Policy Text
DEPARTMENTAL
GENERAL
ORDER
B-01
Index as:
Departmental Awards
Effective Date:
1 Oct 21
Evaluation Coordinator:
Bureau of Services
Evaluation Due Date:
DD MMM YY
Page 1 of 12 DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS
The purpose of this order is to establish Departmental procedures for commending members, employees, private citizens and Departmental units for acts which deserve Departmental recognition. These awards and commendations shall be based upon 1) a specific a ct; 2) outstanding performance to
the public within the framework of community policing; 3) improvement in a service delivery system; or 4) leadership activities.
I. DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS: ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND MANNER OF WEARING
Awards are listed in order of precedence.
A. Medals
Medals are bestowed upon individuals for a specific pe rsonal act of gallantry, heroic
action, or meritorious service.
1. Medal of Valor
The Departmental Medal of Valor shall be awarded to members and employees who, while serving in an official capacity, conspicuously distinguish
themselves by heroic action above and beyond the call of duty. Each nomination for the Medal of Valor shall be based on the following criteria:
a. A strong possibility existed at the time that the member or employee acted, he/she could have suffered serious injury or death.
b. The act was not foolhardy.
c. The member or employee did not use poor judgment or procedures which created the necessity for his/her acts.
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT B-01 Effective Date
01 Oct 21
Page 2 of 12 2. Blue Star Medal
The Departmental Blue Star Medal shall be awarded to members and
employees who incur death or serious injury while engaged in an official
capacity involving the safety of persons or property.
3. Silver Star Medal
The Departmental Silver Star Medal shall be awarded to members and employees for courageous actions when the circumstances do not fall within
the provisions qualifying for the Medal of Valor.
The level of action, while of a lesser degree than that requir ed for the Medal of
Valor, must nevertheless have been performed with distinction and courage.
4. Medal of Merit
The Departmental Medal of Merit shall be awarded to members and employees who, while serving in an official capacity, distinguish themselves through distinctively meritorious service to the Department and/or the public. The
Medal may be awarded for personally administering life -saving first aid if
exceptional circumstances are involved.
5. John Grubensky Medal
The Departmental John Grubens ky Medal shall be awarded to members and
employees who demonstrate superior initiative or courage when attempting to
render life- saving medical aid to members of the Department and/or the
community.
Officer John William Grubensky courageously gave his lif e as he attempted to
evacuate a family from their home during the Oakland Hills Firestorm. Officer
Grubensky had already led dozens of community members to safety, and despite the growing fire, had elected to venture once again into danger to assist
in the evacuation efforts. Officer Grubensky, along with five members of the
community that he was attempting to rescue, became trapped within the area of
the firestorm. Officer Grubensky was later found l ying across the body of a
community member in an apparent effort to shield them from the flames. Officer Grubensky’s demonstration of superior initiative, courage, and sacrifice continues to serve as an example for all members of the Oakland
Police Department.
Officer John William Grubensky; End of Watch: October 20th, 1991.
B. Manner of Wearing Medals and Corresponding Bars
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT B-01 Effective Date
01 Oct 21
Page 3 of 12 1. Sworn
a. Medals are worn only with the Class A uniform. The medals shall be
centered on the left breast, in a single row, in order of preceden ce, from
the sternum outward. The top edge of the suspension ribbon shall be
flush with the top seam of the pocket flap.
b. Bars are optional on the long sleeve or short sleeve Duty Uniform shirt.
Bars are not authorized on the Field Utility Uniform. Up to three bars
are worn on a single row. The bars shall be affixed so that the bottom
edge of the bar(s) is/are flush with the top edge of the pocket flap.
When more than three bars are authorized, the Medal of Valor bar shall form the top row. The bar shal l be centered, with the bottom edge of the
bar flush with the top edge of the lower row of bars. The other three
medals shall form the bottom row and be affixed on the pocket flap,
with the top edge of the bars flush with the top edge of the pocket flap.
2. Uniformed Employees
a. Medals are worn only at formal functions. The medals shall be centered on the left breast, in a single row, in order of precedence, from the sternum outward. The top of the suspension ribbon shall be flush with the top edge of the breast pocket.
b. Corresponding bars may be worn on the light blue long or short sleeve uniform shirt, above the left breast pocket. Up to three bars are worn on
a single row.
The bars shall be affixed so that the bottom edge of the bar(s) is/are flush with the top edge of the pocket flap. When more than three bars
are authorized, the Medal of Valor bar shall form the top row