History

The Medal for Security of the Interior was created on March 28, 2012. It is awarded by the Minister of the Interior.

It is awarded for exceptional service, courageous acts, or any other acts that surpass what constitutes normal service and duty. The Medal may be awarded to French nationals and foreigners. The grade is decided according to the act or acts which are being recognized. The Medal may also be awarded posthumously, in which case it is a Gold Medal.

The Medal is worn with a ribbon clasp. These clasps include “SECRÉTARIAT GÉNÉRAL” (Secretary General), “ADMINISTRATION” (Administration), “PRÉFECTORALE” (Prefect), “FONCTION PUBLIQUE TERRITORIALE” (Domestic Public Service), “ÉLU” (Elected Representative), “POLICE NATIONALE” (National Police Force), “POLICE MUNICIPALE” (Local Police), “GENDARMERIE NATIONALE” (National Gendarmerie), “SÉCURITÉ CIVILE” (Civil Defence), “SÉCURITÉ ROUTIÈRE” (Road Safety), “ASSOCIATIONS,” “ENGAGEMENT CITOYEN” (Citizen Engagement), “ACTION HUMANITAIRE,” (Humanitarian Service), “SAPEUR-POMPIERS” (Firefighters), “DIRECTION GÉNÉRALE DES ÉTRANGERS EN FRANCE” (Management of Foreigners in France), “GIPN 40e ANNIVERSAIRE” (National Police Intervention Groups 40th Anniversary), “ENGAGEMENT VOLONTARIAT 2013” (Volunteer Engagement), “PHILIPPINES 2013,” “70e ANNIVERSAIRE DU DEBARQUEMENT” (70th Anniversary of D-Day), “SERBIE 2014” (Serbia 2014), “CYCLONE BEJISA 2014,” “ACCIDENT DU VOL AH 5017 OUAGADOUGOU-ALGER” (Accident of AH 5017 Ouagadougou-Alger), “SUÈDE 2014” (Sweden 2014), “GUINÉE 2014” (Guinea 2014), “ATTENTATS JANVIER 2015” (January 2015 Attacks), “CRASH GERMANWINGS” (Germanwings Crash), “NEPAL,” “ACTE DE COURAGE ET DE DEVOUEMENT” (Act of Courage and Devotion).

The obverse has initials that stand for “French Republic,” and the reverse inscription translates to “Ministry of the Interior.”