Des Plaines Police Department Commendations and Awards PDF

Policy Des Plaines Police Department 1012 Des Plaines PD Policy Manual Commendations and Awards 1012.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy provides general guidelines for recognizing commendable or meritorious acts of members of the Des Plaines Police Department and individuals from the community. 1012.2...

Policy Des Plaines Police Department 1012 Des Plaines PD Policy Manual Commendations and Awards 1012.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy provides general guidelines for recognizing commendable or meritorious acts of members of the Des Plaines Police Department and individuals from the community. 1012.2 POLICY It is the policy of the Des Plaines Police Department to recognize and acknowledge exceptional individual or group achievements, performance, proficiency, heroism and service of its members and individuals from the community through commendations and awards. 1012.3 COMMENDATIONS Commendations for members of the Department or for individuals from the community may be initiated by any department member or by any person from the community. 1012.4 AWARDS Awards may be bestowed upon members of the Department, and include the following: Letter of Appreciation - An award presented to any employee documenting any act or level of performance deemed noteworthy. A copy of the letter will go into the employee's personnel file. Honorable Mention - An award presented to any employee who has exhibited exceptional effort and has significantly contributed to the operation of the Department. An Honorable Mention award will consist of a certificate, and a copy will go into the employee's personnel file. Department Commendation - An award presented to any employee who performs an outstanding police act with diligence, perseverance or exceptional ability that notably contributes to enhancing the image of the Department. A Departmental Commendation award consists of a certificate, of which a copy will go into the employee's personnel file, and a blue commendation bar, which shall be worn on the uniform and shall be centered over the nameplate. A star will be added to the commendation bar for each additional commendation given to the same employee. Life Saving Award - An award presented to any employee for an act performed in the line of duty which, through prompt and alert action, results in saving a life. A Life Saving award consists of a plaque, a red and white commendation bar, which shall be worn on the uniform and shall be centered over the nameplate, and a medal, which shall only be worn for parades or special ceremonies. A star will be added to the commendation bar for each additional award given to the same employee with a limit of two stars. Any Life Saving awards resulting from Narcan deployments, will consist of a paper certificate only. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/02/13, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Des Plaines Police Department Commendations and Awards - 1 Des Plaines Police Department Des Plaines PD Policy Manual Commendations and Awards Award of Valor - An award presented to any employee for an outstanding act of bravery or heroism by which the employee has demonstrated, in great degree, the characteristics of selflessness, personal courage and a devotion to duty. The Award of Valor will consist of a plaque, a red commendation bar, which shall be worn on the uniform and shall be centered over the nameplate, and a medal, which shall only be worn for parades and special ceremonies. An additional plaque, commendation bar and medal will be issued for each additional Award of Valor given to the same employee. Police Star - An award presented to any employee who has been seriously, critically or fatally injured while in direct performance of police duty. The award will be limited to those cases resulting from an attack by an armed adversary, or in the performance of an act which would result in an Award of Valor. The Police Star award will consist of a plaque, a blue and purple commendation bar, which shall be worn on the uniform and shall be centered over the nameplate, and a medal, which shall only be worn for parades or special ceremonies. An additional plaque, commendation bar and medal will be issued for each additional Police Star award given to the same employee. If the employee's injuries are fatal, the award will be given to the employee's family at a special ceremony, at which time the employee's duty star shall be retired and placed in a case or prominent place in the front lobby of the police station. 1012.4.1 DEPARTMENT MEMBER DOCUMENTATION Members of the Department should document meritorious or commendable acts. The documentation should contain: (a) Identifying information: 1. For members of the Department - name, division and assignment at the date and time of the meritorious or commendable act 2. For individuals from the community - name, address, telephone number (b) A brief account of the meritorious or commendable act with report numbers, as appropriate. (c) The signature of the member submitting the documentation. 1012.4.2 COMMUNITY MEMBER DOCUMENTATION Documentation of a meritorious or commendable act submitted by a person from the community should be accepted in any form. However, written documentation is preferred. Department members accepting the documentation should attempt to obtain detailed information regarding the matter, including: (a) Identifying information: 1. For members of the Department - name, division and assignment at the date and time of the meritorious or commendable act 2. For individuals from the community - name, address, telephone number Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/02/13, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Des Plaines Police Department Commendations and Awards - 2 Des Plaines Police Department Des Plaines PD Policy Manual Commendations and Awards (b) A brief account of the meritorious or commendable act with report numbers, as appropriate. (c) The signature of the person submitting the documentation. 1012.4.3 PROCESSING DOCUMENTATION Documentation regarding the meritorious or commendable act of a member of the Department should be forwarded to the appropriate Deputy Chief for his/her review. The Deputy Chief should sign and forward the documentation to the Chief of Police for his/her review. The Chief of Police or the authorized designee will present the commendation to the department member for his/her signature. The documentation will then be returned to the Administrative secretary for entry into the member’s personnel file. Documentation regarding the meritorious or commendable act of an individual from the community should be forwarded to the Administrative Deputy Chief. The documentation will be signed by the Deputy Chief and forwarded to the Chief of Police for his/her review. An appropriate venue or ceremony to acknowledge the individual’s actions should be arranged. Documentation of the commendation shall be maintained in a file designated for such records. 1012.4.4 FORWARDING COMMENDATION TO SHERIFF’S MERIT COMMISSION When applicable, the commendation may be furnished to the Merit Commission (55 ILCS 5/3-8016). 1012.5 PRESENTATION OF AWARDS The Letter of Appreciation, Honorable Mention, and Life Saving Awards for Narcan Deployment shall be presented to the employee by his immediate supervisor. The Department Commendation shall be presented to the employee by the Chief of Police. The Award of Valor, the Police Star, and non Narcan related Life Saving Awards shall be presented to the employee by the Chief of Police at a ceremony commensurate with the honor of the occasion. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/02/13, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Des Plaines Police Department Commendations and Awards - 3