National Police Remembrance Day
September 29
About National Police Remembrance Day
National Police Remembrance Day is observed on 29 September each year across Australia, New Zealand and the South West Pacific. It is a solemn occasion on which police forces and communities pause to honour officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. In 2026 it falls on Tuesday 29 September, marking the conclusion of the wider Police Week programme of commemoration.
What is National Police Remembrance Day?
National Police Remembrance Day is a formal day of commemoration for serving and former police officers who have died, with particular focus on those killed while performing their duties. It is observed by police services throughout Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and the Solomon Islands. The day is led by police organisations, police associations and unions, and supported by the Police Federation of Australia, with memorial services held in capital cities, regional centres and local stations.
The date of 29 September was chosen deliberately. It is the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels, known as Michaelmas in Western Christianity. Saint Michael the Archangel is venerated as the patron saint of police officers, and his feast day gives the commemoration a long-standing symbolic foundation. The day is non-denominational in practice, bringing together officers, families and members of the public regardless of faith.
When is National Police Remembrance Day?
National Police Remembrance Day is held annually on 29 September. In 2026 it falls on a Tuesday. The date is fixed and does not move from year to year, so it will always be observed on 29 September regardless of the day of the week. It concludes Police Week, a broader period of remembrance and community engagement that in 2026 runs from Saturday 12 September through to the day itself.
Why National Police Remembrance Day Matters
Policing carries genuine risk, and the day gives that reality a place in the public conscience. The National Police Memorial in Canberra commemorates every Australian police officer who has died on duty since 1803, when Joseph Luker became the first Australian police officer killed in the line of duty. More than 800 Australian officers are recognised on the memorial, a figure that grows almost every year as further names are added.
Beyond the statistics, the day matters because it acknowledges the families and colleagues left behind. Each name represents a household changed forever and a community that relied on that officer’s service. The commemoration also strengthens the bond between police and the public they serve, offering a shared moment of reflection that cuts across the ordinary tensions of daily policing. For serving officers, it is a reminder that their service is valued and that those who came before are not forgotten.
How to Get Involved in National Police Remembrance Day
There are many respectful ways for officers, families and members of the public to mark the day.
- Attend a memorial service – Commemoration services are held in most cities and towns, often at police memorials, cathedrals or station forecourts. They are open to the public and provide a dignified way to pay respects.
- Visit the National Police Memorial – The memorial in Canberra is a place of quiet reflection year round, and especially meaningful on 29 September when wreaths are laid and names are read.
- Observe a minute of silence – Wherever you are, pausing for a minute at the time of local services is a simple and powerful gesture of respect.
- Wear a blue ribbon or remembrance pin – Blue is the colour associated with the day, and wearing a ribbon or pin shows quiet solidarity with police and their families.
- Support a police welfare charity – Organisations such as Police Legacy support the families of officers who have died. A donation or fundraising effort helps that work continue.
- Lay flowers at a local memorial – Many communities have local plaques or memorials. Laying flowers is a personal way to honour officers from your own area.
- Share the stories of fallen officers – Reading and sharing the histories of officers who died on duty keeps their service in living memory rather than confined to a list of names.
- Thank a serving officer – A simple word of thanks to local police acknowledges the risks they continue to take on the community’s behalf.
History of National Police Remembrance Day
National Police Remembrance Day was first held on 29 September 1989. It arose from a joint decision taken at the 1988 Australasia and South West Pacific Region Police Commissioners’ Conference, where commissioners agreed that the region needed a shared day to honour police who had died. The choice of Michaelmas linked the new commemoration to the centuries-old association between Saint Michael the Archangel and those who keep the peace.
From the outset the day was designed to be regional rather than confined to a single country, which is why it is marked not only in Australia and New Zealand but also in Papua New Guinea, Samoa and the Solomon Islands. In the years that followed, services grew in scale and formality, and the day became firmly established in the police calendar across the region.
A significant milestone came in 2006, when the National Police Memorial was officially opened in Canberra on 29 September. The memorial gave the commemoration a permanent national focal point, recording the names of Australian officers who have died on duty stretching back to 1803. Today the day sits at the heart of Police Week, a structured programme that includes the Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance, a long-distance motorcycle ride by serving and former officers that converges on the National Police Memorial in the days before 29 September.
Noteworthy Facts About National Police Remembrance Day
- The day has been observed since 1989, following a decision at the 1988 regional police commissioners’ conference.
- It is marked across Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and the Solomon Islands.
- The date of 29 September is the Feast of Saint Michael, the patron saint of police officers.
- The National Police Memorial in Canberra was opened on 29 September 2006 and commemorates officers who have died on duty since 1803.
- The annual Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance sees officers ride to Canberra each year as part of the lead-up to the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Police Remembrance Day?
It is an annual day of commemoration honouring police officers who have died, particularly those killed in the line of duty. It is observed across Australia, New Zealand and the South West Pacific through memorial services and acts of remembrance.
When is National Police Remembrance Day in 2026?
It is held on Tuesday 29 September 2026. The date is fixed each year and coincides with the Feast of Saint Michael.
Why is 29 September chosen for the day?
The date is the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels, Michaelmas in Western Christianity. Saint Michael the Archangel is regarded as the patron saint of police officers, giving the commemoration a long-standing symbolic foundation.
Spread the Word
Help ensure that those who gave their lives in service are remembered by sharing National Police Remembrance Day with your community. Use the hashtags #PoliceRemembranceDay and #PoliceRemembranceDay2026 on social media. A respectful post, a shared service detail or a word of thanks all help keep the memory of fallen officers alive.
Related Awareness Days
- Emergency Services Day – Recognises the dedication of all emergency responders, including police, fire and ambulance personnel.
- Peace Officers Memorial Day – The United States observance honouring law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.
- International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers – Honours those who have served and died protecting peace and security worldwide.
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