South African police decorations
Encyclopedia
An overview of South Africa
n police decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system
.
was established in 1913 as a national police force. It had a secondary military role, which came to the fore in World War I
and again in World War II
.
, which was awarded annually throughout the British Empire
. This was discontinued in 1933, because South Africa had become independent as a member of the new British Commonwealth
, and it was replaced in 1937 by a special South African issue of the medal. From 1923, the SAP also had its own long service medal, which doubled as a medal for gallantry. The medals available to the SAP between 1923 and 1963 were thus:
Until 1952, they were incorporated into the British honours system. Thereafter they formed part of the new South African honours system.
In 1994, the SAP amalgamated with the police forces of the former "homelands" inside South Africa, to form the SA Police Service.
The SARP was incorporated into the SA Police in 1986.
, which was formed in 1994 by amalgamating the SAP and the police forces of the former homelands, used the SAP decorations and medals until 2004, when a new series of decorations was instituted:
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n police decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system
South African orders and decorations
An overview of the South African honours system.-1894-1952:The British honours system became applicable to South Africa as colonial rule was established in the region during the nineteenth century...
.
South African Police
The South African PoliceSouth African Police
The South African Police was the country's police force until 1994. The SAP traced its origin to the Dutch Watch, a paramilitary organization formed by settlers in the Cape in 1655, initially to protect civilians against attack and later to maintain law and order...
was established in 1913 as a national police force. It had a secondary military role, which came to the fore in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and again in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
1923-1963
The SAP was eligible for the British King's Police MedalQueen's Police Medal
The Queen's Police Medal is awarded to police officers in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for gallantry or distinguished service. Recipients may use the post-nominal letters "QPM", although the right to use these was only granted officially on 20 July 1969...
, which was awarded annually throughout the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
. This was discontinued in 1933, because South Africa had become independent as a member of the new British Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
, and it was replaced in 1937 by a special South African issue of the medal. From 1923, the SAP also had its own long service medal, which doubled as a medal for gallantry. The medals available to the SAP between 1923 and 1963 were thus:
- Decoration
- Queen's Police Medal (South Africa) (1937-61)
- Campaign medal
- Africa Service MedalAfrica Service MedalThe Africa Service Medal was a South African campaign medal for service in World War II. It was instituted by King George VI, in his capacity as South African head of state, on 23 December 1943, and was awarded in addition to the British stars and medals issued for the war...
(1943)
- Africa Service Medal
- Long service medal
- Police Good Service Medal (1923-63)
Until 1952, they were incorporated into the British honours system. Thereafter they formed part of the new South African honours system.
1963-2003
After South Africa became a republic (in 1961), the government instituted an entirely new series of decorations and medals for the SAP. It was added to several times over the years:- Decorations
- SA Police Star for Distinguished LeadershipSA Police Star for Distinguished LeadershipThe South African Police Star for Distinguished Leadership was a high-ranking decoration, that existed between 1979 and 1986. It was reserved for senior police officers, and was awarded only twice...
(SED) (1979-86) - SA Police Star for Distinguished ServiceSA Police Star for Distinguished ServiceThe South African Police Star for Distinguished Service was a high-ranking decoration that existed between 1963 and 1986. Originally a dual-purpose decoration for bravery and for outstanding service, it was converted into an award for senior officers only in 1979...
- 2nd Type (SOO) (1979-86) - SA Police Cross for BraverySA Police Cross for BraveryThe South African Police Cross for Bravery was a high-ranking decoration, that existed between 1963 and 2004. It initially had only one class, but it was expanded to three classes in 1988....
- 1st Type (PCF) (1963-89) - SA Police Cross for Bravery (Gold)SA Police Cross for BraveryThe South African Police Cross for Bravery was a high-ranking decoration, that existed between 1963 and 2004. It initially had only one class, but it was expanded to three classes in 1988....
(PCFG) (1989-2004) - SA Police Silver Cross for GallantrySA Police Silver Cross for GallantryThe South African Police Silver Cross for Gallantry was a decoration that existed between 1985 and 1989.Instituted on 29 January 1985, the SCG was awarded to all ranks of the South African Police for conspicuous and exceptional gallantry while fighting terrorism The South African Police Silver...
(SCG) (1985-89) - SA Police Cross for Bravery (Silver)SA Police Cross for BraveryThe South African Police Cross for Bravery was a high-ranking decoration, that existed between 1963 and 2004. It initially had only one class, but it was expanded to three classes in 1988....
(PCFS) (1989-2004) - SA Police Cross for BraverySA Police Cross for BraveryThe South African Police Cross for Bravery was a high-ranking decoration, that existed between 1963 and 2004. It initially had only one class, but it was expanded to three classes in 1988....
- 2nd Type (PCF) (1989-2004) - SA Police Star for Distinguished ServiceSA Police Star for Distinguished ServiceThe South African Police Star for Distinguished Service was a high-ranking decoration that existed between 1963 and 1986. Originally a dual-purpose decoration for bravery and for outstanding service, it was converted into an award for senior officers only in 1979...
- 1st Type (SOO) (1963-79) - SA Police Star for Outstanding ServiceSA Police Star for Outstanding ServiceThe South African Police Star for Outstanding Service was a decoration that existed between 1979 and 2004. Recipients are entitled to the post-nominal letters SOE, standing for Stella Officii Egregii, the Latin form of the name....
