The Home Office has confirmed a change to the long service medals presented to police officers, to recognise and reward service of over 20 years. The change comes as a result of work carried out by representatives from the Police Superintendents’ Association (PSA) and the Police Federation.
Police officers are presented with a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal at 20 years’ service. For more than five years, former PSA President and current PSA Assistant National Secretary Paul Griffiths OBE has worked with John Partington of the Police Federation, to call for the introduction of an additional bar on the medal ribbon, when officers serve for longer periods of time.
As a result of this work, changes have now been made to the Royal Warrant. This means that officers will receive an additional ‘bar’ when they reach 30 years’ service and another at 40 years’ service.
The change in warrant was confirmed by the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in March 2022. Forces will now work to implement the change in medal recognition for qualifying officers. Anyone meeting the criteria from March 2022 will be eligible for the new medal.
PSA Vice President Harvi Khatkar said: “It is excellent to hear of this change to the medal system which will give deserved recognition to officers dedicating decades to policing.
“I would like to thank Paul and John for their tireless efforts in working with the Home Office on behalf of our workforce – I’m sure that every officer in receipt of the medal and long service bars will feel rightfully proud.”
John Partington of the Police Federation told us: “Without taking away the importance of pay, conditions of service and pensions in the current climate, it’s good to see that there is now recognition from the State for those officers who complete additional years of service in the form of this bar to the Long Service Medal”.
