History
Bravery has its medal, tenacity has its medal, and sustained mastery of the job has this one. The AFP Commissioner's Medal for Excellence recognises individuals who have demonstrated sustained excellence in the pursuit of the force's core business outcomes, encompassing its corporate values to the highest level: the investigators, specialists and leaders whose work sets the standard others measure against, year after year.
Awards are made through the AFP's Internal Awards Framework, announced in the Commissioner's Honours List each May and the AFP Foundation Day Honours List each October, on the nomination of serving members. In the force's own order of wear the medal stands second among the internal awards, immediately after the AFP Bravery Medal.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal is antique bronze, bearing an Indigenous image of the AFP platypus. The reverse carries a wreath of laurel leaves.
The ribbon
Dark blue, white and light blue.
The ribbon has stripes of dark blue, white and light blue.
Eligibility
The medal recognises individuals who have demonstrated sustained excellence in the pursuit of the AFP's core business outcomes, encompassing the force's corporate values to the highest level.
- 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;
- The medal sits outside the national honours system and carries no post-nominal;
- Comparable excellence by teams in innovation is recognised through the Commissioner's group citations.
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 Commissioner's Medal for Excellence awarded for?
Sustained excellence in the pursuit of the AFP's core business outcomes, encompassing the force's corporate values to the highest level.
How does it differ from the Conspicuous Conduct medal?
Conspicuous Conduct recognises outstanding dedication in circumstances demanding tenacity of a high order; Excellence recognises mastery of the work itself, sustained over time.
How are recipients chosen?
Serving AFP employees nominate, and awards are announced in the two AFP honours lists each year, in May and October.
Where is it worn?
Second among the AFP internal awards, after the AFP Bravery Medal, with all internal awards worn after the national honours.
Is there a national equivalent?
The Australian Police Medal recognises distinguished police service within the national honours system; the Commissioner's medal is the force's own recognition and the two can be held together.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No.