History
No federal police operation succeeds alone. Behind the AFP's results stand the state and territory police, the intelligence and border agencies, the foreign partners and the specialists of a dozen services, and the AFP Partnership Medal exists for them: it recognises individuals of other agencies who have provided a significant contribution to the force's operations.
It is a rare kind of award, a police force decorating people who do not work for it, and its ribbon carries the Sillitoe tartan, the chequered band recognised as the mark of policing around the world, beside stripes of blue, green and gold. Teams from partner agencies whose collective contribution met the same standard are recognised by the AFP Partnership Group Citation, worn as a framed ribbon. Awards are announced through the AFP honours lists in May and October.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal bears the AFP platypus, the Southern Cross and the Crown of Saint Edward. The reverse carries a wreath of wattle.
The ribbon
The Sillitoe check with blue, green and yellow.
The ribbon carries the Sillitoe tartan, the international chequered mark of policing, with stripes of blue, green and yellow.
Eligibility
The medal recognises individuals of agencies other than the AFP who have provided a significant contribution to the force's operations.
- Nominations are made by serving AFP employees, with awards announced in the Commissioner's Honours List in May and the AFP Foundation Day Honours List in October;
- Collective contributions by partner teams are recognised by the AFP Partnership Group Citation;
- The medal sits outside the national honours system and carries no post-nominal.
Order of wear
AFP internal and jurisdiction awards sit outside the national honours system. On AFP uniform they are worn after all the awards in the Australian Order of Wearing, in the sequence set by the AFP's own wear guide, with jurisdiction and foreign force awards following the internal awards. The force's dress instructions govern the details.
Frequently asked questions
What is the AFP Partnership Medal awarded for?
A significant contribution to AFP operations by an individual of another agency: state and territory police, Commonwealth agencies, or international partners.
Can AFP members receive it?
No. It is specifically for individuals outside the force whose work made the AFP's operations possible.
What is the Sillitoe tartan on the ribbon?
The black and white style chequered band recognised internationally as the mark of policing, here carried in the AFP's colours beside blue, green and yellow stripes.
What about partner teams?
The AFP Partnership Group Citation recognises collective contributions by groups from other agencies, worn as a ribbon in an antique bronze frame.
How are recipients chosen?
Serving AFP employees nominate, and awards are announced in the two AFP honours lists each year, in May and October.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No.