The award was the police equivalent of the Silver Cross of Rhodesia and, because of the BSAP's seniority, ranked ahead it in the official order of precedence.

The medal was a gold-plated sterling silver cross, enamelled in Oxford blue, bearing a roundel in the centre struck with the gold "wounded lion" device of the BSAP on a white field.

The cross was suspended from an Oxford blue ribbon with two narrow stripes of scarlet, edged with silver , very similar to that of the British Queen's Police Medal, which it replaced.

During an insurgent attack Edwards rescued a wounded officer and his group's radio under heavy fire, despite being shot in the right thigh and twice in the left leg.

The Conspicuous Gallantry Decoration was superseded in October 1980 by the Silver Cross of Zimbabwe, which is awarded for conspicuous bravery in perilous conditions, but which is open for award to civilians as well as military personnel.