National Police Service Medal

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Minister for Home Affairs - Media Release

Sunday 14 December 2008

NEW POLICE MEDAL FOR DILIGENT SERVICE

The Rudd Government has announced a new National Police Service Medal which will be awarded to State, Territory and Federal Police in recognition of long and diligent service.

The Minister for Home Affairs, Bob Debus, said the medal recognised the special status police had because of their role protecting the community.

?This new medal shows our continuing support for the work done by the 50,000 men and women who place their own safety at risk to protect our quality of life, security and freedom.

?I would also like to acknowledge the work done by the Police Federation of Australia, which consistently raised the issue with me on behalf of its members,? Mr Debus said.

Cabinet Secretary, Senator John Faulkner, said the Queen had approved the establishment of a separate medal in the Australian honours system.

?Recognition for police service since the establishment of Australia?s national system of honours and awards in 1975 has been through the National Medal.

?The National Medal will continue to recognise long and diligent service by members of organisations that help the community during times of crisis, including fire, ambulance, emergency and voluntary search and rescue organisations,? Senator Faulkner said.

The Chief Executive of the Police Federation of Australia, Mark Burgess, said the decision would be welcomed by members.

?It is a tangible acknowledgement by the Government of the unique role that police officers play in the preservation of peace, the protection of life and property and the maintenance of law and order throughout Australia,? Mr Burgess said.

Police will have to serve a minimum of 15 years to be eligible and consultation will now commence to determine the eligibility criteria and medal design.

Eligibility for the award will commence 30 October 2008 and it?s expected the first awards will be made in the second half of 2009.

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Information on the National Medal.

(Source: www.itsanhonour.gov.au)

Significance

The National Medal recognises long and diligent service by members of recognised organisations that help the community during times of crisis.

This includes government organisations such as ambulance, correctional, emergency, fire and police forces, and voluntary organisations such as lifesaving or search and rescue groups.

The National Medal is Australia?s most awarded civilian medal.

History

The National Medal was established in 1975 as one of the first three elements of the Australian honours system.

When the medal was first introduced it recognised 15 years of diligent service by members of the Australian Defence Force, Australian police forces, and fire and ambulance services.

In 1982, eligibility changed. The Defence Force Service Awards were introduced recognising long service in the Australian Defence Force. Eligibility for the National Medal progressively expanded to include people who had participated in part-time and volunteer service, members of the Australian Protective Service and correctional and emergency services.

In 1997 the government commissioned a review of the National Medal. Two significant features were added:

• eligibility was extended to include members of qualifying volunteer search and rescue groups
• provision was made for an individual?s service to be aggregated more easily across different qualifying organisations

The new regulations were formally introduced on 18 June 1999 by Letters Patent.

How it is awarded

The Governor-General awards the National Medal. Nominations are made by the chief officer of the nominee?s organisation. The chief officer of each approved organisation also administers the medal for that organisation. If you consider you are eligible for the National Medal contact your chief officer.

The award recognises long service in approved organisations that protect life and property at some risk to their members.

Many, but not all, eligible groups are uniformed. Fifteen years? service is required to qualify. Clasps are available for each additional ten years? service.

Medal design

National Medal - front and back

The National Medal is a circular bronze medal ensigned with the Crown of St Edward. The front of the medal features the Commonwealth Coat of Arms in a recessed circle. The rim of the medal carries the inscription ?The National Medal?.

The back of the medal is plain.

The medal was designed by Mr Stuart Devlin AO CMG.

Medal ribbon

The 32 millimetre-wide ribbon features 15 alternating gold and blue vertical stripes.

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