 Recipients were entitled to use the post-nominal letters SOO, standing for "Stella Officii Optimi", the Latin form of the name.Instituted on 20 May 1963, retrospective to 31 May 1961, the SOO superseded the Queen's Police Medal.It was awarded to all ranks of the South African Police, for particular gallantry, or for outstanding service, resourcefulness, leadership, or sense of responsibility and personal example.