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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: January 28, 2022  Amends - GO 4.7.0 (October 2, 2020 ) Number: 4.7.0 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: January Reviewing Authority: SSD / Community Relations Subject: Awards This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to establish criteria to recognize exceptional performance , commemorate dedicated service , maintain consistency in granting awards , and to enhance the effectiveness of agency personnel . In addition, this policy provide s a method of recogniz ing outstanding contributions by non -agency law enforcement personnel and members of the community. 2. Policy It is the policy of the Orange County Sheriff's Office to recognize agency personnel, non - agency law enforcement personnel and citizens who demonstrate dedication, courage or superior initiative in the performance of their duties or while providing exceptional service to the agency or the community. 3. Procedures A. Classification of Awards 1. The Awards Committee considers award nominations and makes recommendations to the Sheriff for the following classifications of awards: a. Medal of Valor The Medal of Valor may be presented to any member of the agency who displays exceptional service to the community by risking their life in the performance of a hazardous duty. The intent of this award is to recogn ize an individual ’s extraordinary actions that expose the member to self -peril above and beyond the call of duty. b. Medal of Merit The Medal of Merit may be presented to any member of the agency or non -agency member rendering service entailing exceptional courage or bravery, including but not limited to exercising a lifesaving effort , preventing a serious crime, apprehending a person who has committed a serious crime, or any other action deemed to be deserving of this award. c. Purple Heart Medal The Purple Hear t Medal may be presented to any agency member , canine , or horse who, sustains serious and/or permanent injury , or 4.7.0, Page 2 of 9 death during the performance of their duty. d. Combat Award The Combat Award may be presented to sworn personnel who have been in combat situations (gunfire or other weapons involved), with criminal suspects where , the actions of the sworn personnel were commendable. e. Guardian Award The Guardian Award may be presented to agency members who display courageous restraint and employ exceptional tactical de - escalation techniques to bring a dangerous situation to a successful resolution. (e.g. rescuing a suicidal subject through discussion, negotiation, or the use of a less lethal weapon to r esolve the potentially life threatening situation). NOTE : This award is not intended to place agency members in unreasonable positions of increased danger or to prioritize the lives of dangerous individuals over that of agency members , or to encourage irre sponsible risk taking that needlessly and recklessly endangers self or others. Rather, this recognition is an affirmative statement of our belief in the intrinsic value of all human life, and our commitment as a law enforcement organization to engage in be st law enforcement practices. f. Distinguished Service Medal The Distinguished Service Medal may be presented to any member of the agency on receipt of their third Distinguished Service Award . This medal may also be awarded for a series of at least three act ions deemed superior over a limited period of time, each of which would normally qualify for the Distinguished Service Award. The Distinguished Service Medal may also be awarded for agency members retiring with 25 years or more of service. g. Sheriff's Citati on Medal The Sheriff's Citation Medal may be presented to any member of the agency who has demonstrated long term dedication and excellence while performing assigned duties, or to any person exemplifying the vision statements of the agency through commitme nt to excellence. The Sheriff’s Citation Medal may also be awarded for agency members retiring with 10 to 24 years of service. h. Administrative Excellence Medal The Administrative Excellence Medal may be presented to any member of the agency for outstanding performance in an administrative position or for administrative excellence during a specific event, function, or long term assignment. i. Community Service Award The Community Service Award may be presented to personnel who have distinguished themselves by e xemplary conduct towards the agency and/or the citizens of Orange County while volunteering their time in an ongoing basis or serving in some type of service organization. (Example: Scout ing America, Police Athletic League, United Way of Central Florida, Central Florida Blood Bank, etc.) j. Unit Citation 4.7.0, Page 3 of 9 The Unit Citation may be presented to any agency component for extraordinary achievement in accomplishing a specific mission. The Unit Citation is not intended to be based solely on statistics. k. Major Incident Response Award The Major Incident Response Award may be presented to personnel who participate in major incidents involving a response to a natural or man -made disaster; including Florida Sheriff’s Task Force or Regional Domestic Security Task For ce incidents as designated by the Sheriff. l. Distinguished Service Award The Distinguished Service Award may be presented to any member of the agency displaying superior initiative, conscientiousness, determination and thoroughness in the performance of their official duties or in service to others. This award should be consid ered whenever a member demonstrates unusual devotion to duty beyond the