The former chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has once again been commemorated at a national lecture.

More than 100 members from police forces across the country attended the third Paul McKeever lecture, which was hosted by Keith Vaz MP, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, at the House of Commons.

Paul passed away suddenly in January 2013, aged 57 and just weeks before he was due to retire.

He was appointed as PFEW chairman in May 2008 and during his Federation career took an active interest in discipline, equality and health and safety. A commemorative lecture has been held in his name every year since his death.

The event was opened by Mr Vaz, who welcomed all those present, especially Paul’s close family, as well as representatives from the policing family including Steve White, current chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales.

The main lecture was delivered by Lynne Owens CBE, the director general of the National Crime Agency (NCA), and covered two key themes: that the NCA is most effective when working in partnership with others and the importance of protecting the public and building trust and confidence in the service that we provide.

Extracts from the poem If by Rudyard Kipling were referred to throughout her lecture. The poem was read out at Paul’s memorial service.

Paul joined the Metropolitan Police in 1977 at the age of 21 and on completing his training served in Lambeth Borough until 1989 and policed the Brixton Riots in 1981 and 1985.

He was elected to the Federation in 1992 and was chairing the Federation’s sergeants’ committee when he became a late contender for the high profile post of chairman in 2008.

During his term of office he fought a series of Government reforms, including the reduction of a constable’s pay to £19,000.

In his closing remarks, Mr Vaz commented that Paul wanted to continue to contribute to policing in some way when he retired. And it is hoped these lectures will be something that Paul would be proud of.

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