Veterans' voices highlight the life-saving potential of the Forcer Protocol

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne has welcomed Sussex Police’s adoption of the Forcer Protocol, a pioneering initiative designed to improve the identification and safeguarding of veterans who may be at risk of harm.

Designed to save valuable time in high-risk situations, the Forcer Protocol allows families and carers to share essential information about vulnerable veterans in advance, helping police and partner agencies respond swiftly, intelligently and with compassion when someone goes missing.

In this powerful short film, two Sussex veterans share their personal experiences, giving a powerful voice to those who have served and the challenges they can face beyond military life: 

The Forcer Protocol will be launched on 24 July at the West Sussex Armed Forces Conference, where founder Claire Lilly will tell the compelling personal story that inspired the programme's creation.

Claire is the former wife of Lance Corporal Alan James Forcer, a veteran who took his own life after going missing in 2020. Alan had been struggling with PTSD and his death highlighted gaps in support that the Forcer Protocol now seeks to address.

Claire said: “Seeing Sussex go live with this initiative means more to our family than words can fully express.

“This implementation has been built through genuine commitment, compassion and an understanding of the unique challenges faced by those with an armed forces history and their families.

“I want to personally thank everyone involved for the hard work, dedication and belief they have shown throughout this process. Their leadership sets an important example of how organisations can stand beside the armed forces community with action, not just words.”

PCC Katy Bourne said: "Sussex has a proud history of supporting our armed forces community and adopting the Forcer Protocol is a significant step forward in reinforcing that commitment.

"The Protocol helps ensure that veterans can be identified early and supported appropriately, recognising that their experiences may shape the challenges they face.

“No single organisation can meet these needs alone, which is why partnership working is so important. The strength of Sussex lies in our ability to work together and this initiative reflects that shared commitment.

“Claire Lilly's story is a powerful and moving reminder of why this work matters. I want to express my admiration for her courage in turning personal tragedy into something that will help protect and support others.

“I am determined that Sussex continues to learn from experiences like Claire's so that we build systems and services that truly meet the needs of our veterans and their families.”

The launch of the Forcer Protocol in Sussex marks a significant step in supporting the Armed Forces community and reflects a shared commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, raising awareness of veterans' unique needs, strengthening support pathways and ensuring those who have served receive timely, appropriate help when they need it most.