Author: paullander100

I have never completed two triathlons on consecutive days before, until today.

After yesterday’s first, today was going to be a big test of how well I could recover in time to do another, and probably be the first indication of whether the whole challenge – to complete 100 Olympic-distance triathlons in 100 days – is really possible.

So, by the time I got home (midnight) after leaving the NPCC/APCC conference dinner, I was never going to be able to get on track and start the triathlon at 6.30am as intended. So it was almost midday before I was in the pool and off again.

Shortly into the swim I knew energy levels were low. Despite the delicious meal at last night’s event, it was not enough to have restored levels as the only other food all day was a banana and breakfast.

Never mind, I had an energy bar waiting in the locker, would it be enough? As soon as I climbed on the Wattbike in the gym, the bar was gone and I was right to regret not saving any for closer to the run.

Twenty-five miles on a Wattbike is hot work but by the time I put on my trainers, the rain had stopped and I was keen to get outside and cool down. The run seemed to be going fine until 7km in when the lack of energy hit. Taking it steady until the finish, the run was considerably slower than I have ever done 10km, but that was expected, I am not trying to beat any body, just my own.

I am doing this to pay tribute to all the fallen officers who have died on duty, and for those who continue to sacrifice their own safety for our protection.

Today I paid tribute to the following officers who died on November 1:

1839 – Assistant Constable Richard Lawlor – Irish Constabulary

1853 – Police Constable Richard Sunderland – Liverpool Borough Police

1860 – Police Constable Alexander McBrian – Lincolnshire County Constabulary

1878 – Sergeant Jonah Sewell – Lancashire County Constabulary

1892 – Sergeant Michael Rogan – Royal Irish Constabulary

1918 – Police Constable Edward Swan – Metropolitan Police

1920 – Police Constable Peter Cooney – Royal Irish Constabulary

1920 – Sergeant Henry Cronin – Royal Irish Constabulary

1920 – Police Constable George Morgan – Royal Irish Constabulary

1934 – Police Constable Ernest Cummins – Hampshire County Constabulary

1936 – Inspector Evelyn Jenkins – Cardiff City Police

1940 – Police Constable Thomas Farrell – Kent County Constabulary

1941 – Special Constable George White – Norfolk County Constabulary

1952 – Sergeant Charles Moore – Lancashire County Constabulary

1967 – Chief Inspector Sidney Griffiths – West Riding of Yorkshire Constabulary

1971 – Detective Constable Stanley Corry – Royal Ulster Constabulary, GC

1971 – Detective Constable William Russell – Royal Ulster Constabulary, GC

1991 – Police Constable David MacPherson – Avon & Somerset Constabulary

Now for 98 more triathlons to help build a fitting memorial to them and those who continue to serve.

Yesterday saw the launch of my first of 100 triathlons in 100 days for the UK Police Memorial.

After I swam 1,500 metres in a pool in central London, I rode up and down the Thames Path for 40 km and then ran 10 km around St James and Green Park, although the 10 km was split into two runs of 5 km either side of the official launch above at the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners Summit (APCC).

Pictured are Chief Constable Giles York, UK Police Memorial Trustee, Chief Constable Sara Thornton, NPCC Chair, Paul Lander and Mark Burns-Williamson, police and crime commissioner for West Yorkshire and APCC chair.

As I will every day, I paid tribute to the officers killed each day in history.

The reason I chose October 31 was because it was a very poignant and personal day anniversary for me, which I later explained.

