Honour Badge Of The German People's Police.

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The Decoration/Medal of the German Peoples Police/Ehrenzeichen der Deutschen Volkspolizei was a State award of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), founded in accordance with command no. 41 from Nikolai Berzarin on May 12th, 1945.
On June 1st, 1949 this medal was awarded for the first time to merit members of the Volkspolizei.
Confirmation of the institution of the award was signed by Erich Mielke and Kurt Fischer.
The award was for outstanding achievements in the comprehensive construction of socialism, as well as in the consolidation of the Arbeiter-und-Bauern-Macht. Also for personal bravery and selfless actions in the the protection of the German Democratic Republic. It could be awarded for outstanding services in strengthening of the armed institutions of the Ministry of the Interior.
In 1956 the award critaria was changed to allow not only individuals but also collectives and entire departments to be be honoured.

First form (1949-1955)

This is a green enameled pinback award with a diameter of 35 mm which shows on the obverse in the center a silver inscription with the underlying police Star FÜR DIENST AM VOLKE /for service to the people, which represents about 1/4 of the circle. Two gilted figures are depicted on the Silver Police Star, seen left a worker and right a policeman who together carry a flag which extends 5 mm beyond the top of the medal. In the The flag itself was until 1955, golden letters which read, DEM VORBILDLICHEN VOLKSPOLIZISTEN.
The reverse is smooth and has a vertically soldered pin and an award number.
Up to award number 0700 the Medal was bronze, 0701 to 1500 iron then again up to 8000 bronze. The Medal was worn on the upper left chest.

Second form (1956-1962)

The second form of the award is similar to the first form. But with the significant difference that the two line inscription on the flag is missing. The award number is also seen on the back and ranged from 6001 to 8000.

Third form (1963-1964)

The third form of the award remained mainly unchanged. However, this form no longer possessed only the German black-red-gold flag, but also showed the coat of arms of the GDR. The needle that is attached on the reverse of the award was soldered horizontally and not vertically as in the previous variations.
Awards were no longer numbered.

Fourth form (1965-1990)

The fourth and final form of the Medal from the year 1965 shows an unchanged badge, which however is no longer a pinback, but on a pentagonal medal suspension devise.
This fourth form has in itself minor variations that can be observed.
From 1965-1970 the reverse was smooth and the miniature on the ribbon bar was 15mm and the ribbon itself was darker.
The model from 1971-1990 could have a smooth or pattened reverse, this being either pebbled or a honeycomb design.
The miniature on the ribbon bar was smaller, 10,5 mm and the ribbon was generally lighter or much lighter in colour.

The medal bars of the first two forms were the same, light green with red border stripes(1,5mm) 2 mm from each edge.
Those of the third and fourth forms had miniature copies of the medals added, in the case of the third form 15mm in size and on the fourth form 10,5mm.

The images below show the first three forms, the fourth form and variations in the ribbon colours and the three different reverses.

Regards Eddie