Officer honoured to attend Her Majesty’s funeral procession

A Kent Police officer has spoken of her pride at being among those honoured to take part in the Queen’s funeral procession.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest on Monday 19 September 2022 after an historic 70-year reign as monarch, with public servants including police officers from across the Commonwealth invited to attend.

Detective Inspector Danni Driscoll of the Chief Constable’s Crime Squad was selected to represent Kent Police at the occasion.

Privilege

She said:

‘It was such a privilege to be asked to attend the Queen’s funeral procession on behalf of the force and of course I said I would love to.

‘I don’t think the experience has really sunk in yet but it was so humbling to be involved. Myself and the other police officers took part in the parade down The Mall early on the day of the funeral and it really brought everyone together. I was then stationed outside Buckingham Palace for the day and it was just great having the chance to engage with the public and other guests.

‘As police officers we are all here to serve the public but for the Queen it was her whole life. She displayed such tremendous leadership and dedication for 70 years and was a fantastic role model for us all. She will be dearly missed.’

The Chief Constable’s Crime Squad is a team of detectives dedicated to bringing some of Kent’s most harmful criminals including burglars and robbers to justice. Since the team was formed in 2019 it has secured a total of more than 1,000 years in prison sentences for those they have arrested and charged.

Before joining the Crime Squad, DI Driscoll served in other detective teams in addition to being a staff officer to the force’s senior leadership.

Epitome of public service

Chief Constable Alan Pughsley said:

‘Her Majesty The Queen was the epitome of what public service is all about and I wanted someone with similar qualities to represent Kent Police at her funeral procession.

‘I have never heard anything less than the highest of praise for DI Danni Driscoll throughout her career. She represents everything that is great about policing and that includes being professional, dedicated and committed.

‘She is an outstanding public servant and I was very pleased to offer her the opportunity to take part in this most historic of occasions, to pay our respects to Her Majesty and say thank you on behalf of Kent Police.’