History
The NT Police Service Medal is the Territory's own recognition of the officers who stay: it is awarded by the Administrator of the Northern Territory to members who have completed ten years of continuous meritorious service in the Northern Territory Police Force, an endorsement of both the length of the career and the manner of it, ethical and diligent throughout.
The decades that follow are marked plainly: a bar may be awarded after each further ten year period of service, so a thirty year Territory career carries the medal and two bars. It is worn among the force's own awards, alongside the national recognition most long serving members also hold, the National Medal and the National Police Service Medal.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The force does not publish a formal design description for the medal; the pattern supplied is the current issue, and the photographs above show its obverse and reverse.
The ribbon
The current Northern Territory Police issue.
The ribbon follows the pattern of the current issue, shown above.
Clasps
Continued service beyond the qualifying decade is recognised by bars worn on the ribbon.
Bar (each further 10 years)
A bar may be awarded after the completion of each additional ten year period of service beyond the qualifying decade, worn on the ribbon of the medal.
Eligibility
The medal recognises members who have completed ten years of continuous meritorious service in the Northern Territory Police Force.
- The medal is awarded by the Administrator of the Northern Territory;
- A bar may be awarded after each further ten year period of service;
- The medal sits outside the national honours system and carries no post-nominal. Enquiries and applications go through the NTPFES medals and awards team.
Order of wear
Force and state 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 force's 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 NT Police Service Medal awarded for?
Ten years of continuous meritorious service in the Northern Territory Police Force, awarded by the Administrator of the Northern Territory.
How are longer careers recognised?
By a bar after each further ten year period of service, rather than the five year clasps used by most state forces.
How does it relate to the national long service awards?
It runs alongside them: the National Medal at fifteen years and the National Police Service Medal are national honours, while this is the Territory's own award.
Who handles applications?
The NTPFES medals and awards team administers the Territory's police recognition, including enquiries from former members.
Where is it worn?
Among the Northern Territory Police awards, after the NT Police Valour Medal in the force's order, separate from the national honours.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No.