Police 8 Year Long Service Medal

German WWII > Awards and Medals > Political and Civil > Police

A 3. Stufe. Polizei-Dienstauszeichnung für 8-jährige. Instituted January 30, 1938, the Police Service Medal was awarded to Police officers (who met the criteria set out in the Reich Law Gazette June 24, 1937) that gave 8 years of loyal service surrounding the German Third Reich. Service in the military and time as a civil servant could also be counted towards meeting the criteria. It is constructed out of a die-struck nickel silver base that has been silver washed. The round shaped obverse features a centrally placed second pattern police emblem, which consists of a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika in its talons above an oval oak leaf wreath, which is in front of a pebbled pattée style cross that has a smooth border. The reverse depicts a centrally placed “8” surrounded by: “Für Treue Dienst in der Polizei” (For Loyal Service in the Police). To the top is a soldered-on loop and ring which holds 7 1/8 inches of folded blue rayon ribbon – 1 1/16 inches wide. It measures approximately 1 ½ inches in diameter. Nice patina.