Police Insignia

Northern Territory Police

 

NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE

     The Northern Territory Police (NTP) is the primary law enforcement agency that has legal jurisdiction over the Northern Territory of Australia.  Police in the Northern Territory are part of a 'Tri-Service' - the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Service.

     The Northern Territory is a 'Territory' of Australia, and is located to the north of the Country (see map).  The capital city of the Northern Territory is Darwin, which is the State's most populous city.  The Northern Territory is bordered by Western Australia to the west, Queensland to the east, South Australia to the south, and the Timor Sea, Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria to the north.  The Northern Territory os over 1,349,129 sq km (520, 902 sq mi), making it the third largest Australian Federal Division.

     There are four components to the Northern Territory Police Insignia:

  1. St. Edwards Crown:  also known as the 'Queens Crown', and symbolising Her Majesty's Government.
  2. Laurel Wreath: (Featuring the Territory's floral emblem, the Sturt Desert Rose), symbolising achievement, victory and pride, and having it's origins in ancient Greece, where the victors of athletic and literacy contents were awarded a coronet of wild olive leaves. This laurel wreath symbolised the best and most worthy.
  3. Kangaroo: symbolising the Australian outback.
  4. Scrolls: displaying the words 'Northern Territory Police', and  the Police motto, 'To Serve and Protect'.

For further information about the Northern Territory Police please visit:

 

http://www.pfes.nt.gov.au/Police.aspx 

 

 

Victoria Police

VICTORIA POLICE

Cloth patch Insignia of the Victoria Police

     The Victoria Police (VicPol) is the primary law enforcement agency in the state of Victoria (Vic).  On 8 January, 1853, the Victoria Police was formed when the Police Regulation Act became law.

Map of Victoria Australia     Victoria is a State of Australia, and is located in the south-east of the Country (see map).  The capital of Victoria is Melbourne, which is the State's most populous city. Victoria is bordered by New South Wales to the north, South Australia to the west and the Tasman sea / Bass Strait to the South.

     Victoria is Australia's smallest mainland state, and is Australia's most densely populated state. Victoria, like Queensland, was named after Queen Victoria, the monarch at the time.

     There are six components to the Victoria Police insignia:

  1. The Crown: is the symbol of Royal authority and the allegiance of Victoria Police members to the Sovereign. It shows that the Organisation of Her Majesty the Queen, is controlled by the State of Victoria.
  2. The Circular Title Band: this item of the insignia has two words 'VICTORIA' and 'POLICE' within the band, and tells people which Police Service the badge belongs to.
  3. The Five-Pointed Star: symbolising that members of the Victoria Police will go in any direction to perform their duties.
  4. The Motto: 'Uphold the Right' is the motto on the curent Victoria Police Insignia / shoulder patches, having been translated from the French 'Tenez Le Droit', which appeared on previous insignia / shoulder patches.
  5. The Centre Piece: representing the constellation of the Southern Cross. The red background of the cross indicates the link/connection between Victoria Police and the Queen/Royalty.
  6. The Laurel Wreath: symbolising bravery.

For further information about the Victoria Police please visit:

 

www.police.vic.gov.au

 

 

 

South Australia Police Insignia

SOUTH AUSTRALIA POLICE.

     The South Australia Police (SAPOL) is the primary law enforcement agency in the State of South Australia (SA).  The South Australia Police was Australia's first centrally orgainised police service, and was formed on 28 April, 1938.

     South Australia is a State of Australia, and is located in the south of the Country (see map).  The capital city of South Australia is Adelaide, which is the State's most populous city.  South Australia is bordered by New South Wales and Victoria to the east, Queensland to the north-east, the Northern Territory to the north, Western Australia to the west, and the Great Australian Bight and the Indian Ocean to the south.

     There are four components to the South Australia Police insignia:

  1. The Crown:  symbolising Royal authority and the Queen as Head of State and Head of Police.
  2. The Laurel Wreath:  symbolising achievement, victory and valour, and having it's origins in ancient Greece, where the victors of athletic and literacy contests were awarded a coronet of wild olive leaves. This laurel wreath symbolised the best and most worthy.
  3. The Circular Title Band:  this item of the insignia has the words "SOUTH AUSTRALIA' and 'POLICE' within the band, and tells people which Police Service the badge belongs to.
  4. The State Emblem:  depicting the 'Piping Shrike', which is the emblematic bird that appears on the South Australian flag, State Badge and Coat of Arms. The bird appears 'displayed proper' with its wings outstretched and curved upwards. Although the image of the Piping Shrike is readily identified with South Australia, the bird in its own rights has never been formerly adopted as a faunal or bird emblem of the State.

