History
The Victoria Police Service Medal was introduced on 26 February 1996 as the Chief Commissioner's recognition of the sustained diligent and ethical service of Victoria Police employees. The medal is issued for ten years of eligible service, with a clasp for each further period of five years, so a long career reads directly off the ribbon.
Eligibility reaches across the whole force, employees rather than sworn members alone, and the medal has since been opened to former employees who left Victoria Police before its introduction, letting earlier generations of service be recognised retrospectively. Members typically wear it beside their national long service awards: the National Medal and the National Police Service Medal on the left, the VPSM among the force's own awards on the right.
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.
Clasps
Continued service beyond the qualifying decade is recognised by clasps worn on the ribbon.
15 Years
Awarded on reaching fifteen years of eligible service, the first clasp beyond the ten year medal.
20 Years
Awarded on reaching twenty years of eligible service.
25 Years
Awarded on reaching twenty-five years of eligible service.
30 Years
Awarded on reaching thirty years of eligible service.
35 Years
Awarded on reaching thirty-five years of eligible service.
40 Years
Awarded on reaching forty years of eligible service.
45 Years
Awarded on reaching forty-five years of eligible service.
50 Years
Awarded on reaching fifty years of eligible service.
Eligibility
The medal is recognition by the Chief Commissioner of the sustained diligent and ethical service of Victoria Police employees.
- The medal is issued for ten years of eligible service, with a clasp issued for each further period of five years;
- It is available to current employees and to former employees who left Victoria Police before the medal's introduction on 26 February 1996;
- 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 Service Medal awarded for?
Ten years of sustained diligent and ethical service by Victoria Police employees, recognised by the Chief Commissioner, with a clasp for each further five years.
Who is eligible?
Victoria Police employees, and former employees who left the force before the medal's introduction on 26 February 1996, whose earlier service can be recognised retrospectively.
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 worn on the left, while the VPSM is the force's own award worn on the right.
How is long service shown?
By clasps at each five year milestone beyond ten years.
How is it worn?
On the right breast among the Victoria Police awards, separate from the national honours, as directed by the Victoria Police Ceremonial Manual.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No.