Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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3.15 Awards and Commendations
3.15.1 Employee Recognition and Awards (Revised : 2/2/11)
The highest level of professional conduct is expected of all members. Personnel occasionally
perform their duties in a manner exceeding even the highest standards of conduct. The official
commendation of such performance is provided to give full recognitio n to those who have
brought honor to themselves and the Police Department. A Universitywide policy is established
to provide for the awarding of medals and commendation to Department personnel in order that
acts that merit special attention are formally re cognized. The qualifications for Universitywide
awards are outlined in the Universitywide Police Policies and Administrative Procedures
Manual. In addition, the UCSF Police Department has an annual Employee Awards Program that
formally recognizes the excel lent work and contributions of Police Department members on
behalf of the UCSF community and the organization.
A. Procedure
1. Any commendation of a member of the Police Department received by a means
other than a citizen letter will be documented in writ ing and forwarded through
the chain of command to the Chief of Police.
2. Citizen letters and other documented commendations will be placed in personnel
files and shift files. If the Chief of Police feels a commendation is of such
magnitude or significanc e, additional publicity and Police Department recognition
may be added.
3. The procedures for documentation and review of Universitywide Awards are
outlined in the Universitywide Police Policies and Administrative Procedures
Manual.
4. UCSF Employee Award s Program – the Police Department has an Employee
Awards Committee comprised of members from all Divisions and Staff of the
Police Department. The committee is responsible for promoting and coordinating
the annual Employee Awards Program. The Awards Review Board will determine
the type of award that should be given or nominated for the commendable
member action. The Chief of Police retains the final determination of the award,
recognition or nomination.
B. Types of Awards and Commendation
1. The Universi tywide Police Policies and Administrative Procedures allow for the
following awards. The descriptions and qualifications for nomination for these
awards are outlined in the Universitywide Police Policies and Administrative
Procedures:
a. The Medal of Valo r
b. The Medal of Courage
c. The Medal of Merit
d. The Lifesaving Medal
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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e. The Purple Heart Medal
f. The Distinguished Service Commendation.
2. Employee of the Year Award – to be awarded to one member who has
consistently displayed qualities of effectiveness, courtesy, teamwork, efficiency,
productivity and flexibility in meeting Police Department goals and in
responsiveness to personnel and citizen needs. This member is dedicated to the
pursuit of excellence and consistently exempli fies the values and philosophy of
the Police Department.
a. The Employee of the Year Award will be given by the Chief of Police at
the Police Department’s annual Employee Recognition Celebration.
b. The Employee of the Year Award will consist of a plaque a ccompanied by
a letter describing the qualities recognized by the award for the member
and a perpetual plaque displayed at the Police Department. A copy of the
letter will be placed in the member’s personnel file.
3. Customer Service Award – to be awarded to one member who regularly displays
exceptional concern for the satisfaction and welfare of the public. This member
frequently takes the extra step to ensure the problem is resolved and that the
citizen is pleased with the results of their contact with th e Police Department. The
award will be presented annually at the Employee Recognition Celebration.
a. The Customer Service Award will be given by the Chief of Police at the
Police Department’s annual Employee Recognition Celebration.
b. The Customer Servi ce Award will consist of a plaque accompanied by a
letter describing the qualities recognized by the award. A copy of the letter
will be placed in the member’s personnel file.
4. Innovator Award – to be presented to one member who has introduced or
suggest ed change(s) that, when implemented, significantly improved the Police
Department’s ability to provide service to the community and/or the Police
Department. This member’s idea(s) resulted in direct cost -savings, a new service
was implemented or an existin g service was improved. The award will be
presented annually at the Employee Recognition Celebration.
a. The Innovator Award will be given by the Chief of Police at the Police
Department’s annual Employee Recognition Celebration.
b. The Innovator Award wi ll consist of a plaque accompanied by a letter
describing the qualities recognized by the award. A copy of the letter will
be placed in the member’s personnel file.
6. Stewardship Award – to be awarded to one staff employee who has strengthened
the support ive work environment and demonstrated stewardship through integrity,
innovation, teamwork and promotion of a culture of fairness, transparency and
accountability. This employee’s efforts have resulted in the advancement of
UCSF's mission, safeguarded Unive rsity assets resulting in cost savings or the
preservation of physical resources and assured the public’s trust in the
Department and the University
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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a. The Stewardship Award will be given by the Chief of Police at the Police
Department’s annual Employee Re cognition Celebration.
b. The Stewardship Award will consist of a plaque accompanied by a letter
describing the qualities recognized by the award. A copy of the letter will
be placed in the member’s personnel file.