For further information about the South Australia Police please visit:

 

www.sapolice.sa.gov.au

 

Queensland Police Service

QUEENSLAND POLICE SERVICE

     The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is the primary law enforcement agency in the State of Queensland (Qld). In 1990, the Queensland Police Force was officially renamed the Queensland Police Service with the old motto of 'Firmness with Courtesy' changed to 'With Honour We Serve'. 

          Queensland is a state of Australia, and is located in the east of the Country (see map).  The capital city of Queensland is Brisbane, which is the State's most populous city.  Queensland is bordered by New South Wales to the south, the Northern Territory to the west, South Australia to the south west, and the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean to the east.

     Queensland as a state did not exist until 6 June 1859. The area now called Queensland was known as North Eastern New South Wales. The colony would have been under the jurisdiction of the New South Wales Police Force up until Queensland established its own Police Force.

     There are six components to the Queensland Police Service Insignia:

  1. Queen's Crown:  at the apex recognises the Queen as Head of State and Head of the Queensland Police.
  2. Small Queen's Crown: at the centre of the insignia has been appropriated from the Queensland Flag, and symbolises loyalty to the State of Queensland and its people. The crown is a direct link with the Monarchy, as Queen Victoria selected the name 'Queensland'.
  3. Maltese Cross: another appropriation from the Queensland Flag, it has its origin steeped in Medieval Chivalry. The cross represents the primary symbol of Christianity, dating back to the time of the Crusades. It was the sign adopted in 1113 by the Sovereign Military Order of the Knights Hospitaller of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta. The Code of this Order of Warrior Monks was Courage, Honour and Service.
  4. The Wreath: symbolising achievement, victory and pride, and having its origins in ancient Greece, where the victors of athletic and literacy contests were awarded a coronet of wild olive leaves. This laurel wreath symbolised the best and most worthy.
  5. The Belt: symbolising strength and authority. In medieval times, the belt was worn as a mark of rank. An Earl, Knight or Champion was entitled to wear a belt.
  6. The Motto: 'With Honour We Serve" represents the new emphasis in the Queensland Police on Service to the Community. The motto was chosen from suggestions made by the public through a competition.

For further information about the Queensland Police Service please visit:

 

www.police.qld.gov.au

 

 

         

 

 

Police Insignia - Australia

     Although only a relatively 'young' country, Australia has some of the longest running, formerly established and recognzed, Police Forces in the World.

     There are two 'levels' of Police Forces in Australia, both having a very similar 'law enforcement / investigation' responsibility. These are the State Police Forces, which are primarily responsible for enforcing, and investigating crimes against, the state law within their respective states, and the Australian Federal Police, which is primarily responsible for investigating crimes against Commonwealth Law, which occurs throughout the country.

     Each of the State Police Forces, and the Australian Federal Police, are recognized by the 'insignia' used to represent that organization.  The insignia is used as part of the uniform worn by members of the Australian Police Forces, and are steeped in symbolism that conveys meaning to both those wearing it, and those viewing it.

     This web-site will present each of the current 'insignia', in the form of the 'shoulder patch', of the Australian Police Forces, both State and Federal, and will explain the symbolic meaning behind each. This is a two-fold purpose. The first is to provide an understanding behind the insignia itself, and what is represented by the layout and inclusion of the parts of the insignia, and secondly to provide collectors of insignia, an idea of the current shoulder patches of the Australian Police Forces.

     The hobby of collecting, and trading, law-enforcement patches and/or badges can be a very serious 'business' for some, but for others, it can be a bit of fun. Whatever the motivation behind the hobby, the scarcer the patch the more value amongst collectors it has.  The Australian Police Forces have a 'Condemnation' Policy, relating to items of uniform, which basically means that for one uniform article issued to a Police Officer, one has to be returned, making the patches of the Australian Police Forces extremely rare in collecting terms.

 

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