Back to Medals and Decorations of Israel

Decorations of the Israel Police

Decorations are granted in accordance with the Law of Decorations of the Israel Police and Prison Service (1972). Police Regulations 05.05.12 describes the rules of awarding the decorations, 05.05.01 define the rules for wearing the decorations and ribbons. Decorations can be awarded to police personnel as well as to civilians.

	Medal of Valor Awarded for an act of supreme heroism in the line of duty, at the risk of life. This decoration can only be awarded by the Minister of Internal Security. More on this medal
	Medal of Courage Awarded for an act of gallantry at the risk of life and in the line of duty, revealing extraordinary courage. This decoration is awarded by the Chief Commissioner of Police. More on this medal
	Medal of Distinguished Service Awarded for an act of exemplary bravery. This decoration is awarded by the Chief Commissioner of Police. More on this medal
	Service Medal Awarded for service at the Israel Police, distinguished by an outstanding contribution to the achievement of the goals of the Police, through a single outstanding act, perseverance or exemplary dedication. This decoration is awarded by the Chief Commissioner of Police. More on this medal
	Volunteers Medal Awarded for an outstanding contribution to the achievement of the goals of the Civil Guard, through a single outstanding act, perseverance or exemplary dedication. This decoration was awarded by the Chief Commissioner of Police. This medal was abolished on January 20, 2010. More on this medal

Multiple awards
In case somebody is entitled an additional time to the same decoration, a clasp is awarded instead of an additional medal, to be placed on the ribbon of the decoration.

Posthumous awards
Decorations can be awarded posthumously.

Award ceremonies
Once a year award ceremonies are held.

Rules for wearing
Besides the above ribbons, also the IDF decorations, campaign ribbons and Operational Service badge may be worn by policemen. Ribbons are worn above the left chest pocket and are placed in chronological order of the campaigns. If more than 2 or 3 ribbons are worn, the later ribbons are added above the bottom row of ribbons. Decorations are placed in the upper row.
Policemen are allowed to wear the medals of the decorations only during the Independence Day of Israel. During other occasions, only the ribbons are to be worn.

Police Citations:

	Police Commissioner's Citation Bestowed for the first time on September 2009 to 10 Police officers and Border Guard warriors. Read more about this citation
	Jerusalem Police District Commander's Citation Bestowed for the first time on September 2023 to a police officer who neutralized a female terrorist in an attack two years ago. Read more about this citation
	Border Police Commissioner's Citation Bestowed for the first time on January 18, 2023. The first recipient was Kobi Shabtai, the Commissioner of Israel Police. Read more about this citation

Samples of policemen wearing IDF decorations and campaign ribbons:

Chief Superintendent Yaakov Berman, with the IDF decoration of Courage and Police decoration of Courage

Major General Hussain Fares, commander of Israel's border police

Northern District Commander, Major General Roni Atiya

Jerusalem Mounted Police officer, wearing the ribbon of the Second Lebanon War on his ceremonial uniform

Police Major General Shahar Ayalon
Beneath his IDF parachute wings, he wears the campaign ribbons of the Yom Kippur war,the two Lebanon wars and the police distinguished service ribbon.