History
The Western Australia Police Star was established to recognise sworn personnel killed or seriously injured while carrying out their primary functions, on or off duty, acknowledging the unique and unpredictable dangers of policing and the sacrifices made serving the Western Australian community. Its first presentation, on 26 May 2017 at the Western Australian Police Academy, went to Constable Ryan Marron, left severely disabled after contracting a mosquito-borne virus while stationed at Balgo in 2011.
On 4 August 2017 the force reached back through its history: 78 Police Stars were awarded to the families of deceased officers and to serving and retired officers left with permanent injury or illness from their service. The Star carries no clasps, and its reverse is engraved with the recipient's initials, surname and police regimental number. Current and former members who meet the criteria may apply through the force's Honours and Awards Unit.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The Star is a circular bronze-gold coloured medal, 38 millimetres in diameter, surmounted by the Crown of Saint Edward. The obverse displays the Western Australia Coat of Arms within a five pointed star, surrounded by the words WESTERN AUSTRALIA POLICE STAR, and the reverse is engraved with the recipient's initials, surname and regimental number.
The ribbon
The current WA Police Force issue.
The ribbon follows the pattern of the current issue, shown above.
Eligibility
The Star recognises sworn members of the WA Police Force killed or seriously injured while carrying out their primary functions, whether on or off duty.
- Awards may be made to the families of officers who died, and to serving and former officers left with permanent injury or illness from their service;
- No clasps are issued; the award consists of the medal, a miniature and a ribbon bar, and applications are made through the WA Police Force Honours and Awards Unit;
- The Star sits outside the national honours system and carries no post-nominal.
Order of wear
WA Police Force awards do not form part of the Australian honours system. They are worn separately from the national honours in the force's own order, with the WA Police Force dress policy governing their placement. On civilian racks they are mounted as a distinct group apart from the official awards.
Frequently asked questions
What is the WA Police Star awarded for?
It recognises sworn WA Police Force personnel killed or seriously injured while carrying out their primary functions, on or off duty.
Who received the first Star?
Constable Ryan Marron, on 26 May 2017, after a mosquito-borne virus contracted on duty at Balgo in 2011 left him severely disabled. That August, 78 further Stars honoured the force's dead and permanently injured across its history.
Can families hold it?
Yes. Many Stars are awarded to the families of deceased officers and worn by relatives at commemorative events.
Are former officers eligible?
Yes, where they meet the criteria; applications go through the force's Honours and Awards Unit.
How does it compare to the Victoria Police Star?
Each force honours its own killed and seriously injured with a comparable award; the criteria and designs are the force's alone.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No.