The Order of Police Merit is a Spanish distinction created, initially only as a

medal A medal or medallion is a small portable artistic object, a thin disc, normally of metal, carrying a design, usually on both sides. They typically have a commemorative purpose of some kind, and many are presented as awards. They may be int ...

, in 1943 to offer a special reward to members of the

police The police are a constituted body of persons empowered by a state, with the aim to enforce the law, to ensure the safety, health and possessions of citizens, and to prevent crime and civil disorder. Their lawful powers include arrest and t ...

. Currently it is awarded in four categories: Gold Medal, Silver Medal, Cross with red badge and Cross with white badge. All of them, except the Cross with white badge, have pensions attached to the salary of the police.

Creation, design and categories

This order was created by

decree A decree is a legal proclamation, usually issued by a head of state (such as the president of a republic or a monarch), according to certain procedures (usually established in a constitution). It has the force of law. The particular term used for ...

of June 18, 1943, with the aim of providing a way to reward the police for their outstanding actions, both in the form of "''extraordinary services practised'' " and in the "''work or studies of outstanding scientific interest or professional technique'' ". The creation of the medal was raised to the rank of

law Law is a set of rules that are created and are enforceable by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior,Robertson, ''Crimes against humanity'', 90. with its precise definition a matter of longstanding debate. It has been vario ...

on May 15, 1945, and extended the corresponding pension to immediate family members in case the decorated was for death in the act of service. Initially, the medal was awarded in three categories: gold, silver and bronze, but Law 5/1964, of April 29, in addition to specifying the causes that could lead to the award of the first two categories, eliminated the last one. In its place the categories of Cross with red badge and Cross with white badge were created.

Medals

The design of the medals was established in 1945, based on two of the works submitted to the public tender called. The adopted model was a 40 mm circle with an obverse showing the "sacrifice for the service under guardianship of the

Guardian Angel A guardian angel is a type of angel that is assigned to protect and guide a particular person, group or nation. Belief in tutelary beings can be traced throughout all antiquity. The idea of angels that guard over people played a major role in A ...

" with the inscription "To the police merit". On the back a sword representing

Justice Justice, in its broadest sense, is the principle that people receive that which they deserve, with the interpretation of what then constitutes "deserving" being impacted upon by numerous fields, with many differing viewpoints and perspective ...

with the slogan "Service-Sacrifice". The medal hangs on a green ribbon with the colors of the

Spanish flag The national flag of Spain ( es, Bandera de España), as it is defined in the Constitution of 1978, consists of three horizontal stripes: red, yellow and red, the yellow stripe being twice the size of each red stripe. Traditionally, the middle ...

on the edges. The ribbon carries a pin with the corresponding metal (gold or silver) in which it is inscribed the year of the concession. In the version that was accompanied by a pension on the ribbon, a longitudinal white stripe appeared.

Crosses

The 1964 law that created the Cross also specified its design, which has "a total length of 4.5 cm and is a regular octagon of 8 mm on the side." In the center, on gold enamel, a sword enamelled in white and decorated. The arms, on the inner surface, will be enamelled in red or white depending on the class, and in the center, from left to right, it will read: "To Police Merit".

Reasons for the award

In this law of 1964 the reasons for the granting of the different categories were also specified: * Gold or silver medal: ** death, mutilation or serious injuries with permanent consequences, in the act of service or because of him (except accident, incompetence or imprudence) ** direct or perform a service of transcendental importance with prestige for the Body and with manifestation of exceptional qualities ** Exemplary and extraordinary performance, with outstanding value, capacity or efficiency reiterated in the fulfilment of important services with prestige for the Body ** in general, analogous facts that even without adjusting completely to the previous exigencies, they deserve it by extraordinary merits * Cross with red badge: ** injured in the act of service or because of him (except accident, incompetence or imprudence) ** three or more services in which aggression with weapons, even without being injured ** self-denying or showing high value, in circumstances of danger to his person, with utility for service or prestige for the Corps ** conduct that deserves special reward for distinguished and extraordinary events with a clear risk or personal danger * Cross with white badge: ** fact that evidences high patriotism or loyalty, with prestige for the Body or utility for service ** excel in the fulfilment of duty or perform outstanding works or scientific studies with utility for service or prestige for the Corps ** in general, acts analogous to those described with prestige for the Corps or utility for service

References

Spanish version: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orden_del_M%C3%A9rito_Policial#V%C3%A9ase_tambi%C3%A9n{{Circular reference, date=May 2023 Orders, decorations, and medals of Spain Law enforcement awards and honors