The 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.
First type
Instituted on 20 May 1963, retrospective to 31 May 1961, the decoration was awarded to all ranks of the
South African Police
The South African Police (SAP) was the national police force and law enforcement agency in South Africa from 1913 to 1994; it was the ''de facto'' police force in the territory of South West Africa (Namibia) from 1939 to 1981. After South Afr ...
, for conspicuous and exceptional bravery in the execution of duties, or in protecting or saving life or property. Recipients were entitled to the post-nominal letters PCF, standing for , the Latin form of the name.
The PCF is a gold cross, each arm built up in five stepped layers. In the centre is a narrow cross on a gyronny background inside a blue circlet inscribed (Courage lives on after death) within a green laurel wreath. The reverse depicts the national coat of arms and the words "" and "For Bravery". The ribbon is blue with a white-gold-white centre panel, and is worn around the neck.
Second type
In 1989, the PCF was divided into three classes, corresponding to the military
Honoris Crux,
Honoris Crux Silver
The Honoris Crux Silver (Silver Cross of Honour), post-nominal letters HCS, is a military decoration for bravery which was instituted by the Republic of South Africa on 1 July 1975. It was awarded to members of the South African Defence Force ...
, and
Honoris Crux Gold
The Honoris Crux Gold (Gold Cross of Honour), post-nominal letters HCG, is a South African military decoration for bravery which was instituted in 1975. It was awarded to members of the South African Defence Force for outstanding acts of brav ...
:
* SAP Cross for Bravery Gold (PCFG): for outstanding bravery while in extreme danger,
* SAP Cross for Bravery Silver (PCFS): for exceptional bravery while in great danger,
* SAP Cross for Bravery (PCF): for bravery while in danger.
The decoration was reduced in size to be worn on the chest, and additional white stripes were used to distinguish the ribbons of the new second and third classes.
The decoration was superseded by the
SA Police Service Gold Cross for Bravery and
SA Police Service Silver Cross for Bravery on 4 May 2004.
Notes
References
*
* {{cite book, last1=Monick, first1=S., year=1988, title=Awards of the South African Uniformed Public Services 1912-1987, publisher=South African National Museum of Military History
See also
*
South African civil honours
South African orders, decorations and medals are those military and civilian Order (decoration), orders, award, decorations and medals issued by the Government of South Africa. The following is a (non-exhaustive) list of these:
Historical orders, ...
*
South African police decorations
An overview of South African police decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system.
South African Police
The South African Police was established in 1913 as a national police force. It had a secondary military rol ...
External links
South African Medals Website
Law enforcement in South Africa
Police decorations and medals of South Africa
1963 establishments in South Africa
Awards established in 1963