Policy Text
Page 1 of 15 General Order 05-09 (12/30/2025 )
AWARDS AND CITATIONS
RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: AWARDS AND CITATIONS Chapter
5 Number
9 Pages
15
References:
CALEA Standards: 26.1.2
Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of
Richmond, Virginia, and Richmond Coalition of Police
Effective 7/1/2024 through 6/30/2027
Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of
Richmond, Virginia and Service Employees
International Union, Virginia 512
Effective 7/1/2024 through 6/30/2027 Related Orders: Effective Date: 12/30/2025
Revised By: PD-132
Prv. Rev. Date: 09/25/2024
If any provision of this General Order conflicts with any collective bargaining article,
the collective bargaining agreement shall govern.
Chief of Police:
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this directive is to explain the various types of awards and citations that are
available to members of the Department.
II. SUMMARY OF CHANGE
This general order was updated to include new awards for sworn and professional staff
personnel. Revisions to this general order are noted in bold italicized text throughout the
document.
III. POLICY
The Richmond Police Department (RPD) will recognize outstanding performance of
employees, other public safety employees, citizens and organizations making substantial
personal contributions to the Department and the community. The Department will identify
and recognize specific acts of heroism, bravery or notable accomplishments and establish
guidelines to identify those who have distinguished themselves through performance of
those acts or accomplishments.
The Department bestows awards and commendations in the form of medals and
accompanying commendation bars, plaques, certificates, and letters of achievement. All
communications relating to the awards and commendations process shall be routed through
the chain -of-command. In order to maintain the credibility of the Awards Program ,
Page 2 of 15 General Order 05-09 (12/30/2025 )
AWARDS AND CITATIONS thorough documentation supporting the nomination is mandatory and shall be attached to
the nominating correspondence.
The Department will maintain records of employee recognition. Department members will
ensure that all appropriate entities are notified when employees are recognized for their
service. Supervisors will utilize proper notification methods by using a PD-46B for awards
that are not captured, tracked, or approved by the Honors Board. On a monthly basis,
supervisors will use the PD-46B to inform the Officer- In-Charge (OIC) of the Training
Academy of employee awards and recognition that do not require Honors Board approval.
[CALEA 26.1.2]
IV. ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT
All employees are expected to fully comply with the guidelines and timelines set forth in
this general order. Failure to comply will result in appropriate corrective action.
Responsibility rests with the Division Commander to ensure that any violations of policy
are investigated and appropriate training, counseling and/or disciplinary action is initiated.
This directive is for internal use only and does not enlarge an employee’s civil liability in
any way. It should not be construed as the creation of a higher standard of safety or care in
an evidentiary sense, with respect to third party claims. Violation of this directive, if
proven, can only form the basis of a complaint by this Department, and then only in a non-
judicial administrative setting.
V. PROCEDURE
A. Nomination and Selection Procedure: [CALEA 26.1.2]
1. Any member of the Department may nominate an individual for an award,
citation, or certificate, except the Chief’s Citation. To ensure that the
qualifications as described in this policy are present, the nominator should have
knowledge of the event/action by personal observation or as a result of
investigation of the event/action. The nominator must complete a PD-46 and
forward it, along with any supporting documentation, to the Honors Board, as
directed on the form. In case of multiple nominations being submitted in one
packet, a PD -46 shall be completed for each nominated individual.
2. The PD-46 contains a section allowing the nominator to write a “Narrative of
Nomination.” The Narrative of Nomination section shall include, but is not
limited to, the following information:
a. A statement from at least one eyewitness, if possible .
b. Precise time and location of the event/action, if applicable .
c. Names of all