Policy Text
Policy
1016Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/08/15, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentCommendations and Awards - 1Commendations and Awards
1016.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides general guidelines for recognizing commendable or meritorious acts of
members of the Garden Grove Police Department and individuals from the community.
1016.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Garden Grove 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.
1016.3 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.
Class "A"
The Class A commendation will be awarded to members of the department for outstanding police
work, for example:
(a)Superior handling of a difficult situation;
(b)Conspicuous bravery;
(c)Superior performance of duty;
(d)Any contribution to the department which is of a superior nature.
The Chief of Police reviews the recommendation and determines if the member merits the
commendation. The commendation shall be typed in the form of a memorandum on city
letterhead.It will include a written description of the exceptional work and be signed by the Chief
of Police.A copy of the memorandum will be placed in the employee's permanent personnel file.
The commendation will be presented to the member by the Chief of Police or his/her designee at
a roll call briefing Employee Recognition Reception, or similar meeting.
Class “B”
The Class B commendation will be awarded to members of the department who distinguish
themselves by performing assignments, tasks, duties, or other service, which is exceptional in
nature but not meritorious. The commending employee's supervisor or supervisor of equal or
higher rank reviews the recommendation and determines if the member merits the commendation.
The Class B commendation shall be written in the form of a memorandum or an employee's
performance log and signed by a supervisor of higher rank than the commended employee.The
commendation will be placed in the employee's team or unit file to be utilized for the semi-annual
personnel evaluation.If a memorandum is written, it may be filed in the employee’s department
personnel file.
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Commendations and Awards
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/08/15, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentCommendations and Awards - 2A citizen letter of appreciation, phone call, or commendation in person will be processed in
the same manner unless the handling supervisor recommends the classification should be
upgraded.The letter of appreciation may be filed in the employee’s department personnel file.
1016.4 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.
1016.4.1 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, bureau 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.
1016.4.2 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, bureau 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.
1016.4.3 PROCESSING DOCUMENTATION
Documentation regarding the meritorious or commendable act of a member of the Department
should be forwarded to the appropriate Bureau Commander for his/her review. The Bureau
Commander should sign and forward the documentation to the Chief of Police for his/her review.
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Commendations and Awards
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/08/15, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentCommendations and Awards - 3The 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
Services Bureau 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 Services Bureau Commander. The documentation will
be signed by the Bureau 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.
The Chief of Police reviews the recommendation and determines if the act merits an award of a
department medal and what the ultimate classification will be.
1016.5 AWARDS