British Mandate Palestine Police Officer rank “pips” for senior officers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestine_Police_Force

This is a “Pips” – the most recognizable rank insignia of officers in the British Mandate Police Force. The item in the picture is a model of the “Bath Star”, based on the emblems of the British Order of the Bath.

• General shape: An eight-pointed star (four main and four secondary rays), designed in the style of a square Maltese cross.
• Center: In the heart of the star appear three crowns, representing the three historically united kingdoms: England, Scotland and Ireland.
• Inscription (motto): Around the crowns appears the Latin inscription “TRIA JUNCTA IN UNO” (three united into one), the motto of the Order of the Bath.
• Laurel wreath: The crowns and motto are surrounded by a wreath of laurel leaves, an ancient Roman symbol of military glory and victory.

The Mandate Police, as a British colonial police force, adopted the British Army’s rank system. These stars were worn on the epaulettes of officers:

The police epaulettes in Israel were usually made of white metal, as opposed to the gold or bronze epaulettes of the army, to distinguish the civilian police force from the regular army.

The distinction between the two types of “stars” is very important for understanding the structure of the Mandate Police, as it reflects the separation between the different ranks in the force:

1. The star with the Latin motto

This is the standard and official **”Bath Star”** of British officers.

• Who used it: Mainly British officers in the ranks of “Superior Officers”, starting from the rank of ASP (Assistant District Inspector) and above.
• When: Throughout the entire Mandate period (1920–1948).
• Meaning: It symbolized belonging to the British Imperial officer system. An officer wearing such a star was considered a “Commissioned Officer” by the King.
• This is an original item of the officer insignia used in Israel until 1948