AFP honours and awards
Introduction
Tangible devices of recognition such as Medals, Commendations and Group Citations have been the primary form of rewarding excellence, bravery, meritorious, conspicuous and long service within Australia since before Federation. They provide an opportunity, in certain occasions, to show service and endeavours on a daily basis. Such awards are worn with pride by the recipients and provide an opportunity to formally say ‘thank you’ for a variety of reasons.
The establishment of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Internal Honours and Awards structure seeks to continue this heritage and in particular, recognise various endeavours and service on behalf of and within the organisation. The range of AFP internal awards recognise: excellence, innovation, conspicuous conduct, bravery and overseas service including operating in hazardous circumstances. Significantly, this range of the internal awards recognises the unique nature of the AFP and its core values and outcomes.
Nothing in this document should preclude the appropriate and timely informal forms of recognition at all levels. Examples of these can be; letters of appreciation, comments on EMP’s or merely verbal ‘thank-you’s’
Categories of Awards
The new range of awards has been developed to cover all types of recognition within the AFP. To complement these awards, tangible devices have been developed for the wearing by all employees at appropriate times. There are three main categories recognising the individual and collective endeavours, in addition to the introduction of long service awards for all employees. The three categories are:
- Commissioners Medals for Excellence and Innovation;
- Commissioner’s Commendations; and
- Group Citations.
In addition, the AFP will establish other awards to recognise significant service, endeavours and conduct:
- AFP Operations and Service medals; and
- Other Awards.
Commissioner’s Medals for excellence & Innovation
The new formalised approach to recognition sees the establishment of new awards and the enhancement of existing awards. The new awards are as follows:
- Commissioner’s Medal for Excellence; and
- Commissioner’s Medal for Innovation.
See more details on these medals.
Commissioner’s commendations
Commendations will, for the first time, be formalised and consist of distinct awards as follows:
- Commissioner’s Commendation for Bravery;
- Commissioner’s Commendation for Conspicuous Conduct;
- Commissioner’s Commendation for Excellence in Overseas Service; and
- Commissioner’s Commendation for Hazardous Overseas Service.
See more details on these commendations.
Group citations
A new form of recognition in the way of Group Citations has also been introduced. These cover four main areas of endeavour being:
- Commissioner’s Group Citation for Bravery;
- Commissioner’s Group Citation for Conspicuous Conduct;
- Commissioner’s Group Citation for Excellence in Overseas Service; and
- Commissioner’s Group Citation for Hazardous Overseas Service.
See more details on these citations.
AFP Operations and Service Medals
The AFP service medals are as follows:
- Australian Federal Police Operations Medal;
- Australian Federal Police Service Medal;
- ACT Community Policing Medal; and
- Australian Protective Service Medal.
See more details on these medals.
Other Awards
Other related awards are as follows:
- National Manager's / Chief Police Officer's Awards;
- ACT Emergency Medal; and
- ACT Community Policing Medal.
See more details on these awards.
Award Entitlements
All recipients of AFP Internal Awards (except Group Citations) will be issued with the following:
- Certificate;
- Full size decoration (medal or commendation);
- Miniature; and
- Ribbon.
All recipients of Group Citations will be issued with:
- A copy of the Citation;
- Full size decoration; and
- Miniature
A description of the various entitlements is as follows:
Certificate or Citation
Each recipient will receive a Certificate or Citation outlining the circumstances or incident for which they are being recognised. The Certificate or Citation will be framed and the device that they are to be awarded (Medal, Commendation or Group Citation) will also be featured within the Certificate of Citation.
Full Size Decoration
A full size medal (or in the case of Medals or Commendations) will be issued to recipients for the wearing at ceremonial occasions. Any medals will be engraved with the recipient’s name.
Miniature
A Miniature of the award will be issued to the recipient for wearing at mess functions and other formal dining occasions
Ribbons
A ribbon of the award (except in the case of Group Citations) will be issued to recipients for the wearing on uniforms in every day use.
Wearing of AFP internal awards
As internal awards, all AFP awards will be worn on the right side of uniform shirts, tunics or jackets and on mess kit/ dinner suit. AFP employees will be required to wear awards in the prescribed Order of Precedence.
Medals and Commendations will be worn in parallel line with those conferred under the Australian Honours System that are worn on the left hand side. Group Citations will be worn above other individual internal & other awards not part of the Australian Honours System.
Additional conferring of awards
In the event that a member receives additional awards of a nature previously conferred, a range of clasps has been established to recognise their endeavours.
In principle, this form of recognising will enable a recipient to be awarded a number of awards of the same type.
Administration
The Commissioner’s Medals, Commendations and Group Citations will be administered by the Recognition & Ceremonial Team. Full details of the administrative process are to be contained in the full Award & Recognition component of a revised AFP Protocol Manual (currently being written). Details of Commissioners Awards will be recorded on SAP by the Recognition & Ceremonial Team. Other awards (General Manager’s & Director’s Awards) will be recorded by the appropriate Corporate Services area.