We are your police service

It is difficult to contemplate the sense of grief being experienced by the Kerr family following the loss of Ronan. I listened to the words of Mrs Kerr and I echo her call that Ronan's death must not be in vain. If ever there was a time that the community needs to fully stand behind its police service, it is now. Ronan was our officer but he was more importantly your officer.

In the Police Service we have lost a colleague – and our pain is immense. There is also shock and great sadness in the community, who have lost a bright young man. Ronan Kerr had been a police officer for 6 months. He had been a member of the community here for the 25 years of his too short life.

I have the absolute privilege to represent an organisation of men and women, like Ronan, whose bravery and commitment continues to astound me. We are men and women who have grown up here; we live here; our children go to school here. We are your police service. We belong to you; we want to protect you; protect your family and protect the future for all of us.

Those people who try to justify these terrible actions, have in the past, spoken of targeting the uniform rather than the individual. I say to them - it is not possible to separate the two.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland will not be deterred from its goal to keep the community safe. I sincerely thank everyone who has spoken out or contacted us with words of support and condolence. The strong united voices of political and community support are critical and a great encouragement to the men and women who, today, are out in your communities delivering your police service.

We know that there must be people within the community who know something about Ronan's murder or something about some other past or planned terrorist attack. Help us to prevent the next son; or daughter being taken from their family. I appeal to you that if you know anything at all, no matter how insignificant you feel it might be, to pass that information to police directly on 8225 6659. I understand there may be some people who are uncomfortable and perhaps do not want to speak directly to the police service. You can also give information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers. Their number is 0800 555 111.