Queen's Police Medal

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Queen's Police Medal

QPM ribbons for Gallantry (left) and Distinguished Service (right)
Awarded by United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Type Medal
Eligibility Members of the Police Force
Awarded for 'acts of exceptional courage and skill at the cost of their lives' or for the 'exhibition of conspicuous devotion to duty'. [1]
Status Currently awarded
Statistics
Established 19 May 1954
Related Queen's Fire Service Medal

The Queen's Police Medal (QPM) is awarded to police officers in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for gallantry or distinguished service. It was introduced on 19 May 1954, when it replaced the King's Police Medal (KPM). Recipients may use the post-nominal letters "QPM", although the right to use these was only officially granted on 20 July 1969.

The most common form of the award is the Queen's Police Medal for Distinguished Service. The equivalent medal for gallantry, the Queen's Police Medal for Gallantry, is now rarely awarded. Acts of gallantry in the police service would, since 1977, normally attract the George Cross, George Medal or Queen's Gallantry Medal.

[edit] Description

  • The circular silver medal is 36 mm in diameter.
  • On the obverse is a profile of The Queen.
  • The reverse depicts a figure holding a sword and shield. The words For Distinguished Police Service or For Gallantry are inscribed around the edge of the reverse side.
  • The ribbon's colours consist of three silver stripes and two wide blue stripes (order: silver, blue, silver, blue, silver). For the Gallantry award, a thin red stripe runs through each silver stripe.

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[edit] References