(SOE) (1979-2004)
- SA Police Star for Distinguished Leadership
- Campaign medal
- SA Police Medal for Combating Terrorism (1974-??)
- Commemorative medals
- SA Police Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Commemorative Medal (1988)
- SA Police Service Amalgamation Medal (1995)
- Long service medals
- SA Police Star for Merit (1963-2004)
- SA Police Star for Faithful Service (1979-2004)
- SA Police Medal for Faithful Service (1963-2004)
In 1994, the SAP amalgamated with the police forces of the former "homelands" inside South Africa, to form the SA Police Service.
1934-1966
The South African Railways Police was established in 1916, to police the country's railways and harbours. It was later responsible for air services too. The SARP was modeled on the SAP, and shared the King's/Queen's Police Medal with it. It also had its own long service medal: the Railways Police Good Service Medal (1934-66).1966-1986
An entirely new series of decorations and medals was instituted for the SARP in 1966, to match those established for the SAP in 1963. The series was enlarged in 1980, to correspond to the changes made to the SAP awards in 1979. The full range of honours was:- Decorations
- SA Railways Police Star for Distinguished Leadership (SEE) (1980-86)
- SA Railways Police Star for Distinguished Devotion (SDE) (1980-86)
- SA Railways Police Cross for Valour (IF) (1966-86)
- Decoration for Outstanding Service in the SA Railways Police Force (SMO) (1966-86)
- Campaign medal
- SA Railways Police Medal for Combating Terrorism (1980-86)
- Long service medals
- Star for Merit in the SA Railways Police Force (1966-86)
- SA Railways Police Star for Faithful Service (1980-86)
- Medal for Faithful Service in the SA Railways Police Force - 1st Type (1966-80)
- Medal for Faithful Service in the SA Railways Police Force - 2nd Type (1980-86)
The SARP was incorporated into the SA Police in 1986.
South African Police Service
The South African Police ServiceSouth African Police Service
The South African Police Service is the national police force of the Republic of South Africa. Its 1116 police stations in South Africa are divided according to the provincial borders, and a Provincial Commissioner is appointed in each province...
, which was formed in 1994 by amalgamating the SAP and the police forces of the former homelands, used the SAP decorations and medals until 2004, when a new series of decorations was instituted:
- Decorations
- SA Police Service Gold Cross for Bravery (PCFG)
- SA Police Service Silver Cross for Bravery (PCFS)
- SA Police Service Gold Medal for Outstanding Service (SOEG)
- SA Police Service Silver Medal for Outstanding Service (SOES)
- SA Police Service Commendation Medal
- Commemorative medal
- SA Police Service Ten Year Commemoration Medal
- Long service medals
- SA Police Service Forty Year Loyal Service Medal
- SA Police Service Thirty Year Loyal Service Medal
- SA Police Service Twenty Year Loyal Service Medal
- SA Police Service Ten Year Loyal Service Medal
- Animal decoration
- SA Police Service Canine & Equine Star for Bravery
Municipal/Metropolitan Police Service
In 1998, the municipal and metropolitan council police forces were brought under the auspices of the SA Police Service Act, and became collectively known as the Municipal/Metropolitan Police Service. A series of decorations and medals was instituted for them in 2008.- Decorations
- Municipal/Metropolitan Police Service Gold Cross for Bravery (MPBG)
- Municipal/Metropolitan Police Service Silver Cross for Bravery (MPSB)
- Municipal/Metropolitan Police Service Gold Decoration for Outstanding Service (MPGS)
- Municipal/Metropolitan Police Service Silver Decoration for Outstanding Service (MPSS)
- Municipal/Metropolitan Police Service Commendation Medal
- Commemorative Medal
- Municipal/Metropolitan Police Service Inauguration Medal
- Long service medals
- Municipal/Metropolitan Police Service Forty Year Loyal Service Medal
- Municipal/Metropolitan Police Service Thirty Year Loyal Service Medal
- Municipal/Metropolitan Police Service Twenty Year Loyal Service Medal
- Municipal/Metropolitan Police Service Ten Year Loyal Service Medal
- Animal decoration
- Municipal/Metropolitan Police Service Canine & Equine Cross for Bravery
See also
- British and Commonwealth orders and decorations
- South African civil honoursSouth African civil honoursAn overview of South African civil orders, decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system.-Union of South Africa:The Union of South Africa was formed in 1910, as a self-governing dominion in the British Empire...
- South African intelligence service decorationsSouth African intelligence service decorationsAn overview of South African intelligence service decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system.-National Intelligence Service:...
- South African military decorationsSouth African military decorationsAn overview of South African military decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system.-1894–1913:The colonial military forces received British military decorations in wartime. From 1894, the colonial governments awarded medals for distinguished conduct and for long...
- South African orders and decorationsSouth African orders and decorationsAn overview of the South African honours system.-1894-1952:The British honours system became applicable to South Africa as colonial rule was established in the region during the nineteenth century...
- South African prisons decorationsSouth African prisons decorationsAn overview of South African prisons service decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system.-1922-1968:The Prisons Department was established in 1911. It was a civil service department, with uniformed warders...