Policy Text
CONCORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
COMMENDATION S
GENERAL ORDER: 03.14 CREATED: May 21, 2007 ISSUE D: January 4, 2023
CALEA STANDARD: EFFECTIVE: January 4, 2023
ACTION: Amends general order dated October 1, 2022.
03.14.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this general order is to establish procedu res for awarding commendations
to coworkers , as well as citizens who take heroic action within the City of Concord .
03.14 .1 POLICY
It is shall be the policy of the Concord Police De partment to confer a commendation award
or official recognition upon any coworker for action taken on or off duty as outlined in this
general order; or, any citizen as outlined in this general order.
03.14 .2 DEFINITIONS
A. COMMENDATION CHIP
A form of currency that allows coworkers to purchase official department logo
merchandise or other merchandise that may be available . Commendation Chips look
like poker chips and mimic the look of the department challenge coin. Chips with a
black border may be issued t o non -supervisory coworkers while chips with a grey
border may be issued to supervisory coworkers .
03.14 .3 ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAM
A. COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON
1. The Chief of Police shall appoint a member of the command staff to serve as the
committee chairperson for a period of one year, unless otherwise extended. The
chairperson shall serve at the discretion of the Chief of Police.
2. The chairperson shall schedule and facilitate committee meetings, provide
guidance to committee members, and ensure cons istency in the committee
voting process.
3. The chairperson shall not normally vote, but may do so to break a tie or as
otherwise directed by the Chief of Police.
General Order 03.14 COMMENDATIONS Page 2 of 12
B. COMMITTEE
1. The Chief of Police shall appoint officers and civilian coworkers to serve as
committee members for a period of one year, unless otherwise extended.
Committee members shall serve at the discretion of the Chief of Police.
2. A minimum of five (5) committee members are needed to comprise a quorum.
3. Each committee member’s vote carries equal weight . A majority vote is required
to render a recommendation to the Chief of Police.
4. The committee shall convene monthly at the call of the chairperson. Committee
meeting dates and times will vary to allow all committee members with
opportunities to participate.
5. The committee shall review nominations for Coworker of the Month , Coworker
of the Year, and nominations for service ribbons or other awards outlined in this
general order.
C. COMMITTEE SELECTION PROCESS
1. New committee member requests can be submitted for consideration at any
time. Interested coworkers can apply via memorandum through their chain of
command.
2. Bureau commanders shall refer such requests to the committee chairperson, who
shall review the requests and consult wi th the Chief of Police.
3. The Chief of Police shall periodically appoint members to the committee in order
to maintain a reasonably sized pool of committee members for the chairperson
to choose from for monthly meetings .
D. AWARD NOMINATION PROCESS
1. Any coworker may nominate another coworker by submitting a memorandum
through their chain of command. Nominations shall detail the circumstances,
coworker actions, or rationale for the nomination. Supporting documents or
evidence shall be included with the nom ination memo.
2. A nomination can include multiple coworkers who were involved in the same
incident. However, the nomination shall include the specific action or justification
for each coworker ’s nomination.
3. Rejected nominations shall not normally be res ubmitted, unless extenuating
circumstances exist. Absent additional information or evidence that is compelling
in nature, resubmitted nominations shall not be considered.
4. Nominations for Coworker of the Month shall be submitted to the chairperson no
later than the 5th of the following month.
5. Nominations for other awards may be submitted at any time, but shall be
submitted within a reasonable period of time after the incident giving rise to the
nomination.
General Order 03.14 COMMENDATIONS Page 3 of 12
03.14 .4 HEROISM AWARDS
A. MEDAL OF VALOR
1. The Medal of Valor is considered to be the highest award granted by the Concord
Police Department. It is awarded for exceptional bravery at the imminent risk of
death or serious bodily injury that goes beyond the call of duty.
2. The act may involve situations where deadly force is used against an officer, or
a successful rescue situation in which there was substantial risk of death or
serious injury to the coworker .
3. Upon the recommendation of the committee and approval by the Chief of Police,
the Medal of Valor shall be conferred upon a coworker as soon as administratively
possible.
4. The Medal of Valor award for a n officer shall consist of a certificate, a medal, an
award ribbon , and twenty (20) commendation chips .
5. The Meda l of Valor award for a civilian coworker shall consist of a certificate , a
medal , and twenty (20) commendation chips .
B. MERITORIOUS CONDUCT
1. The Meritorious Conduct award is presented to coworker who has performed a
deed of personal bravery or self -sacrifice that clearly distingu