experience have not simply disappeared from view.” [Susan Sandy]
AAMHP recognises the work already undertaken within Australian police organisations to strengthen psychological support for serving officers, former officers and families.
Police services around the country provide a range of wellbeing services including 24-hour incident support following potentially traumatic events, confidential Employee Assistance Program counselling, embedded mental-health clinicians, peer support, chaplaincy and specialist treatment and recovery services.
Shane Warren said supporting police wellbeing should be understood as part of supporting the communities officers serve.
“There is sometimes a temptation to imagine police officers solely through the authority of the uniform. Underneath it is a human being who sees things, absorbs experiences, goes home to families and carries memories just like anybody else.” [Shane Warren]
“Caring about police wellbeing does not prevent us from having important conversations about policing, accountability or community relationships. A mature community should be capable of doing both, expecting high standards from those entrusted with authority while also recognising their humanity and the risks associated with their service.” [Shane Warren'
National Police Remembrance Day has particular significance throughout Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and the Solomon Islands. In NSW, police gathered at the Domain in Sydney on 29 September 2026 to honour fallen colleagues, alongside commemorations elsewhere across the country.
AAMHP extends its respect to serving and former police officers, police employees, families, Police Legacy organisations, chaplains, peer supporters, mental-health professionals and others who support members of the policing community through loss, trauma and recovery.
Susan Sandy said remembrance should also remind communities of the importance of looking after those who continue to serve.
“We honour those we have lost, and we should also remain attentive to those who continue carrying difficult experiences quietly. Early support, trusted colleagues, professional care and families who feel supported themselves can all form part of a healthier policing community.” [Susan Sandy]
Today, AAMHP pauses with police services, families and communities across Australia.
We remember the officers who did not return home.
We acknowledge those who loved them.
We recognise colleagues who carry their memory.
And we offer our respect to those who continue to serve.
Their service is remembered. Their lives are remembered. And those who carry their loss should be remembered too.
Media Contact:
Shane Warren, Chair
Susan Sandy, Secretary
Philip Armstrong, CEO
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