South African police decorations

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An overview of South African police decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system.

Contents

[edit] South African Police

The South African Police was established in 1913 as a national police force. It had a secondary military role, which came to the fore in World War I and again in World War II.

[edit] 1923-1963

The SAP was eligible for the British King's Police Medal, which was awarded annually throughout the British Empire. This was discontinued in 1933, because South Africa had become independent as a member of the new British Commonwealth, and it was replaced in 1937 by a special South African issue of the medal. From 1923, the SAP also had its own long service medal, which doubled as a medal for gallantry. The medals available to the SAP between 1923 and 1963 were thus:

  • Decoration
    • Queen's Police Medal (South Africa) (1937-61)
  • Long service medal
    • Police Good Service Medal (1923-63)

Until 1952, they were incorporated into the British honours system. Thereafter they formed part of the new South African honours system.

[edit] 1963-2003

After South Africa became a republic (in 1961), the government instituted an entirely new series of decorations and medals for the SAP. It was added to several times over the years:

  • Campaign medal
    • SA Police Medal for Combating Terrorism (1974-??)
  • Commemorative medals
    • SA Police Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Commemorative Medal (1988)
    • SA Police Service Amalgamation Medal (1995)
  • Long service medals
    • SA Police Star for Merit (1963-2004)
    • SA Police Star for Faithful Service (1979-2004)
    • SA Police Medal for Faithful Service (1963-2004)

In 1994, the SAP amalgamated with the police forces of the former "homelands" inside South Africa, to form the SA Police Service.

[edit] South African Railways Police

[edit] 1934-1966

The South African Railways Police was established in 1916, to police the country's railways and harbours. It was later responsible for air services too. The SARP was modeled on the SAP, and shared the King's/Queen's Police Medal with it. It also had its own long service medal: the Railways Police Good Service Medal (1934-66).

[edit] 1966-1986

An entirely new series of decorations and medals was instituted for the SARP in 1966, to match those established for the SAP in 1963. The series was enlarged in 1980, to correspond to the changes made to the SAP awards in 1979. The full range of honours was:

  • Decorations
    • SA Railways Police Star for Distinguished Leadership (SEE) (1980-86)
    • SA Railways Police Star for Distinguished Devotion (SDE) (1980-86)
    • SA Railways Police Cross for Valour (IF) (1966-86)
    • Decoration for Outstanding Service in the SA Railways Police Force (SMO) (1966-86)
  • Campaign medal
    • SA Railways Police Medal for Combating Terrorism (1980-86)
  • Long service medals
    • Star for Merit in the SA Railways Police Force (1966-86)
    • SA Railways Police Star for Faithful Service (1980-86)
    • Medal for Faithful Service in the SA Railways Police Force - 1st Type (1966-80)
    • Medal for Faithful Service in the SA Railways Police Force - 2nd Type (1980-86)

The SARP was incorporated into the SA Police in 1986.

[edit] South African Police Service

The South African Police Service, which was formed in 1994 by amalgamating the SAP and the police forces of the former homelands, used the SAP decorations and medals until 2004, when a new series of decorations was instituted:

  • Decorations
    • SA Police Service Gold Cross for Bravery (PCFG)
    • SA Police Service Silver Cross for Bravery (PCFS)
    • SA Police Service Gold Medal for Outstanding Service (SOEG)
    • SA Police Service Silver Medal for Outstanding Service (SOES)
    • SA Police Service Commendation Medal
  • Commemorative medal
    • SA Police Service Ten Year Commemoration Medal
  • Long service medals
    • SA Police Service Forty Year Loyal Service Medal
    • SA Police Service Thirty Year Loyal Service Medal
    • SA Police Service Twenty Year Loyal Service Medal
    • SA Police Service Ten Year Loyal Service Medal
  • Animal decoration
    • SA Police Service Canine & Equine Star for Bravery

[edit] References

Alexander, E. G. M., Barron G. K. B. and Bateman, A. J. (1986). South African Orders, Decorations and Medals. Human and Rousseau.

Monick, S. (1988). Awards of the South African Uniformed Public Services 1912-1987. South African National Museum of Military History.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links