Medals for police officials capped at 5

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, September 23

The state government has decided that a Punjab Police officer can get a maximum five commendation discs (CDs) in his entire career. As per the new criterion, the officer will wear only one disc that will feature his recognition under various heads, the highest of them being identified with “golden colour with two stars”.

The CD is in the form of a medal-insignia and is worn by cops on their uniform in accordance with rules. The new order means that the officers, usually inspector-rank and above, will have to perform exceptionally well to achieve the five medals.

In a letter to the officials concerned, the DGP office confirmed that the existing rules had been examined on the lines of an order issued by the CRPF and henceforth, a maximum of five CDs would be awarded to the police official/officer.

The order confirms that the first CD will be of bronze colour, second silver, third golden, fourth golden with one star and the fifth golden with two stars.

Only one of the above, when awarded, will be worn immediately above and on either side of the button of the flap of the left breast pocket.

“The DGP CD will be awarded for exceptional achievements and as such, recommendation for this award may not be sent in a routine manner,” reads the letter dated September 13.

Introduced on the pattern of central armed forces in 2009 by the then Punjab DGP KPS Gill, the discs recognise outstanding duty in anti-terrorist operation, good investigation work, displaying exceptional courage and work during natural calamities and marked these as achievements by the police officer above the rank of a gazetted officer. The disc had replaced the system of giving commendable certificate by senior officers to the police personnel.

“Earlier, officers with two or more medals would display every medal on the left and right side chest of their uniform,” an officer said.

New criterion

• The commendation disc (CD) is in the form of a medal-insignia and is worn by cops on their uniform in accordance with rules 
• The new order means that the officers, usually inspector-rank and above, will have to perform exceptionally well to achieve the five medals
• The order confirms that the first CD will be of bronze colour, second silver, third golden, fourth golden with one star and the fifth golden with two stars