Policy Text
AWARDS SELECTION COMMITTEE
EFFECTIVE DATE: 01/10/95 STANDARD NO. 021 REVISED: 09/01/17
REPLACES: SOP Commendations 03-15.1-5 – Rev. 01/01/03; Rev. 11/10/11;
OBJECTIVE: A recognition program is being established to formally award officers for a
specified heroic act, meritorious service or for an act, which results in the
betterment of law enforcement.
POLICY: It is the policy of the Homestead Police Department (HPD) to provide formal
recognition to sworn officers for acts of meritorious service or outstanding
individual achievement.
SCOPE: All employees of this Department shall be governed by the procedures set forth
below.
I. PROCEDURES:
A. Supervisors shall submit their nominations for police officer of the month along with
nominations for any other awards or medals to the Awards Selection Committee by the
tenth day of the month.
B. Awards Committee:
1. The Awards Selection Committee shall comprise five (5) members:
a. Two (2) captains;
b. One (1) lieutenant;
c. Two (2) sergeant; and
A quorum of three (3) members will be able to conduct business. Lieutenants
and sergeants will rotate monthly in order that each has the opportunity to assist
in the selection process.
2. The Awards Selection Committee shall have the authority to upgrade or reduce
those nominations for awards or medals. The Awards Selection Committee’s
decision on any award or medal is final.
C. Wearing of Ribbons:
1. Ribbons shall be worn over the right shirt pocket, above the cloth nametape. The
cloth nametape will be worn centered on the right pocket flap, so that the top of
the cloth nametape is even with the upper seam of the flap. Ribbons shall be
arranged in rows of three (3) each. A row of ribbons consisting of less than three
(3) ribbons shall be centered above the pocket and/or above a full row.
Awards Selection Committee – SOP# 021
2. Ribbons shall be worn in order of precedence starting from the wearer’s right to
left.
3. Ribbons of lesser precedence shall be replaced by those of greater precedence
when the maximum numbers of ribbons are worn. For subsequent similar
awards, attachments to the ribbon will be added.
D. Placement of Devices or Subsequent Entitlements:
1. The bronze oak leaf cluster represents second and subsequent entitlements of
an award.
2. A silver oak leaf cluster is worn for the sixth entitlement in lieu of five (5) bronze
oak leaf clusters.
3. Bronze/Silver Clusters: Silver oak leaf clusters are worn to the wearer’s right of
all bronze oak leaf clusters.
4. The “V” device represents valor and does not denote an additional award. Only
one (1) may be worn on any ribbon. The “V” device may be presented with the
following awards:
a. Gold Medal of Valor
b. Meritorious Service Medal
c. Chief’s Special Recognition Medal
d. Purple Heart
e. Life Saving Medal
5. Valor device and clusters: The “V” device, when worn on the same ribbon with
clusters, is worn to the wearer’s right of such clusters.
E. Order of Precedence:
1. Gold Medal of Valor
2. Officer of the Year
3. Meritorious Service Medal
4. Community Involvement Medal
5. Officer of the Month
6. Chief’s Special Recognition Medal
7. Purple Heart
8. Life Saving Medal
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9. Marksmanship
10. Humanitarian Service Ribbon
11. Good Conduct Ribbon
12. Unit Citation
13. Longevity Ribbon
14. Miami-Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police Award
15. Vietnam Service Ribbon
II. INDIVIDUAL AWARD CRITERIA:
A. GOLD MEDAL OF VALOR:
1. Upon performing an intelligent act of bravery meeting the criteria enumerated
below, officers are eligible to receive the Gold Medal of Valor; the highest award
the Department can bestow.
a. Exemplify outstanding bravery or heroism and places the officer’s life at
great risk in furtherance of the protection of life or property, enforcement
of laws, preservation of the public peace, prevention of criminal acts or
the apprehension of criminals.
B. OFFICER OF THE YEAR:
1. The Officer of the Year will be selected from recipients of the Officer of the Month
Award.