The NSW Police Force recognises the commitment, dedication and hard work of police officers and employees - past and present. There are a number of categories that officers and employees can be acknowledged for their contribution to the organisation and the community.
For further information please select the links below, or view the Medals and Awards Guide (PDF).
Awards
Diligent and Ethical Service
The NSW Police Medal
The New South Wales Police Medal is awarded to sworn members and former sworn members of the New South Wales Police Force who have completed ten years of diligent and ethical service. The Medal is awarded after a detailed review of the nominee’s service history.
The clasp to the medal is awarded for each additional 5 years of diligent and ethical service.
After being approved by the Minister for Police and the New South Wales Police Force Commissioner, the medal was instituted on the 5th February 2002. The medal was designed by Mrs Amanda Duncan (nee Clulow), graphic artist for the New South Wales Police Force.
The medal is made of copper, with a nickel coating. The medal features the crown of the sovereign, nemesis eagle and the New South Wales State Badge struck on the front of the medal. The words ‘NSW Police – Diligent and Ethical Service’ appear on the outer edge. The name of the member is inscribed on the reverse.
The medal is suspended by a ribbon, which consists of five vertical blue stripes. The stripes represent the colours of the NSW Police uniform.
The medal is accompanied by a miniature and a ribbon bar. The miniature medal is worn on mess dress on formal occasions and the ribbon bar is worn daily on uniform. The medal is a right side decoration and is worn 5 millimetres below the nameplate.
If you are a former sworn officer and feel that you meet the eligibility criteria, please download and complete the following form:
The NSW Police Medallion
The New South Wales Police Medallion is awarded to unsworn members and former unsworn members of the New South Wales Police Force who have completed ten years of diligent and ethical service. The medallion is awarded after a detailed review of the nominee’s service history.
The accompanying roundel (lapel pin) denotes the length of ethical and diligent service.
After being approved by the Minister for Police and the New South Wales Police Force Commissioner, the medallion was instituted on the 5th February 2002. The medallion was designed by Mrs Amanda Duncan (nee Clulow), graphic artist for the New South Wales Police Force.
The Medallion is a display item, which is fully engraved with the recipient’s details and incorporates the State Crest of NSW and the Nemesis eagle. The words ‘NSW Police – Diligent and Ethical Service’ appear on the outer edge. The pewter medallion is mounted in an embossed presentation box. A miniature award is included which may be worn on the right lapel in plain clothes and above the right breast pocket of those in uniform.
If you are a former unsworn officer and feel that you meet the eligibility criteria, please download and complete the following form:
National Police Service Medal
National Police Service Medal (retrospective)
On 12 April 2014, the Commonwealth announced the National Police Service Medal will extend to recognise all service on or after 14 February 1975, the date on which the Australian Honours System was established.
This is welcome and well-deserved recognition of former officers and a decision I feel certain will be well received by the officers themselves and by the communities which they commendably served.
At this early point, with administrative procedures to be developed and a large number of newly eligible candidates, it is not possible to indicate when the award of the National Police Service Medal to former officers will take place.
National Police Service Medal update
The Honours, Symbols and Territories Branch of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet have now made available the approved application form for the National Police Service Medal for former members of Australian police forces who believe they meet the criteria for the award.
National Police Service Medal Application Form (PDF)
Former members who believe they meet the criteria for the National Police Service Medal are invited to download the application form, read the information and instructions, complete the form and mail it to the relevant jurisdiction, as indicated on the application form. Original documents must be mailed.
Police Officer of the Year
The Rotary Police Officer of the Year Awards is the most prestigious event on the NSW Police Force calendar.
Major Award Categories
The premier award of the night is the NSW Rotary Police Officer of the Year, nominated by commanders only and chosen from the winners of the below categories:
- Metropolitan Field Operations Police Officer of the Year, which recognises policing excellence for sworn officers performing duties within the Metropolitan Field Operations Commands.
- Regional NSW Field Operations Police Officer of the Year, which recognises policing excellence for sworn officers performing duties within the Regional Field Operations Commands.
- Investigations and Counter Terrorism Police Officer of the Year, which recognises policing excellence for sworn officers performing duties within the Investigations and Counter Terrorism Commands.
- Corporate Services Police Officer of the Year, which recognises policing excellence for sworn officers performing duties within the Corporate Services.
Other Categories
- Employee of the Year recognises the outstanding efforts of civilian employees of the NSW Police Force.
- Rotary Community Award recognises the exceptional efforts of NSW Police Force employees who have worked for the benefit of the community, putting service above self whether on or off duty.
- Volunteer in Policing Award recognises the extraordinary efforts of the NSW Volunteers in Policing who, in their own time, help ensure the community is best served by their police.
Public Nominated Awards
Customer Service Excellence Award recognises exceptional customer service provided to members of the community, and those police who contribute to the overall customer service policy by their involvement in communications, problem solving and innovation.
Criteria for nominations:
1. Provision of customer service above and beyond normal role and function
2. Being professional, being accessible, taking appropriate action and keeping customers informed (as per the NSW Police Customer Service Charter)
3. Demonstrated individual and/or team customer service related communication, problem solving and/or innovation
Click here to nominate for the Customer Service Excellence Award
The IJ (Irene Juergens APM) Fellowship Award recognises outstanding individual contributions to community-based policing. The award is open to both sworn and unsworn employees, acknowledging those who demonstrate a personal commitment to engagement and crime prevention above and beyond their job requirements.
Click here to nominate for the IJ (Irene Juergens APM) Fellowship Award
NOMINATIONS CLOSE ON FRIDAY 23 AUGUST 2024
The NSW Police Medal (Special Constable – Sworn)
The New South Wales Police Medal (Special Constable – Sworn) is awarded to sworn Special constables and former sworn Special Constables of the New South Wales Police Force who have completed ten years of diligent and ethical service. The Medal is awarded after a detailed review of the nominee’s service history.
The clasp to the medal is awarded for each additional 5 years of diligent and ethical service.
After being approved by the New South Wales Police Force Commissioner, the medal was instituted on the 15th September 2023 and became retrospective on the 1st February 2024. The medal was designed by both the Security Management Unit and the Protocol & Awards Unit of the NSW Police Force.
The medal is made of copper, with a brushed antique nickel coating. The medal features the crown of the sovereign, nemesis eagle and the New South Wales State Badge struck on the front of the medal. The words ‘NSW Police – Diligent and Ethical Service’ appear on the outer edge. The name of the member is inscribed on the reverse.
The medal is suspended by a ribbon, which consists of five vertical blue stripes. The stripes represent the two blue colours of the NSW Police uniform.
The medal is accompanied by a miniature and a ribbon bar. The miniature medal is worn on mess dress on formal occasions and the ribbon bar is worn daily on uniform. The medal is a right side decoration and is worn 5 millimetres below the nameplate.
If you are a former Special Constable sworn and feel that you meet the eligibility criteria, please download and complete the following form: Application for Diligent & Ethical Service
Privacy Collection Notice and Consent
Privacy Collection Notice and Consent
Officers that left the NSW Police Force after 5 February 2020 due to a work-related injury or illness are encouraged to complete this form to assess whether they are eligible for Australian Honours.
By completing the form, the NSW Police Force will have the required consent to review the eligibility of the applicant for an Award, being the National Medal or the clasp the Governor-General of Australia.
Providing the requested information is voluntary. However, if you choose not to provide us with your information the Department and/or the Australian Honours and Awards Secretariat will be unable to assess your application under the National Medal Regulations 2011.