HC Deb 28 November 1995 vol 267 c658W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out the rules governing the recommendations for gallantry awards to police officers, with particular reference to the circumstances in which a lesser award may be made than the one for which a recommendation has been made. [2237]

Mr. Maclean

There are four categories of civilian gallantry award which may be made to police officers:

  1. (i) of the highest order (George cross)
  2. (ii) of an extremely high order (George medal)
  3. (iii) of a high order (Queen's gallantry medal)
  4. (iv) not up to the foregoing standards, but entailing risk to life and meriting recognition (Queen's commendation for bravery or the Queen's commendation for bravery in the air)

The category for which a case may be considered depends on the circumstances of the case and partly upon the risk of death to the person being nominated.

There are three main factors which must be evident in the actions taken. Firstly, the act of bravery must be carried out in the knowledge of the risk. Secondly the act must show persistence in the face of danger and, thirdly, there must have been a degree of choice in taking positive action. A lesser award will be made than the one recommended if the circumstances of the case do not merit a higher award.