History
The Medal for Merit is Victoria Police's honour for the service side of excellence: it is awarded to an employee or employees who have demonstrated exemplary service to Victoria Police and the Victorian community. Where the Medal for Courage marks a moment, the Medal for Merit marks a contribution: the investigation led superbly, the reform delivered, the community relationship built over years.
Awards are administered by the Victoria Police Honours and Awards Unit on behalf of the force's Honours and Awards Committee, with unit and group citations available on the same criteria for collective achievement, and department, regional and divisional commendations recognising exceptional performance beneath the medal's threshold.
Design & ribbon
The medal
Victoria Police 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 Victoria Police issue: pattern as supplied.
The ribbon follows the pattern of the current issue, shown above.
Eligibility
The medal is awarded to an employee or employees who have demonstrated exemplary service to Victoria Police and the Victorian community.
- Awards are administered by the Victoria Police Honours and Awards Unit on behalf of the Honours and Awards Committee;
- Collective service meeting the same criteria may be recognised by a unit or group citation, with commendations at department, regional and divisional level beneath the medal;
- The medal does not form part of the Australian honours system and carries no post-nominal.
Order of wear
Victoria Police awards do not form part of the Australian honours system. On uniform they are worn on the right breast in the force's own order, separate from the national honours worn on the left, as directed by the Victoria Police Ceremonial Manual. On civilian racks they are mounted as a separate right side group.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Victoria Police Medal for Merit awarded for?
Exemplary service to Victoria Police and the Victorian community, demonstrated by an employee or employees.
How does it differ from the Medal for Courage?
Courage recognises an act performed in dangerous and volatile operational circumstances; Merit recognises exemplary service, the sustained or standout contribution.
What about teams?
Unit and group citations recognise collective courage or merit on the same criteria, and commendations at department, regional and divisional level sit beneath the medals.
Who is eligible?
Victoria Police employees, sworn and unsworn: the criteria speak of employees, not only police members.
How is it worn?
On the right breast in the force's own order, separate from the national honours worn on the left, as directed by the Victoria Police Ceremonial Manual.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No.