King's Police Medal
The King's Police Medal (KPM) is awarded to police in the United Kingdom for gallantry or distinguished service. It was also formerly awarded within the wider British Empire, including Commonwealth countries, most of which now have their own honours systems. The medal was established on 7 July 1909, initially inspired by the need to recognise the gallantry of the police officers involved in the Tottenham Outrage. Renamed the King's Police and Fire Services Medal (KPFSM) in 1940, it was replaced on 19 May 1954 by the Queen's Police Medal (QPM), when a separate Queen's Fire Service Medal was also instituted. The current award was renamed the King's Police Medal following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and the accession of King Charles III to the throne of the United Kingdom.
| King's Police Medal | |
|---|---|
King's Police Medal for Distinguished Service, King George VI version | |
| Type | Medal |
| Awarded for | "acts of exceptional courage and skill at the cost of their lives, or exhibiting conspicuous devotion to duty" |
| Presented by | United Kingdom and Commonwealth of Nations |
| Eligibility | Members of the Police Force |
| Post-nominals | KPM |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | 7 July 1909 19 May 1954 (as Queen's Police Medal) |
| KPM ribbons for Gallantry (left) and Distinguished Service (right) | |
| Order of Wear | |
| Next (higher) | George Medal (KPM for Gallantry) British Empire Medal (KPM for Service) |
| Next (lower) | King's Fire Service Medal, for Gallantry (KPM for Gallantry) King's Fire Service Medal, for Distinguished Service (KPM for Service) |
| Related | Formerly awarded as King's Police Medal (1909–40), King's Police and Fire Services Medal (1940–54) |
Between 1909 and 1979, the medal was bestowed 4,070 times, for both gallantry and distinguished service, including dominion and empire awards. A total 54 bars and one second bar were awarded in this period.