In brass, paint, and clear resin. The medallion is 33 mm wide. The inscription encircling the bas-relief in the center medallion reads "40th anniversary of the German People's Police. In Service to the People." The issue box is in plastic, with the fitted space on the bottom cut out of cardboard finished with ersatz short-nap velvet.

In fine condition. The resin covering the suspension has a vertical crack and a few hairlines, the latter visible only at magnification. Inspecting the medallion at x10 magnification reveals minor wear to the edge of the resin, not obvious to the naked eye. The pin attachment is fully functional. The lid of the box is lightly scuffed but has no crack or significant scratches.

The East German People's Police (die Deutsche Volkspolizei, or DVP) was officially founded on 31 October 1945 when the Soviet Military Administration in Germany authorized the arming of community-level police forces, thus preceding the year of foundation of the German Democratic Republic itself.