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\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nSEMINOLE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE NUMBER: G - 32 GENERAL ORDER RESCINDS: SUBJECT: Employee Recognition EFFECTIVE: November 14, 1994 REVISED: September 15, 2025 Table of Contents: I. Purpose II. Awards Committee III. Nomination Procedure IV. Tenure and Good Conduct Awards V. Subsequent Awards VI. Award Ceremonies VII. Sheriff’s Office Awards VIII. Display of Awards IX. Letters of Commendation/Memorandums of Recognition X. Records XI. Unit Designation Pins XII. Certificates I. PURPOSE: It is Sheriff's Office policy to recognize commendable actions and efforts by employees and volunteers while in the performance of their duties. The Sheriff’s Office also seeks to recognize the accomplishments of community members who have contributed to the agency’s mission. II. AWARDS COMMITTEE: A. The Awards Committee chairperson is appointed by the Sheriff and must be at the rank of Lieutenant/Manager or higher. In addition to the chairperson, the Committee will consist of a minimum of 12 members: two representatives from each are to include Administrative Services, Corrections, Law Enforcement, Investigative Services, Youth Services and School Safety. Committee members must be full-time employees and must have completed one year of continuous service with the agency. Members must be under the rank of Lieutenant/Manager. Members shall serve for a period of two years, and shall rotate off the committee at various times on a schedule established by the chairperson. Members who complete a two-year term are eligible to return the committee after one- year off. The chairperson will schedule meetings on an as needed basis, but no less than twice per year. Employees wishing to participate as a committee member may nominate themselves to serve on the committee Members will be selected/appointed by the Chiefs of their respective sections. If an employee moves to another area they will still participate and complete their term. B. The committee is responsible for screening nominations and designating Sheriff’s Office awards to be given to employees, volunteers, and community members. The committee may also review nomination GENERAL ORDER Employee Recognition GO # 32 PAGE 1 OF 7\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nsolicitations from outside agencies for their awards and make recommendations for nominees from the Sheriff’s Office. The Public Affairs Division is responsible for planning award presentation ceremonies. III. NOMINATION PROCEDURE: A. Any employee or volunteer of the Sheriff's Office may nominate another employee, volunteer, or community member for an award or commendation. Supervisors will recognize exceptional performance by employees under their supervision. B. When employees or volunteers of the Sheriff’s Office have performed acts or services that qualify for recognition, they will be nominated as follows, with the exception of Tenure and Good Conduct which follow a separate protocol as outlined below. 1. A written nomination from any employee or volunteer (in standard memorandum format, or an otherwise approved nomination form) is submitted in timely fashion, and must include a detailed and accurate account of the circumstances surrounding the act or incident. Particular case numbers, when available, should be included for complete review of a case/situation. 2. Nominations will be forwarded through the chain of command to the Sheriff accompanied by any comments or additional facts. 3. After his review, the Sheriff will forward the nomination to the Awards Committee for deliberation and recommendation as to the appropriate award the action merits. 4. Written appeals regarding recommendations shall be forwarded to the Sheriff through the chain of command. The Sheriff shall determine the final disposition of appeals. C. The awards for Valor, Merit and Purple Heart hold a special distinction and thus will be recommended for approval by the committee. Final approval of these awards will be reviewed by the Captains and Directors. Should they find the category too high, the committee would recommend a lesser appropriate award. IV. TENURE AND GOOD CONDUCT AWARDS: A. Human Resources will be responsible for coordinating the issuance of the Tenure and Good Conduct Awards to employees. The Human Resources Division will also be responsible for the issuance of Tenure Awards to volunteers. 1. Tenure Awards will be issued at four-year continuous increments based on the employee’s last date of hire. Full and part-time employees are eligible to receive the tenure award. 2. The Good Conduct Award will be issued at the same time as the tenure award (at four-year continuous increments) based on the employee’s last date of hire. Full and part-time employees who meet the requirements in VII (A) 5 (below) are eligible to receive the Good Conduct Award. V. SUBSEQUENT AWARDS: Employees and volunteers may earn unlimited awards should they become eligible. Recognition stars affixed to the original ribbon will denote duplicate awards: GENERAL ORDER Employee Recognition GO # 32 PAGE 2 OF 7\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nA. One star (up to a total of four) worn on the original award ribbon to denote each subsequent award. A second ribbon will be issued for the sixth award. B. The Awards Committee, in conjunction with the Department of Administrative Services, will determine how many times the employee or volunteer has received an award and issue the appropriate ribbon. Upon receiving a subsequent award ribbon, the employee will return the previous ribbon. VI. AWARD CEREMONIES: The Public Affairs Division is responsible for organizing award ceremonies and efforts shall be made to make the public aware of the proceedings. Ceremonies may be held as often as necessary for presentation of any agency awards. VII. SHERIFF'S OFFICE AWARDS: Name Presented With 1. Award of Valor Medal Ribbon Certificate 2. Award of Merit Medal Ribbon Certificate 3. Purple Heart Medal Ribbon Certificate 4. Sheriff's Commendation Ribbon Certificate 5. Good Conduct Award Ribbon Certificate 6. Life Saving Award Ribbon Certificate 7. Distinguished Action Award Ribbon Certificate 8. Community Service Award Ribbon Certificate 9. Unit Citation Ribbon Certificate 10. Hugh Thomas Award of Excellence Ribbon Certificate 11. Robert Moore Award Ribbon Certificate GENERAL ORDER Employee Recognition GO # 32 PAGE 3 OF 7\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\n12. Disaster Assistance Award Ribbon Certificate 13. Tenure (Length of Service) Award Ribbon Certificate Uniform Service Bar(s) 14. Administrative Excellence Award Certificate 15. Eslinger Innovation Award Certificate 16. Nancy Engebretsen Award Certificate 17. Luis Menendez Award of Excellence Certificate 18. Joe Negri Resource Deputy of the Year Award Certificate 19. Certificate of Promotion Certificate 20. Certificate of Appreciation Certificate 21. Field Training Deputy/Detention Deputy of the Year Certificate 22. Sheriff’s Award Day Written Commendation A. Award Specifications: 1. AWARD OF VALOR: Presented by the Sheriff on behalf of the citizens of Seminole County, the Award of Valor is the highest award that can be conferred. It is awarded for acts of exceptional courage or bravery above and beyond the call of duty at the risk of imminent danger of loss of life. 2. AWARD OF MERIT: Second to the Award of Valor, it is awarded for conduct depicting sound judgment and exceptional bravery at the risk of imminent danger of great bodily harm. 3. PURPLE HEART: Awarded to sworn personnel who have sustained serious injury while engaged in enforcement action under extremely hazardous conditions or as a result of an act of hostile intent. 4. SHERIFF'S COMMENDATION: Awarded at the discretion of the Sheriff for effort and diligence beyond that normally required for the efficient accomplishment of his/her duty. May be awarded to an Employee of the Year. 5. GOOD CONDUCT AWARD: Awarded to an employee who has met the following criteria over a period of four consecutive years: a. Employment has been continuous;