Policy Text
Policy
1018Fremont Police Department
Commendations and Awards
1018.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides general guidelines for recognizing commendable or meritorious acts of
members of the Fremont Police Department and individuals from the community.
1018.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Fremont 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.
1018.3 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.
1018.4 CRITERIA
A meritorious or commendable act may include, but is not limited to:
•Superior handling of a difficult situation.
•Conspicuous bravery or outstanding performance.
•Any action or performance that is above and beyond typical duties.
•Saving, or attempting to save the life of another.
1018.4.1 DEPARTMENT DOCUMENTATION
Members of the Departmentwho observe or are aware of meritorious or commendable acts
aligned with the criteria outlined in this policy should document the exemplary service utilizing the
appropriate format. The documentation should contain:
(a)A brief account of the meritorious or commendable act with reports numbers, as
appropriate.
(b)The signature of the department member or community member submitting the
documentation.
(c)Identifying information:
(a)Members of the Fremont Police Department: name, division and assignment at
the date and time of the meritorious or commendable act
(b)Members of the Fremont Community: name, address, telephone number
(a)Documentation of a meritorious commendable act submitted by a
person from our 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.
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1018.4.2 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
(b)A brief account of the meritorious or commendable act with report numbers, as
appropriate.
(c)The signature of the person submitting the documentation.
1018.4.3 PROCESSING DOCUMENTATION
Documentation regarding the meritorious or commendable act of a member of the Department
should be forwarded to the appropriate Division Commander for their review. The Division
Commander 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 their signature. The documentation will then be returned to the Administrative
ServicesExecutive Assistant to the Chief of Police or other authorized Administrative Assistant 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 Services Division Commander. The documentation will
be signed by the Division Commander 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.
1018.5 AWARDS
Awards may be bestowed upon members of the Department and individuals from the community.
These awards include:
(a)Medal of Valor: awarded to any active member of the department who, at the risk
of their own life, demonstrates extreme courage, bravery, and devotion to duty in
exposing them self to grave danger in the face of a seemingly hopeless situation. The
following criteria shall also be considered:
(a)Member must not have used poor judgment or procedures, which necessitated
his/her actions.
1.Member accomplished his/her objective or was prevented from
accomplishing it due to personal injury or circumstances beyond his/her
control.
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2.The Awards Committee will automatically consider a Medal of Valor for any
person killed in the performance of his/her official duties. The committee
shall base its decision on the circumstances surrounding the member's
death and shall ensure that the standards of the Medal of Valor are
upheld. In such circumstances, the medal shall be presented to a surviving
family member by the Chief of Police. Should the criteria for awarding a
Medal of Valor not be met, the committee will then consider awarding the
Distinguished Service Medal.
3.The Medal of Valor award shall consist of a full-dress medal, an enamel
uniform bar, and a department certificate. The full-dress medal shall be for
Class A uniform wear and the uniform bar shall be for daily uniform wear.
Refer to the department's Uniform Regulations Policy for placement of the
award on the uniform. If the recipient does not have a daily or Class A
uniform, they will be provided a plaque with the medal attached.
4.The department's Award Committee will be responsible for reviewing the