History
When Australia's police commissioners agreed at their national conference forum to encourage jurisdictional recognition of diligent and ethical service, Western Australia answered with this medal, instituted on 12 February 2001. It recognises ten years of sustained diligent and ethical service by employees of the WA Police Force, sworn and unsworn alike, with a clasp for each additional five years, and current employees are considered automatically once eligible.
Its ribbon carries a quiet piece of shared heritage: vertical blue and white stripes in the inverse pattern of the Imperial Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal once issued to Australian police, an arrangement Western Australia shares with the equivalent medals of South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. Former members who meet the criteria apply through the force's Honours and Awards Unit.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal is a circular cupro-nickel medal, 38 millimetres in diameter, surmounted by the Crown of Saint Edward. The obverse displays the Western Australia Coat of Arms surrounded by the words WESTERN AUSTRALIA POLICE, DILIGENT AND ETHICAL SERVICE.
The ribbon
Blue and white verticals: the Imperial police ribbon, inverted.
The ribbon is of vertical blue and white stripes, the inverse of the Imperial Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal's pattern, shared with the service medals of the South Australian, Tasmanian and Victorian police.
Clasps
Continued service beyond the qualifying decade is recognised by clasps worn on the ribbon.
Clasp (each further 5 years)
A clasp is awarded for each additional five years of diligent and ethical service beyond the qualifying ten, worn on the ribbon of the medal.
Eligibility
The medal recognises sustained diligent and ethical service by employees of the WA Police Force.
- A minimum of ten years of service with the WA Police Force is required, by sworn or unsworn employees, with a clasp awarded for each additional five years of diligent and ethical service;
- Current employees are automatically considered once eligible; former members apply through the force's Honours and Awards Unit;
- The medal 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 Force Service Medal awarded for?
A minimum of ten years of sustained diligent and ethical service by employees of the WA Police Force, with a clasp for each further five years.
Who is eligible?
Sworn and unsworn employees alike. Current employees are considered automatically; former members apply through the Honours and Awards Unit.
Why does the ribbon look familiar?
It inverts the blue and white of the Imperial Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal once worn by Australian police, a pattern shared with the South Australian, Tasmanian and Victorian police service medals.
How did the medal come about?
It was instituted on 12 February 2001 after Australia's police commissioners agreed at their national conference forum to encourage jurisdictional recognition of diligent and ethical service.
How does it relate to the national police awards?
It runs alongside them: the National Medal and the National Police Service Medal are national honours, while this is the force's own award, mounted with the WA group.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No.