Decoration of honor of the German People's Police
The medal badge of honor of the German People's Police was a state award of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), whose foundation was ordered by Nikolai Erastowitsch Bersarin from May 12, 1945 to June 1, 1949 and for the first time on that day also to deserving relatives was awarded to the People's Police. The publication of the order was signed by Erich Mielke and Kurt Fischer . The award was made for outstanding achievements in the comprehensive construction of socialism and in the consolidation of workers-and-peasants power. Furthermore, for personal bravery and selfless commitment of oneself to the protection of the GDR. It could also be awarded for excellent work in strengthening the armed organs of the Ministry of the Interior. From 1956 it could not only be used to honor individuals, but also collectives and entire departments.
Appearance and wearing style
First form (1949–1955)
The green enamelled medal as a cross with a diameter of 35 mm shows on its obverse a silver police star in the middle with the inscription below: FOR SERVICE OF THE PEOPLE , which makes up about 1/4 of the circle. Two gold-colored people are depicted on the silver police star. Seen from the observer, a worker on the left and a policeman on the right, both of whom carry a black-red-gold flag that extends 5 mm beyond the upper edge of the medal. On the flag itself, in the black and red field until 1955, in gold lettering with a black border, you can read : THE EXEMPLARY / PEOPLE'S POLICEMAN . The reverse of the medal is smooth and shows a vertically soldered needle and a stamped award number. Up to the award number 0700 the medal was made of bronze, from 0701 to 1500 it was made of iron and then again up to the award number of 8000 made of bronze. The medal was worn as a cross on the left upper side of the chest. The interim clasp was covered with light green fabric in which two vertical 1.5 mm wide red stripes are woven, which are 2 mm from the hem.
Second form (1956–1962)
The second form of the medal is similar to the first form. However, with the significant difference that the two-line inscription on the flag is missing. Their award numbers, which can also be seen on the back, range from 6001 to 8000. The medal was worn as a cross on the upper left side of the chest. The interim clasp was covered with light green fabric in which two vertical 1.5 mm wide red stripes are woven that are 2mm from the hem.
Third form (1963–1964)
The third form of the medal remained externally unchanged, and nothing changed in the way it was worn. However, this shape no longer had the well-known black, red and gold flag of Germany, but also featured the GDR's national coat of arms introduced in 1959 . From 1964, the needle attached to the back of the medal was also soldered horizontally and no longer vertically. A possibly struck award number was completely missing from this point in time. The interim clasp remained the same and showed the changed 15 mm high miniature of the medal.
Fourth form (1965–1990)
The fourth and last form of the medal from 1965 shows the unchanged medal, which was no longer worn as a cross, but on a pentagonal pentagonal clasp, which had the same design as the previous forms. The interim clasp was of the same quality, but only showed a 10 mm high miniature of the medal.