[3] It is, within the Canadian system of honours, the first and highest of the exemplary service medals.

[2] The Police Exemplary Service Medal is circular in shape, 36 millimetres (1+7⁄16 in) in diameter and made of silver-coloured metal.

The obverse of the medal depicts a maple leaf with the scales of justice superimposed upon the center.

[4] The medal is suspended by a stylized inverted fleur-de-lis on a straight suspension bar.

[4] Each additional 10-year period of full-time service may qualify recipients for award of a bar to the medal.