Policy Text
Field Services Page 1 of 2 02/02 (REV 1/04)
Officer Commendations
The purpose of this order is to establish uniform procedures fo r the documentation of an
officer's noteworthy performance. I. General
A. In an effort to establish uni formity for the documentation o f noteworthy
performance by subordinates, the department has adopted the use of the
commendation/counseling, peer r ecognition/commendation, and
department commendation/award forms.
B. In any instance where an offi cer is complimented by a citize n, another
officer, supervisor or agency , it will be brought immediately t o the attention
of the officer’s supervisor for possible documentation.
II. Commendation/Counseling Form
A. The purpose of the Commendation/ Counseling Form is to docume nt
specific instances of performanc e that may later be cited in th e comments
section of the Sheriff's Departm ent Employee Evaluation Report. This
form is not to be used to supplan t any other documents concerni ng
performance (i.e., Recommendations for Awards/Commendations.)
B. As soon as practical after an officer has demonstrated notew orthy
performance, the supervisor obser ving such activity or being in formed of
it, should speak to the officer about the performance.
1. Supervisor should complete t he Commendation/Counseling Form
and present it to the officer for review and signature.
2. Copies of the form shall be given to the officer and placed in the
officer's work file.
C. The Commendation/Counseling fo rm should be removed from the officer's
work file after the incident has been cited in the next perform ance
evaluation.
Field Services Page 2 of 2 02/02 (REV 1/04) D. Correspondence from citizens, supervisors, outside agencies, or other
divisions commending an officer’ s performance shall be brought to the
officer’s attention, a copy giv en to the officer, and the origi nal included in
the officer’s division file.
III. Peer Recognition Form
A. Whenever an officer or supervi sor of this department feels t hat an officer
has performed a duty or assignmen t in an exemplary manner a Pee r
Recognition/Commendation Form shoul d be completed and submitted to a
supervisor for approval.
B. Upon approval, the supervisor will:
1. Present the form to the offi cer for review and signature.
2. Give a copy of the form to the officer and place a copy in t he
officer's work file and di vision file, if appropriate.
IV. Request for Department Level Award/Commendation
A. The commendations review commi ttee must receive commendation
requests, which contain all perti nent information necessary in order to
make a recommendation for an aw ard to the executive staff.
1. In order to maintain a valuabl e recognition program for depa rtment
personnel, it is incumbent upon commanders and supervisors
within all divisions to forward a ll known facts of an incident when
submitting a request to the committ ee for award consideration.
2. Factors such as actions taken by department personnel, avail ability
of cover, degree of danger, the out come of actions taken, simil ar
past incidents, statements m ade by department personnel and
review of reports prepared by inv olved personnel are all part o f the
committee's consideration fo r an award recommendation.