Iris an Gharda - Lughnasa 6, 1923 - Garda Siochana Historical Society, Ireland's National Police Force, www.policehistory.com

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Lughnasa 6, 1923

EDITORIAL
FOR VALOR

In the Commissioner's Report to the Minister for Home Affairs on the Third International Police Conference held in New York, May 1st-5th, 1923, General O'Duffy stated :-
"I met during my stay in the City, one of the most public spirited and influential, as well as one of the wealthiest citizens - Mr. Walter Scott, of New York City. He is deeply interested in the work of police Forces all over the world, and he was present in the Hall when I was addressing the Delegates on the organisation and training of the Civic Guard. He afterwards came to me more than once, and showed great anxiety to learn the real facts of the situation in Ireland; he was nevr satisfied ( as som many others, unfortunately, were) with the accounts as served out to the New York Press for publication, and wanted reliable information first hand. He was greatly interested in the formation of the Civic Guard, and desirous to help if he could in some way. I found also he was a great admirer of the late Commander-in-Chief - a feeling which I discovered to be shared by every man and woman, without exception, with whom I came in context. It was exactly the same on board the steamships going and returning. It was a very remarkable circumstance - there was complete and enthusiastic unity on this subject."

"Mr. Scott has already conferred many favours on the Police of New York City, and has endowed a gold medal in perpetuity, to be presented annually by the Commissioner to the member of the Force who has, in his opinion, most distinguished himself during the year. He has also conferred a similar medal on the Police of Argentina, and he has, I am pleased to say, very kindly and generously decided to endow a gold medal in perpetuity to be presented annually to the member of the Civic Guard who has in the Commissioner's opinion, most deserves the distinction, and is having a bond prepared for this purpose, the interest on which will defray annually the cost of this badge of honour with a suitable inscription. This is a very concrete example of Mr. Scott's goodwill towards the Free State and her young Police Force. It is a typical instance of public and civic spirit which animate the New York citizens, and of which our short experience affords so many."

In this issue we reproduce the design the design of the Scott Medal. The medal hangs from a blue and yellow ribbon. There are five panels on the face. The top panel bears the inscription "The Scott Medal" - the name by which the medal will be known, and on the lower panel are the two words signifying the purpose - "For Valor." On the right and left are the arms of the U.S.A. and Ireland, respectively. In the centre are inscribed the intertwined letters G.S. - the initisals of the words, Gharda Siothchana. On the back are the arms of the four provinces, and the inscription, Gharda Siothchana na h-Éireann. On the centre section of the back will be inscribed the name of the Guard to whom the medal will be awarded. The design is simple, but beautiful, and reflects great credit on the artist, Mr. J.F. Maxwell, 4 Derrynane Parade, N.C.R., Dublin. The workmanship, needless to say, will be the work of an Irish goldsmith.

On behalf of General O'Duffy and the Gharda Siothchana we offer our warmest and sincerest thanks to Mr. Scott for his "goodwill toward the Free State and her young Police Force."