National Police Service Medal
| National Police Service Medal | |
|---|---|
 
Medal and Ribbon
|
|
| Awarded by Commonwealth of Australia | |
| Type | Service in the Office of Constable |
| Eligibility | Sworn members of all Australian police forces |
| Awarded for | 15 years "ethical and diligent service" on or after 14 February 1975, or for a lesser period if that service was terminated due to the member's death, or to an impairment related to the discharge of their duties as a Constable of Police |
| Status | Currently Issued |
| Clasps | None |
| Post-nominals | (no post-nominal entitlement) |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 9 November 2010 |
| First awarded | 19 September 2011 |
| Total awarded | 26,000 (July 2013) |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Civilian Service Medal 1939-1945 |
| Next (lower) | Polar Medal |
The National Police Service Medal (NPSM) is a special service award within the Australian honours system to provide "recognition for the unique contribution and significant commitment of those persons who have given ethical and diligent service as a sworn member of an Australian police service".
The NPSM is awarded for "15 years 'ethical and diligent service' on or after 14 February 1975, or for a lesser period if that service was terminated due to the member's death, or to an impairment related to the discharge of their duties as a Constable of Police".
Australian police continue to receive the National Medal to recognise their long service. Thus, at the completion of 15 years 'ethical and diligent service', a police officer may receive both the National Police Service Medal and the National Medal.
The Australian Government announced that Her Majesty had given in-principle approval on Thursday 30 October 2008 for the introduction of a new award in the Australian honours and award system to recognise the special contribution made to the Australian community by police. The medal is only awarded once; there are no clasps awarded for additional periods of service.
The National Police Service Medal is not an award to recognise long service. Rather, it acknowledges the ethical and diligent commitment, and the unique contribution to the community, demonstrated by sworn members of Australia’s police forces. In most Australian police forces, long and diligent service has been recognised since May 1956 with the award of the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. Since the introduction of the Australian honours system on 14 February 1975, service has been recognised by award of the National Medal.
It was estimated that over 20,000 former Australian police would be eligible for the award upon its introduction.
The medal sets an uncommonly high standard for its award and retention. Although a police officer may qualify for the award and be presented with same, should their service be later found to be unethical or not diligent, in an act either before of after the NPSM was awarded to them, then the award may be cancelled at any time on the advice of their Commissioner of Police.
The award came about as a result of the lobbying of various individuals and professional bodies, but principally by the Police Federation of Australia.
...
Wikipedia