On this day, 14 police officers were killed on duty over the last 153 years, making the ultimate sacrifice to keep the public safe. They were:

In 1865, Sergeant John Poole of Birmingham City Police;

In 1875, Police Constable Andrew Hancock of Wiltshire Constabulary;

In 1905, Police Fireman John Burdett of York City Police;

In 1914, Special Constable James Potts, of the Metropolitan Police;

In 1919, Police Constable William Madden, of the Royal Irish Constabulary;

In 1920, Police Constable Ernest Bright, Police Constable Albert Caseley, Police Constable John Evans, Detective Inspector Philip Kelleher, Police Constable William Agar and Police Constable Patrick Waters, all of the Royal Irish Constabulary;

In 1940, Special Constable Charles Bond, of the Metropolitan Police;

In 1942, Police Constable Stephen Huggins, of Kent County Constabulary; and, in 1984, Sergeant John Speed, of West Yorkshire Metropolitan Police

All gave their lives in the line of duty. That duty was to protect the rest of us.

The last officer I named, Sgt John Speed, was shot dead when he went to the assistance of a colleague who was investigating suspicious activity at a car park in the centre of Leeds at 9am in the morning.

I was on duty in the neighbouring Gipton division and was involved in the manhunt for the perpetrator.

This shocking incident made a huge impact on us all and indeed the whole city but brought home the dangers that lurk within many routine calls for service.

Those officers who died were doing the very same thing that tens of thousands of officers are doing today, such as dealing with neighbour disputes, domestic arguments, drug users and people in mental crises, right the way through to arresting violent criminals and terrorists.

I am completing 100 triathlons in 100 days to bring attention and pay tribute to the thousands who have died keeping the Queen’s peace and protecting citizens across the whole of the United Kingdom, but also to express my gratitude to the sacrifice every officer and many members of police staff make when they, without hesitation, perform their duty.

I gave thanks to the organisations supporting my challenge – the NPCC, the APCC, the Police Federation, Police Superintendents Association and Motorola, who have helped purchase vital equipment for the challenge.

Thank you to them and with the assistance of everyone I hope the whole country will say a big thank you for the sacrifices of all police officers and members of staff and we will very soon get this fitting memorial to them built at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

One down, just 99 more to do.

EPIC 100 DAY TRIATHLON CHALLENGE TO BE LAUNCHED AT APCC/NPCC CONFERENCE

THE EDITOR of Police Professional, Paul Lander, is to embark on 100 consecutive days of triathlons in aid of the UK Police Memorial.  The 55-year-old from Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire aims to complete a 1,500m swim, a 40km bike ride and a 10km run every day for over three months, including Christmas Day.

Mr Lander starts his epic challenge on Wednesday, 31^st October from the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and National Police Chiefs’ Council Conference at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster.

Commenting on the biggest challenge of his life, Mr Lander said: “The UK Police Memorial is very dear to my heart. In 1984 when I was a serving police officer with West Yorkshire Police, one of my colleagues Sergeant John Speed was shot and killed outside Leeds Minster, whilst on duty, when he went to the aid of a colleague*.

“His death had a profound impact on the whole city, and brought home how, every day, officers without hesitation step into danger to protect the rest of us.

“John was murdered on 31^st October and I thought that it would be a fitting and personal tribute to him and his family to start my challenge on that day.”

The 100 Day challenge will see Mr Lander swim almost 100 miles, cycle for 2,500 miles and run for over 600 miles.

He has previously taken part in more than 30 triathlons over the last decade, and represented Great Britain in his age group at the 2014 Triathlon World Championships in Canada.

Mr Lander added: “This will be the most difficult challenge I have ever done, but as I begin each triathlon I will read the names of the officers who died on duty on that day. By completing each one I will honour their sacrifice, but also give gratitude to every officer who is out there now protecting the rest of us.”

Sir Hugh Orde, Chair of the UK Police Memorial Trust said: “This is an amazing challenge that Paul has set himself. The Trustees and I are extremely grateful to him for raising funds and awareness of the UK Police Memorial and we wish him every success. We hope that the public will get behind him and support him on his epic journey.”

To sponsor Paul please visit his Justgiving page at www.justgiving.com/paul-lander3

And for further detail about the Memorial please visit www.ukpolicememorial.org              

*Sgt John Speed (39) was shot and killed by David Grice on 31^st October 1984 after going to the aid of a colleague who was fired on during a routine check on two men acting suspiciously.