Overview

The Police Overseas Service Medal Declarations and Determinations - February 2026, enacted by the Governor-General on 12 February 2026, serves to extend the eligibility criteria for the Police Overseas Service Medal to recognise additional contributions made by Australian police personnel in international operations. The Governor-General's approval of these determinations under the Police Overseas Service Medal Regulations 2007 aims to acknowledge the service of Australian police officers who participated in the Jordan International Police Training Centre (JIPTC) and the Solomon Islands Assistance Force (SIAF). This legislative action addresses the need to honour the commitment and sacrifices of Australian police officers in supporting international peacekeeping and training missions, thereby ensuring that their service is duly recognised and commemorated. The formal declaration and determination processes are intended to align with the policy objective of the Australian government to honour and recognise the service of its police force members in global operations.

Scope and Application

The Police Overseas Service Medal Regulations 2007, as declared by the Governor-General on 12 February 2026, pertain to the eligibility criteria for the Police Overseas Service Medal. These declarations and determinations specifically recognise the service of personnel at the Jordan International Police Training Centre (JIPTC) and the Solomon Islands Assistance Force (SIAF). The Act applies to individuals who have served in these capacities, recognising their contributions to international policing efforts. The scope of the legislation is limited to those who have fulfilled the service requirements as outlined in the regulations, and it encompasses any relevant conduct or transactions associated with their overseas policing duties. The geographic reach of the Act is international, extending to areas where the Australian police have provided training and assistance. Any exclusions or exemptions from the Act are detailed within the specific declarations and determinations, which outline the criteria for eligibility. The application of the Act can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, such as additional determinations or amendments to the regulations, ensuring the recognition remains relevant and accurate.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Gazette notification pertain to the approval of two determinations under the Police Overseas Service Medal Regulations 2007. Specifically, Section 3 of the Gazette details the approval for the Jordan International Police Training Centre (JIPTC) (paragraph 2), and Section 4 addresses the approval for the Solomon Islands Assistance Force (SIAF) (paragraph 3). These sections confirm that the Governor-General has approved the eligibility criteria for the Police Overseas Service Medal for personnel involved in these specific operations. The obligations and requirements imposed by the Act primarily revolve around the eligibility criteria for the Police Overseas Service Medal. The determinations under Section 3 require that eligible personnel must have participated in activities at the JIPTC, meeting the specified duration and service requirements as outlined in the Police Overseas Service Medal Regulations 2007. Similarly, the determinations under Section 4 require that eligible personnel must have served with the SIAF, again meeting the specified criteria for duration and nature of service as stipulated in the same Regulations. These provisions ensure that only those who meet the detailed service requirements can be awarded the Police Overseas Service Medal for their contributions. There are no specific offences, penalties, or consequences mentioned in the Gazette notification itself. However, the issuance of the Police Overseas Service Medal is contingent upon compliance with the conditions set out in the Police Overseas Service Medal Regulations 2007. Failure to meet these conditions could result in disqualification from receiving the medal. Although the Gazette does not specify penalties for non-compliance in this context, any breaches of the eligibility criteria would be addressed under the general administrative processes outlined in the Regulations. It is worth noting that the maximum penalties for other breaches of the Regulations are not detailed in the Gazette but would be found within the Regulations themselves.