Australian Police Medal Determination

Overview

The Australian Police Medal Determination 1992, enacted by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, William George Hayden, revokes the previous Australian Police Medal Determination of 1987 to provide an updated specification for the design, ribbon, and wear of the Australian Police Medal, which is awarded for distinguished service. The objective of this determination is to formalise the appearance and protocol of the medal, ensuring that it is presented in a manner that reflects its significance and the esteem in which it is held. The Australian Police Medal is a nickel-silver circular medal ensigned with a Crown of Saint Edward, featuring a specific design on both the obverse and reverse, and is worn on the left breast when full-size orders, decorations, and medals are worn. This determination serves to maintain the integrity and recognition associated with the award by standardising its visual and ceremonial aspects.

Scope and Application

The Australian Police Medal Determination, enacted by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, William George Hayden, pertains to the design, appearance, and wearing of the Australian Police Medal. The Act applies to the Australian Police Medal itself, detailing its design, the materials from which it is made, and its appearance, including the obverse and reverse designs and the ribbon from which it is suspended. The Act also outlines the appropriate occasions for wearing the medal, including its miniature and lapel badge forms, and specifies the order of precedence for the medal in relation to other honours and awards. The Act applies nationally, within the Commonwealth of Australia, and the determination replaces the previous Australian Police Medal Determination of 1987. While the Act sets out the design and wearing of the medal, it does not explicitly address any exclusions or exemptions, nor does it extend its application through subordinate instruments. It is a prerogative instrument that is self-contained in its provisions.

Key Provisions

The Australian Police Medal Determination (C2010Q00048) specifies the design, appearance, and usage of the Australian Police Medal, superseding the previous determination of 1987. The main sections of the determination outline the physical characteristics and the manner in which the medal should be presented and worn. Section 1 details the design of the medal itself, describing it as a nickel-silver circular piece, 38 millimetres in diameter, adorned with a Crown of Saint Edward on the obverse and a wreath of golden wattle on the reverse. Section 2 explains the ribbon from which the medal is suspended, which is 32 millimetres wide with specific colour specifications. Section 3 and Section 4 respectively detail the formal and miniature versions of the medal, including their dimensions and appropriate occasions for wearing. Section 5 introduces the lapel badge, a smaller version of the medal, which can be worn with civilian attire at any time. The obligations imposed by the determination are primarily concerned with the proper presentation and wearing of the Australian Police Medal. Section 3 mandates that the full-size medal is to be worn on the left breast when full-size orders, decorations, and medals are worn, ensuring consistency in the presentation of honours. Section 4 specifies that the miniature medal, a half-size replica, should be worn when miniatures of orders, decorations, and medals are worn. Section 5 allows for the wearing of a lapel badge at any time with civilian dress, providing flexibility in the use of this smaller version. Section 6 ensures that the medal is worn in accordance with the Australian Order of Precedence of Honours and Awards, maintaining a structured hierarchy in the presentation of these accolades. While the determination itself does not explicitly state offences, penalties, or consequences for breaches, it implicitly sets standards for the appropriate use of the Australian Police Medal. Any deviation from the specified design or wearing protocols could be perceived as disrespect or dishonour to the award. Breaches might not be subject to direct legal penalties but could result in disciplinary actions within police forces or other organisations that recognise the award. The consequences for such breaches would generally be administrative rather than criminal, involving internal reviews, reprimands, or the revocation of the medal.