Australian Commonwealth Peace Officer buttons, 1935-60

2 white metal buttons 21mm and 15mm .

Australian Commonwealth Peace Officer buttons — white metal, maker Stokes & Sons, Melbourne, c.1935–1960
The Commonwealth Peace Officer Guard was Australia’s first uniformed national law enforcement body. Originally established in 1935 as a section of the Commonwealth Investigation Branch, the Peace Officers provided personnel for the guarding of Commonwealth establishments, and were the first uniformed element of national law enforcement.
The Peace Officer Guard operated at establishments such as munitions factories, research facilities and certain Commonwealth Government departments. During the Second World War their role expanded significantly, providing security at sensitive wartime installations across the country.
Peace Officers held full constabulary powers — the same privileges, immunities, duties and responsibilities as any constable or police officer under Commonwealth or common law.
In 1960, the Peace Officer Guard combined with the plain-clothed Commonwealth Investigation Service to form the new Commonwealth Police, which in 1979 became the Australian Federal Police.