Policy Text
Policy
1015Santa Ana Police Department
Santa Ana PD Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2018/12/28, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentCommendations and Awards Committee - 1Commendations and Awards Committee
1015.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
Special recognition may be in order whenever an employee performs his/her duties in an
exemplary manner. This policy provides general guidelines for commending exceptional employee
performance, including awarding commendations and medals. This policy also establishes the
composition and responsibilities of the Awards Committee.
1015.2 AUTHORITY TO COMMEND
A written commendation may be made by any supervisor regarding any other employee of
the Department, provided the reporting person is superior in rank or is the person-in-charge of
the individual being commended. Additionally, investigating officers may commend uniformed
officers for exceptional assistance in investigative functions, with approval from the investigator's
supervisor. Any employee may recommend a commendation to the supervisor of the employee
subject to commendation.
1015.3 COMMENDATION REPORT
The Commendation Report shall be used to document the commendation of the employee and
shall contain the following:
(a)Employee name, bureau, and assignment at the date and time of the commendation
(b)A brief account of the commendable action shall be documented on the form with
report numbers, as appropriate
(c)Signature of the commending supervisor and chain of command, as appropriate
All commendations shall be submitted within one year of occurrence of the incident, action or
performance. In cases pending final findings of the Shooting Review or Major Incident Review
Board, commendations may be submitted beyond this one-year provision, but shall be submitted
within one year of the respective board’s final finding.
Completed reports shall be forwarded through the chain of command and maintained in
accordance with department policy.
1015.3.1 ROUTING
The Commendation Report form shall be routed in the following manner, as applicable:
(a)Immediate Supervisor
(b)District or Division Commander
(c)Bureau Commander
(d)Chief of Police
1015.3.2 AWARDING
Medals and commendations will be awarded as follows:
Santa Ana Police Department
Santa Ana PD Policy Manual
Commendations and Awards Committee
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2018/12/28, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentCommendations and Awards Committee - 2•All medals and Department Wide Commendations will be awarded by the Chief of
Police at an appropriate ceremony.
•Bureau Commendations will be awarded by the Bureau Commander of the
commended employee.
•Division Commendations will be awarded by the District or Division Commander.
•Minor Commendations will be awarded by the immediate supervisor.
1015.3.3 FILING
A copy of minor commendation reports shall be given to employees and the original kept in the
employee's bureau file for use in the annual performance evaluation. In all other commendations,
employees shall be given a copy of the commendation and the original report kept in the
employee’s personnel file.
1015.3 COMMENDATION REPORT
The Commendation Report shall be used to document the commendation of the employee and
shall contain the following:
(a)Employee name, bureau, and assignment at the date and time of the commendation
(b)A brief account of the commendable action shall be documented on the form with
report numbers, as appropriate
(c)Signature of the commending supervisor and chain of command, as appropriate
All commendations shall be submitted within one year of occurrence of the incident, action or
performance. In cases pending final findings of the Shooting Review or Major Incident Review
Board, commendations may be submitted beyond this one-year provision, but shall be submitted
within one year of the respective board’s final finding.
Completed reports shall be forwarded through the chain of command and maintained in
accordance with department policy.
1015.3.1 ROUTING
The Commendation Report form shall be routed in the following manner, as applicable:
(a)Immediate Supervisor
(b)District or Division Commander
(c)Bureau Commander
(d)Chief of Police
1015.3.2 AWARDING
Medals and commendations will be awarded as follows:
•All medals and Department Wide Commendations will be awarded by the Chief of
Police at an appropriate ceremony.
Santa Ana Police Department
Santa Ana PD Policy Manual
Commendations and Awards Committee
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2018/12/28, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentCommendations and Awards Committee - 3•Bureau Commendations will be awarded by the Bureau Commander of the
commended employee.
•Division Commendations will be awarded by the District or Division Commander.
•Minor Commendations will be awarded by the immediate supervisor.
1015.3.3 FILING
A copy of minor commendation reports shall be given to employees and the original kept
in the employee's bureau file for use in the annual performance evaluation. In all other
commendations, employees shall be given a copy of the commendation and the original report
kept in the employee’s personnel file.
1015.4 CLASSIFICATION OF COMMENDATIONS
A meritorious or commendable act by an employee of this department may include, but is not
limited to, the following:
(a)Medal of Valor - The Medal of Valor may be awarded to an employee who displays
conspicuous bravery or heroism above and beyond the normal demands of police
service in responding to criminal situations involving extreme danger to the employee.
(b)