In May 2003, a group of UK police officers came together to attend National Police Week, in Washington DC, USA. Inspired by their experiences, many of them on their return to the UK began organising, or assisting with, local and national police memorial events or charitable activities.

The Police Unity Memorial Association, PUMA, was eventually formed in 2005 by several of these serving and retired police officers from throughout the United Kingdom.  As an Association we will co-operate with all individuals, charitable bodies and groups provided they are committed to honouring the service and sacrifice of the Police Service, supporting agencies and their dependants.

The term ‘Police Service’ covers members of all police forces in the United Kingdom, past or present, as currently defined in the Police Act 1964, the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 and the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000, officers on overseas or central service who have statutory reversionary rights, special constables and police cadets.