Dismay over haste and pride as officer sells Jubilee medal

Members of the Armed Forces, the Royal Household, emergency services personnel, prison officers and living holders of the Victoria Cross and the George Cross are among those eligible for the medal, but some have wasted no time in seeking to cash in.

Medals being sold from addresses in Hull, Leeds, Rotherham, Barnsley and Catterick Garrison are among those advertised on eBay, some accompanied by comments such as “Genuine full-sized medal issued to me” and “Issued this week in a very nice presentation box”.

However, Geoff Ogden, a former head of CID at Humberside Police, said he was “appalled” the medal apparently meant so little to a serving officer.

He said: “An integral part of being in the police service is having authority under the Crown for the protection of life and property.

“If you don’t have that pride of working under the Crown, particularly at a time of jubilee like this, then I wonder whether they have got pride in the police service at all.

“I’m appalled by it and I think 99.9 per cent of police officers will be appalled by it. If I was still serving I would use disciplinary procedures to deal with this matter.”

Mr Ogden pointed out that officers swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen, which “remains the most effective mission statement”. He added: “I’m very envious of the officers serving now that have been awarded that medal because I would love to have that medal.”

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: “The Diamond Jubilee medals are issued on behalf of Her Majesty as a mark of thanks to those in key frontline services such as the Armed Forces, the Police, Prison Service, Ambulance Service and Fire and Rescue Services.

“It is very disappointing to think that some of those so honoured have decided to take this action.

“However, as long as the medals in question were legitimately acquired by those trying to sell them, then doing so is not unlawful.”