Policy Text
Policy
1030Mountain View Police Department
Mountain View PD Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/10/22, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Mountain View Police
DepartmentCommendations and Awards - 1Commendations and Awards
1030.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides general guidelines for recognizing commendable or meritorious acts of
members of the Mountain View Police Department and individuals from the community.
1030.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Mountain View 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.
1030.3 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.
1030.3.1 COMMENDATION MEMORANDUM
The memorandum shall be used to document the commendable performance of an employee. It
shall be titled "Commendation," and include a brief account of the commendable action.
Memorandums shall be forwarded to the Police Chief through the chain of command.
If the action or performance is commendable, but does not qualify for a higher award, the Police
Chief will return the commendation to the employee. A copy will be placed into the employee's
personnel file, by the Executive Assistant.
1030.4 WRITTEN COMMENDATIONS
1030.4.1 COMMENDATION
A commendation recognizes individual action for meritorious work that is not outstanding, but that
is more of a routine nature and is deserving of notice. Included in this category are:
(a)Above average work of a routine nature, such as proactive, self-initiated activity that
results in the arrest of a suspect.
(b)Letters from civilians or outside agencies that recognize work of a routine nature.
(c)Work that displays an unusual attention to duty while performing an assigned function
in a workgroup or committee.
A commendation may be in the form of a memorandum, e-mail, or Performance Tracker
entry. Memorandums and e-mails shall be titled "COMMENDATION." The original document is
forwarded to the employee, and a copy is placed in his/her personnel file.
Mountain View Police Department
Mountain View PD Policy Manual
Commendations and Awards
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/10/22, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Mountain View Police
DepartmentCommendations and Awards - 21030.4.2 COMMAND STAFF COMMENDATION
Command Staff Commendations shall be used to recognize individual action that is outstanding,
exceptional, and goes beyond the normal course of duty. Included in this category are the
following:
(a)Outstanding police work with exceptional skill and dedication in order to affect an
arrest, and/or conduct a follow-up investigation on a significant case.
(b)Lifesaving efforts, not meeting the criteria for a Lifesaving Citation.
(c)Initiation of a program, project or activity that has a significant positive impact in
accomplishing the Department's mission.
A memorandum titled "COMMAND STAFF COMMENDATION" shall be presented to the
employee, and a copy is placed in his/her personnel files.
1030.5 MEDALS AND CITATIONS
Medals and citations are for significant accomplishments in the defined categories. A citation is a
summary of the incident in memorandum form, addressed to the employee from the Police Chief,
and articulates the conduct and actions that substantiate the merits for the award.
1030.5.1 MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL
The Meritorious Service Medal is the highest award for service for distinguished, long-term,
commendable, and outstanding police service with the following qualifications:
(a)Performance, training, and discipline records consistent with the spirit of the award.
(b)Served with distinction in a specialty assignment.
(c)Served with distinction in a collateral assignment.
(d)No fewer than fifteen years of law enforcement service.
(e)Written recognition for outstanding performance in a complicated and critical incident
or investigation requiring extraordinary action.
(f)Have received above satisfactory evaluations or documented feedback related to
leadership, teamwork, or efforts related to outstanding contributions that led to
administrative or operational efficiency.
The award is a gold medal with a blue, white and blue ribbon, and a matching enamel pin.
1030.5.2 MEDAL OF VALOR
Awarded to employees who perform acts of conspicuous bravery or heroism above and beyond
that is expected in the line of duty. Acts must meet the following criteria:
(a)The employee used good judgment or procedures.
Mountain View Police Department
Mountain View PD Policy Manual
Commendations and Awards
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/10/22, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Mountain View Police
DepartmentCommendations and Awards - 3(b)The risk of death or great bodily injury actually existed, and the employee had sufficient
time to evaluate it.
(c)The objectives were of sufficient importance to justify the risk.
The Medal of Valor is the highest award for bravery presented by the Department. The employee
shall be presented with a full dress gold medal with a red, white and blue ribbon, a matching
enamel pin with a "V" in the center.
1030.5.3 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL
Awarded to employees who distinguished themselves with conspicuous bravery or heroism in
the performance of his/her duties under unusual, complicated or hazardous conditions where the
employee used good judgment in accomplishing a specific police mission. The award is a silver
medal with a red, white and blue ribbon,