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412 Awards Program (Revised 09-07-2017)FRIDLEY POLICE DATE OF ISSUE NUMBER: GENERAL ORDER May 15, 2008 412 SUBJECT: REVISION DATE SECTION: Awards Program September 7, 2017 Green I. POLICY The Fridley Police Department has established high standards of work performance for all department members. When a department member performs at a level that exceeds those standards established by the department, the department feels it most important to express to the member special recognition for a job well done. This recognition plays an important role in building professionalism, enthusiasm, and dedication into a department member’s performance and attitude. The department will recognize those members who perform above department standards by issuing department awards and letters of commendation. The type of recognition to be given will be decided by the Commendation Review Board (CRB) assigned that function by the Public Safety Director. II. DEFINITIONS Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor ranks as the highest award in the Police Department and can be awarded posthumously to a member who loses his/her life in the performance of his/her duty under honorable circumstances. The Medal of Honor may be awarded to a member in recognition of an act of extraordinary bravery performed in the line of duty at imminent personal danger to life and safety. It may be awarded for an act of gallantry and valor above and beyond the call of duty. Cases of “natural death” while on duty, while tragic, do not fall within the range of this award. Accidental deaths shall be considered by the CRB on a case by case basis. Medal of Valor The Medal of Valor may be awarded to members who distinguish themselves by conspicuous bravery or heroism above and beyond the normal demands of service. To be awarded the Medal of Valor, a member would have performed an act displaying extreme courage while consciously facing imminent peril or serious physical injury. Department Award of Merit The Department Award of Merit may be awarded to any member of the department for an outstanding accomplishment which has resulted in improved administration, substantially improved operation, or where a member has gone far beyond the requirements of the member’s normal assignment to contribute to a more effective and efficient police service. The Award of Merit may also be given for outstanding performance that has brought credit to the department. Lifesaving Award The Lifesaving Award may be awarded to a member for an act in the line of duty which, through disregard for personal safety, or by prompt and alert action, directly results in the saving of a human life. Purple Heart Award The Purple Heart Award may be awarded to a member who has been seriously wounded or killed in any action against a criminal suspect as a result of an act by the criminal suspect, or while engaged in other law enforcement duties that may result in a hostile act. Certificate of Commendation Any member of the police department performing their duties in a superior manner, bringing credit to themselves and the Fridley Police Department may be nominated for a Certificate of Commendation. Citizen Service Award The Citizen Service Award may be awarded whenever a citizen renders valuable or courageous assistance to members of the Fridley Police Department or the public, particularly when a citizen takes prompt action without regard for their own safety. Safe Driving Certificate Any patrol officer completing five (5) consecutive years without a chargeable city vehicle crash and each subsequent five (5) years in which a patrol officer has not had a chargeable city vehicle crash may be nominated for a Safe Driving Certificate. III. PROCEDURE A. COMMENDATION REVIEW BOARD The function of the CRB is to review all formal submissions and requests for employee awards. Any police officer, civilian employee, supervisor, or volunteer member of the Fridley Police Department who performs outstanding service to the police department above and beyond that expected in the normal line of duty shall be eligible for consideration for an award. 1. The CRB will consist of the following members appointed by the Public Safety Director. One member will be designated the Chairperson: a. Police Administrator b. Sergeant c. Patrol Officer d. Police Civilian Employee 2. Requests or recommendations for an award may be received from any person(s) including fellow employees, supervisors, administration, or members of the community. An Award Nomination Form shall be used to submit nominations to the CRB. a. Nominations will not be accepted by the CRB on an- incident after one (1) year from its initial occurrence, unless unique circumstances exist. The CRB would then consider those circumstances. b. In the case of a nomination from a member of the community, it will be routed to the named employee’s supervisor who will determine whether or not the employee’s action was indeed worthy of nomination. If so, the supervisor will complete an Award Nomination Form to the CRB. c. Regardless of the source of the Award Nomination Form, all supporting materials such as reports, letters, news clippings, statements, etc., that are relevant to the nomination should be attached to the nomination form. All forms and supporting documents will be forwarded to the CRB. 3. It shall be the responsibility of the Chairperson of the CRB to: a. Set the date for Board hearings; b. Ensure that all CRB members are notified of the date, time and location of the Board hearing; and c. Gather all supporting documents for the award nomination. If further investigation is warranted, the Chairperson will assign a member of the CRB to perform the investigation. d. Serve as a voting member for all nominations; e. Present the findings to the Public Safety Director. 4. Duties of the CRB include: a. Ensure that all nominations for awards are investigated fully to verify that the action to be commended is legitimate and properly documented; b. Receive and evaluate all requests for medals, ribbons, commendations and then recommending appropriate action to the Public Safety Director; c. Reclassify the award at the Boards discretion. 5. The Public Safety Director, or designee, shall conduct the final review of all recommendations, and reserves the right to approve or amend any nomination and award recommendation by the CRB. B. AWARDING OF MEDALS, COMMENDATION BARS, AND CERTIFICATES: 1. The Medal of Honor award will consist of a medal on a Neck Ribbon. It will be accompanied with an enameled Commendation Bar to be worn on the uniform. a. In cases where the Medal of Honor is awarded posthumously: 1) The Medal of Honor is presented to the spouse or other members of the family as determined by the CRB. 2) The Medal of Honor may be given in addition to any other award the member may have been entitled to while making the ultimate sacrifice. 2. The Medal of Valor award will consist of a medal on a Neck Ribbon. It will be accompanied with an enameled Commendation Bar to be worn on the uniform. 3 The Department Award of Merit award will consist of a medal on a Neck Ribbon. It will be accompanied with an enameled Commendation Bar to he worn on the uniform. 4. The Life Saving award will consist of a medal on a Neck Ribbon. It will be accompanied with an enameled Red and White Commendation Bar with a red cross in the middle. 5. The Purple Heart award will consist of a medal on a purple neck ribbon. It will be accompanied with an enameled Purple Commendation Bar to be worn on the uniform. 6. The Certificate of Commendation will be a gold leaf paper detailing the accomplishment of the officer and signed by the Public Safety Director. 7. The Citizens Service Award will consist of a medal on a ribbon. The medal will display a panel with “Citizen Service Medal” on it. C. WEARING OF MEDALS AND COMMENDATION BARS 1. When an officer receives an award Commendation Bar, it may be worn in a horizontal fashion, well centered, starting above the right pocket and name tag on the uniform shirt. 2. If an officer has received more than one type of Commendation Bar, the most highly regarded award shall be worn on top, all centered in a horizontal display. 3. If an officer receives more than one award for an incident, the officer shall only display the highest ranking award from that incident on their duty uniform. 4. The officer may wear all medals received when wearing the class A uniform D. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS REGARDING AWARDS 1. A member of the Fridley Police Department may be issued an award from the police department for acts that occurred outside the city limits. 2. This General Order may also be applied to officers from other agencies that engage in law enforcement activities in the City of Fridley.