National Police service medal:

The Australian Government announced that Her Majesty had given in-principle approval on Thursday 30 October 2008 for the introduction of a new award in the Australian honours and award system to recognise the special contribution made to the Australian community by police. The medal is only awarded once; there are no clasps awarded for additional periods of service.

The National Police Service Medal is not an award to recognise long service. Rather, it acknowledges the ethical and diligent commitment, and the unique contribution to the community, demonstrated by sworn members of Australia’s police forces. In most Australian police forces, long and diligent service has been recognised since May 1956 with the award of the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal^. Since the introduction of the Australian honours system on 14 February 1975, service has been recognised by award of the National Medal.

National Medal:

The National Medal is an Australian award given for long service by operational members of specified eligible organisations. It was introduced in 1975, as an original component of the new Australian honours system, and replaced a range of medals available to military and civilian uniformed services for long service and good conduct. The eligible groups have in common that their members serve or protect the community at the risk of death, injury or trauma, hence it is only available to members of the eligible organisations who are operationally deployed. In the case of corrective services, eligibility is restricted to officers with custodial duties.

WA Police medal: The medal is awarded to Western Australia Police both sworn and unsworn personnel who have completed 10 years sustained diligent and ethical service to the Western Australia Police. The award consists of a medal, miniature, and ribbon bar. Clasps are issued with the medal in five year increments.

The medal was instituted on 12 February 2001 following approval at the National Commissioner’s Conference Forum to support and encourage jurisdictional recognition of diligent and ethical service.