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RCMP Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

This year marks the 75^th Anniversary of the RCMP Long Service and Good Conduct medal.  The Long Service medal is this nation's oldest continuously bestowed medal.  The medal was not only the first Canadian honour, it was the first Long Service medal in the Commonwealth awarded to both officers and non-commissioned officers.

Its purpose is to mark 20 years of service to the Force and the people of Canada.  Furthermore, it is bestowed to those members who are of irreproachable character and best exemplify the core values of the RCMP - integrity, honesty, professionalism, compassion, respect and accountability.

The Long Service medal was first suggested by RCMP Commissioner Cortlandt Starnes (1923 - 1931) in 1925.  Commissioner Starnes saw the need for a long service medal in order to honour those members who, not only served their country for extended periods, but epitomized what it is to be a member of the Force.  This suggestion was subsequently accepted by Order-in-Council in 1928 and the first prototype medal received Royal approval in 1932. Since its creation, there have been some 20,000 medals awarded to members of the Force.

The Long Service and Good Conduct medals shown help give a sense of the long and proud history of this prestigious award.  The recipients of these artefacts, from left to right: S/Sgt. E.M. Jacques (1902-1947), Sgt. G.W. Brinkworth (1898 - 1924), A/Cmmr. A.J. Cawdron (1920 - 1935, prior service with the Dominion Police when absorbed) and Sgt. R.P. Cudmore (1931 - 1952).