Policy Text
Policy
1012San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/22, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentDepartment Awards - 1Department Awards
1012.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Department routinely expects a high level of professional conduct from all of its
members. When members perform their duties in a manner exceeding those highest expectations
and standards, it is appropriate for the Department to officially commend and reasonably publicize
that performance. In such a manner public recognition is given to members who have brought
honor to himself or herself or the Department.
The Department also seeks to recognize citizens of the community whose actions have contributed
to the apprehension of criminals or who have demonstrated selfless behavior in emergency or
critical situations.
1012.2 RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations for awards should be forwarded in memorandum form to the member's
immediate supervisor within ninety (90) days of the incident, generally. Any member may
recommend another member for award recognition. Members must have knowledge of
or witness and act in concert with the established award criteria when submitting a
recommendation. Recommendations shall include:
(a)Name of the recommended member.
(b)Specific behavior or performance for which the member is recommended.
(c)Specific dates and times of the behavior or performance.
(d)The specific award for which the member is recommended.
(e)Any relevant reports and supporting documentation.
1012.3 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervisors who receive a recommendation for an award shall:
(a)Conduct any appropriate investigation into the incident verifying the factual accuracy
of the initial recommendation memorandum.
(b)Verify that the recommendation narrative satisfies the requirements of the specific
award criteria.
(c)Forward the results of their investigation, their independent recommendation, and any
supporting documentation to the appropriate Division Commander.
The Division Commander who receives award recommendation documentation shall forward the
recommendation and documentation to the Awards Committee.
1012.4 AWARDS COMMITTEE
The Chief of Police will appoint an Awards Committee consisting of, at a
minimum, one (1) supervisor, one (1) officer, and one (1) civilian member. The members of
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Department Awards
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/22, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentDepartment Awards - 2the Awards Committee will serve for a period of two calendar years from January through
December. During the two-year appointment to the Awards Committee, the Chief of Police retains
the authority to remove any member of the Awards Committee at his/her discretion. If a member
of the Awards Committee leaves the Department, the Chief of Police will appoint a new Awards
Committee member. This Committee will also provide Police Department recommendations to the
City Employee Recognition Committee.
The supervisor will serve as Chairperson of the Awards Committee.
1012.4.1 DUTIES OF THE AWARDS COMMITTEE
The Awards Committee shall:
(a)Review and evaluate each recommendation on the submitted documentation.
(b)Consider recommendations for awards as soon as reasonably possibly after receipt.
(c)Ensure that all recommendations for awards are entered into the member's personnel
file.
(d)Investigate the circumstances of the recommendation and collect facts regarding the
member for whom the recommendation for the award was submitted.
(e)Evaluate all the written documentation submitted with the recommendation.
(f)Be empowered to summon members and any documentation related to the
recommendation reasonably necessary to determine the member's eligibility for the
award.
(g)Ensure the names of those recommeded for awards, and the category of the award
for which they were recommended, are available to the community and the members
of the Department through available Department resources.
1012.4.2 RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE AWARDS COMMITTEE
The Awards Committee will deliberate the facts in a closed session and render a decision on
each recommendation for an award by a majority vote. The decision will be submitted in a written
documentation to the Chief of Police for discussion and ratification. The Awards Committee may
recommend to the Chief of Police that:
(a)The facts as presented do not warrant further action.
(b)Some justification for recognition does exist, but that such recognition should be for a
lesser award than that initially recommended.
(c)The circumstances surrounding the incident met the definition and prerequisites of the
award that was initially recommended and the award should be granted.
(d)The circumstances surrounding the incident met the definition and prerequisites for a
higher award than was initially recommended and the higher award should be granted.
1012.5 ACTIONS OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
The Chief of Police shall:
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Department Awards
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/22, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentDepartment Awards - 3(a)Be involved in mediating any extenuating circumstances or disputes that arise during
the review by the Awards Committee.
(b)Make the final decision on all awards after receiving the recommendation of
the Awards Committee, including upgrading or downgrading the award at his/her
discretion.
(c)Notify the member regarding his/her decision as soon as reasonably possible.
1012.6 METHOD OF PRESENTING AWARDS
The Chief of Police or his/her designee shall establish a procedure for the formal presentation
of awards and shall present all awards, preferably in the presence of the City Manager and/or
Mayor, at any ceremony he/she considers appropriate.
Members should receive the appropriate award symbol (certificate, medal