Tasmanian police officers will today remember colleagues who have lost their lives while serving and protecting their communities.

As part of National Police Remembrance Day, a commemorative service will be held at the Police Academy, Rokeby. It’s one of a number of services being held around the country today.

In Australia in the last 12 months, two police officers have died in the line of duty.

“In Tasmania we are fortunate not to have lost any of our officers in the line of duty during this time,” said Police Commissioner Darren Hine.

“However, today is a sobering reminder of the how the ordinary can turn into the extraordinary and the potential dangers that officers sometimes face while trying to protect their communities.

“Today we remember our colleagues who have died while on duty as well as our colleagues who have died from illness while a member of Tasmania Police. Our thoughts are also with their families,” Mr Hine said.

Mr Hine said today was also a time to reflect on the hard work and dedication of all officers and the contribution they make to the community.

“The job of a police officer is one that brings great satisfaction but it also brings a number of challenges,” he said.  “I am proud to see our officers delivering a high quality of service to the community.”

As part of this year’s Remembrance Day service, a handcrafted baton from the Wall to Wall Remembrance Ride, which took place earlier this month, will be presented to the Academy.

The ride saw off-duty officers, retired members and family and friends ride their motorcycles from State Police Memorials to the National Police Memorial in Canberra. The batons are engraved with the badge of each police service and have a hollow centre to allow the names of fallen members to be placed inside.