Bidspirit auction | German Police Long Service Award,

German Police Long Service Award, Third Reich Period - German Police Long Service Award, Third Reich Period This cross-shaped decoration was awarded to members of the German police for extended years of service under the Third Reich. The obverse displays the eagle-and-swastika device typical of state awards of the period, while the reverse carries the inscription ”FÜR TREUE DIENSTE IN DER POLIZEI, ” identifying it specifically as a police long-service commendation. Such crosses were issued in tiers corresponding to length of service, with design and finish varying according to the grade awarded. The Polizei-Dienstauszeichnung was instituted in the 1930s to recognise long and loyal service within the German police, which was progressively incorporated into the Nazi state apparatus and, under Himmler, brought under SS oversight. Awards were graded according to years served, typically ranging from eight years up to twenty-five or more, with higher grades rendered in more elevated forms befitting the extended tenure. Recipients included regular uniformed police (Ordnungspolizei) as well as other branches absorbed into the police system during the Third Reich, making these decorations a common survival from that administrative structure.