History
The Police Diligent and Ethical Service Medal, known across the force simply as the New South Wales Police Medal, was instituted on 5 February 2002 with the approval of the Minister for Police and the Commissioner. It is awarded to sworn members and former sworn members of the NSW Police Force who have completed ten years of diligent and ethical service, granted only after a detailed review of the nominee's service history, with the Commissioner certifying each recommendation to the Minister.
A clasp follows for each additional five years of diligent and ethical service, carried on the medal with a rosette on the ribbon bar, so the years read from the ribbon at a glance. The force honours its unsworn people through the parallel New South Wales Police Medallion of 2002, and since September 2023 its Special Constables through their own Diligent and Ethical Service Medal.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal, designed by Mrs Amanda Duncan, graphic artist for the NSW Police Force, is struck in copper with a nickel-silver finish. The obverse carries the crown of the Sovereign, the Australian wedge-tailed eagle with the Nemesis scroll, and the New South Wales State Badge, within the inscription NSW POLICE, DILIGENT AND ETHICAL SERVICE. The reverse carries the recipient's name.
The ribbon
Five vertical stripes in the blues of the NSW Police uniform.
The ribbon consists of five vertical blue stripes, representing the two blue colours of the NSW Police uniform.
Clasps
Continued service beyond the qualifying decade is recognised by clasps, with rosettes carrying the count onto the ribbon bar.
Clasp (each further 5 years)
A clasp is awarded for each additional five years of diligent and ethical service beyond the qualifying ten, carried on the medal and shown by a rosette on the ribbon bar.
Eligibility
The medal is awarded to sworn members and former sworn members of the New South Wales Police Force who have completed ten years of diligent and ethical service.
- Awards follow a detailed review of the nominee's service history, with the Commissioner certifying each recommendation to the Minister for Police;
- A clasp is awarded for each additional five years of diligent and ethical service, shown by a rosette on the ribbon bar;
- The medal is an internal NSW Police award outside the national honours system, worn as a right side decoration, and carries no post-nominal.
Order of wear
The medal does not form part of the Australian honours system. On NSW Police uniform it is worn as a right side decoration, 5 millimetres below the nameplate, separate from the national honours worn on the left, with the force's dress policy governing the details. On civilian racks it is mounted apart from the official awards.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NSW Police Diligent and Ethical Service Medal awarded for?
Ten years of diligent and ethical service by sworn members and former sworn members of the NSW Police Force, awarded after a detailed review of the nominee's service history.
Why is it worn on the right?
The force wears its internal award as a right side decoration, five millimetres below the nameplate, keeping the left breast for the national honours. Civilian racks follow the same separation.
How are longer careers recognised?
By a clasp for each additional five years of diligent and ethical service, with a rosette on the ribbon bar carrying the count.
What about unsworn staff and Special Constables?
Unsworn members are honoured through the New South Wales Police Medallion, a pewter presentation piece of 2002, and Special Constables through their own Diligent and Ethical Service Medal instituted in September 2023.
How does it relate to the national police awards?
It runs alongside them: the National Medal and the National Police Service Medal are national honours worn on the left, while this is the force's own award on the right.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No.