Policy Text
\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
SUBJECT
Citations and Awards
CHIEF OF POLICE
Signature on File
Proudly Policing Since Nationally Accredited
1841 1986
NUMBER ORIGINAL ISSUE CURRENT REVISION TOTAL PAGES
10 07/15/1985 07/28/2022 12
AUTHORITY/RELATED REFERENCES
General Order 4, Appearance and Uniform Regulations
General Order 36, News Media Relations
ACCREDITATION REFERENCES
CALEA Chapter 26
KEY WORD INDEX
Award Classifications Procedure II
Award Issuance Procedures Procedure V
Awards Board Procedure I
County, State and National Recognitions Procedure VIII
Description of Awards and Required Approvals Procedure III
Letters of Appreciation Procedure VI
Posthumous Presentation of Awards Procedure VII
Recommendation/Approval Protocols Procedure IV
POLICY
The Department shall recognize outstanding service through the formal use of
awards, commendations and citations. The review and approval procedures for
commendable acts of service shall be administered fairly and equitably.
DEFINITIONS
Award: Official Department recognition for exemplary acts or service which further
the overall goal of improving public safety within the City of Tallahassee.\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Awards Board: A group of Department members appointed by the Chief of Police
with the responsibility for reviewing award recommendations.
Bravery: Mental or moral strength to persevere and withstand danger, fear, or
great difficulty.
Heroism: Extreme or drastic efforts of any kind undertaken to save life.
In the Line of Duty: Actions or performance of members, but not restricted to
scheduled work hours.
Unit: A subset of a bureau, district, section, or office.
PROCEDURES
I. AWARDS BOARD
A. The Awards Board is responsible for reviewing and processing award
nominations in the manner described in section IV below and
coordinating any formal recognition at an official Department function
(e.g., awards ceremony).
B. The Awards Board will consist of up to nine (9) voting members and one
(1) non-voting Awards Board Chairperson.
1. The Chief of Police is responsible for appointing each voting member
and the Chairperson.
2. All voting members shall have at least two (2) years tenure with the
Department.
3. The Chairperson shall have served on the Awards Board not less
than one (1) year prior to appointment and shall be a sworn member.
4. The Chairperson shall report directly to the Deputy Chief of Police.
C. The Chairperson shall vote only:
1. To ensure a quorum of at least six (6) voting members is present at
a board meeting, or
2. To be the deciding vote in the event of a tie of voting members.
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D. In the event of a tie vote when the Chairperson is voting, the Deputy
Chief of Police will be the deciding vote.
E. The voting members shall consist of at least six (6) sworn members and
at least two (2) non-sworn members. The ninth member may be sworn
or non-sworn.
F. Members of the Awards Board serve at the pleasure of the Chief of
Police.
G. Annually, the Chief of Police or designee is responsible for reviewing
and approving the membership of the Awards Board.
H. Members of the Awards Board shall seek familiarization training from
the Chairperson regarding policy, procedure, and current practice.
II. AWARD CLASSIFICATIONS
A. Medal of Honor
1. This is the highest award presented by the Department to members
who, in the line of duty, distinguish themselves by an act of heroism
or put themselves in imminent personal danger and take such action
with knowledge of the risk involved.
2. The act must be performed for the purpose of protecting human life
and be so outstanding it clearly demonstrates the member’s
courage.
3. There may be no margin of doubt or possibility of error in awarding
this honor.
B. Medal for Bravery
1. This award shall be for members who display heroism above and
beyond the call of duty.
2. This conduct shall occur in a potentially life-threatening circumstance
to the member, with knowledge personal risk is involved, and may
include lifesaving efforts by the member towards another human
being.
3. The act must demonstrate sound judgment that does not jeopardize
the mission.
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4. This award recognizes a member’s heroic conduct but to a lesser
degree than conduct displayed for the Medal of Honor.
C. Police Purple Heart
1. This award shall be presented to a sworn member who, while
showing sound judgement and rationale in the performance of an
official duty under extremely hazardous conditions, or as a result of
the criminal action of a perpetrator, receives an injury resulting in
great bodily harm, permanent disfigurement or death.
2. This recognition can be awarded in conjunction with any of the other
Department awards.
D. Life Saving Award
1. This award is to recognize those members who, under true
emergency circumstances, act to prevent probable loss of life either
by exercising appropriate first aid procedures or by direct
intervention.
2. The member’s action must directly impact the individual’s survival.
3. Any nomination for this award requires documentation which
substantiates the lifesaving action taken and shall include
statements from on-scene witnesses, including other Department
members and any medical or rescue personnel.
E. Meritorious Service Award
This award shall be for service rendered in the line of duty where the
member, because of their diligence and perseverance, performs a
difficult task preventing a serious crime, protecting substantial property
or human life, or causing the successful closure of a significant criminal
case in which the suspect is apprehended.
F. Police Patriot Service Medal
1. This award is to recognize those members who serve not only their
community but also their country.
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2. Sworn and non-sworn members who are activated under official
military orders to serve in time of war, campaigns, disasters or
homeland security issues are authorized to receive this medal.
G. Unit Citation Award
1. This award shall be for service rendered in the line of duty where a
unit displays outstanding performance while apprehending criminals,
preventing crime, displaying courage, or protecting life and property.
2. This award shall include non-sworn member units whose
contributions improve the Department’s efficiency, enhance the
quality of our community through police services, and/or perform a
valuable act either administratively or operationally.
H. Critical Incident Citation
1. This citation shall be for service rendered in the line of duty where a
member (sworn or non-sworn) is part of an overall strategic team
displaying outstanding service while apprehending criminals,
investigating criminal activity, preventing crime, or protecting life and
property.
2. Recipients must distinguish themselves by demonstrating
exceptional teamwork during a critical incident where, because of
their diligence and perseverance, they perform a vital role in the
successful resolution of the incident.
3. The member’s act may include the planning or execution of an
administrative task and/or a leadership role in the overall resolution
of the incident.
4. This citation is limited to acts that are above and beyond the regular
call of duty. Exceptional adherence to routine duty should be
reflected in the member’s performance evaluation.
5. The recipient of this citation is not excluded from receiving a separate
individual award for a specific action taken during the same incident
should it be deemed worthy as described in this section.
I. Letter of Commendation
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1. This commendat