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__________________________________________ __________________________ _______________________________ General Order -B-22 1 of 9 Awards and Commendations TEMPLE TERRACE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER EFFECTIVE DATE 04/29/2005 FILE INDEX NO. B-22 SUBJECT: Awards and Commendations INDEX AS: Same as above RESCINDS: REVISES: B-22 DATE REVISED: 02/22/2023 DISTRIBUTION ALL MEMBERS I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this directive is to provide guidelines for awards and commendations for Department members and citizens. II. SCOPE: All members III. DISCUSSION: Throughout the realm of law enforcement activities, particul ar acts and exemplary performance deserves formal recognition. The awards program provides for positive rei nforcement when members perform their duties in an exemplary manner or with extraordinary co mpassion, bravery, or courage. This program also provides the department an opportunity to reco gnize citizens for their assistance to our members, the department, and the community. IV. DEFINITIONS: A. Police Medal of Honor -To be awarded to an officer who voluntarily distinguishes him/herself by extraordinary herois m. The officer must have been fully aware of the imminent threat to his/her personal safety and have acted above and beyond the call of duty at the risk of his/her own life. May be awarded posthumously. Ribbon, Medal and Certificate are issued. Ribbon: Red, White , and Blue. (Red worn to officer’s right). __________________________________________ __________________________ _______________________________ General Order -B-22 2 of 9 Awards and Commendations B. The Police Cross -To be presented posthumously to the family of a department member (sworn or civilian) who has lost his/her life in the performance of duty under honorable circumstances. The Police Cross may be presented in addition to other awards personnel may receive for actions, which led to their death. Medal and Certificate are both issued. C. Distinguished Service Medal -To be awarded to a department member (sworn or civilian) for exceptionally meritorious conduct involving exemplary courage, great risk , and danger to personal safety, but less than that required for the Medal of Honor. May also be awarded for meritorious service in the performance of an assignment of great responsi bility, the excellence of such performance distinguishing both the member and the department. Ribbon, Medal , and Certificate are issued. Ribbon: Red and White (Red worn to officer’s right). D. Life Saving Award - To be awarded to a department member (s worn or civilian) DIRECTLY responsible for the saving of a human life. Documentation and other supporting evidence such as statements from physicians, witnesses, and/or supervisory officers should be included with the original recommendation. If a member’s action led to the prolonging of life to the extent that the victim was released to the care of medical authorities, he/she is eligible to receive this award even though the victim may expire at a later date. May be awarded in addition to other awards. Ribbon and certificate are both issued. Ribbon: Blue/Narrow Red/White with Red Cross in center. E. Departmental Citation - To be awarded to a department member (sworn or civilian) for outstanding performance of a difficult task involving personal risk to t he member’s safety when, because of their actions, a serious crime is prevented or the perpetrator is apprehended; outstanding contributions to law enforcement through the success of difficult police programs, projects or situations, such contributions bei ng made at a high degree of professional excellence; or other outstanding actions of such nature as to bring unusual credit to the department and its members. Ribbon and certificate are both issued. Ribbon: White/Narrow Blue/Red Center. __________________________________________ __________________________ _______________________________ General Order -B-22 3 of 9 Awards and Commendations F. Police Heart Aw ard - To be awarded to a department member (sworn or civilian) actively engaged in a police activity at the time of injury. The injury must be of sufficient gravity to require professional medical treatment and is primarily intended to recognize officers w ho are injured as a result of felonious assault; but the department may also consider other injuries resulting from fires, explosions, etcetera as valid justification. The Department SHOULD NOT consider injuries sustained from falls, motor vehicle acciden ts, etc., EXCEPT in cases where evidence clearly indicates that the officer exercised all reasonable safety precautions and had no reasonable control over the circumstances. The Department MUST NOT consider any injuries sustained as a result of, or concur rent with any conduct by the injured officer which is less than fully acceptable by all standards. Ribbon and certificate are both issued. Ribbon: White/Narrow Purple/Purple Heart in center. G. Meritorious Citation - To be awarded to a department member (sworn or civilian) for outstanding performance of duty under unusual or difficult conditions; meritorious action of a nature, which would not be eligible for a higher award; or to an officer of another law enforcement agency for eligible actions while ai ding, assisting, or working in conjunction with an officer(s) of this Department. The actions need not involve exposure to physical danger, but must involve the protection of life or property, show unusual thoroughness, conscientiousness, determination, and initiative. Certificate and ribbon are both issued. Ribbon: Blue/Narrow Red/White Center. H. Thomas L. Lewis Law Enforcement Award -