United States law enforcement decorations

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A Law Enforcement Purple Heart and Certificate issued by the National Association of Chiefs of Police. LawEnforcementPurpleHeart.jpg
A Law Enforcement Purple Heart and Certificate issued by the National Association of Chiefs of Police.

United States law enforcement decorations are awarded by the police forces of the United States of America. Since the United States has a decentralized police force, with separate independent departments existing on the state and local level, there are thousands of law enforcement decorations in existence.

Contents

Usage and history

Law enforcement medals and badges first appeared in the late 19th century, as used by some of the (then) largest police departments in the country, such as the New York City Police Department and Chicago Police Department. Early law enforcement awards were often pins and badges awarded on a case-by-case basis. Standardized law enforcement awards began to appear once police departments began issuing more codified and structured uniform regulations. [1]

Originally, law enforcement awards were rarely awarded, and then only for acts of heroism or bravery. The oldest police awards thus have such names as "Medal of Valor" and "Medal of Honor". Later in the 20th century, police departments began issuing medal ribbons for such routine tasks as years of service, completion of training, or simply general membership in the police. Law enforcement awards, historically the domain of larger city departments, became more common with smaller local and town offices, as well as Sheriff's departments, towards the end of the 20th century.

Typically, law enforcement decorations are bestowed by a particular police department and may only be worn and displayed while a police officer is serving as a member of that particular law enforcement activity. Most such awards are provided by city, county and state officials. Federal law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, DEA, and the Department of Homeland Security issue medals under the authority of the United States government which are considered separate civilian government awards.

Law enforcement awards are often independently designed by the city, town, or county, where they are issued and many have a unique appearance to separate them from U.S. military awards (which are themselves often authorized for wear on police uniforms by military veterans). During the trial of George Zimmerman, the Sanford Police Department came under heavy criticism when it was revealed on national television that their officers were wearing U.S. military awards, including such decorations as the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, with simply different names as police awards. After numerous complaints to both the Sanford police and the Fraternal Order of Police, the department discontinued this practice of wearing U.S. military awards in lieu of unique police decorations. [2]

Index of law enforcement awards

The following sections list various police decorations by awarding agency

Columbia Police Department

Denver Police Department

Elyria Police Department

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department

Los Angeles Police Department

Minneapolis Police Department

Minnesota State Patrol

AwardCriterion [3] [4]
Valor AwardThe Valor Award is for an outstanding degree of dedication and devotion above and beyond professional duty that involved an imminent and undisputable risk of loss of life to the employee. This award is given for an act or series of acts committed with outstanding courage in a situation that, because of its extraordinary circumstance, placed the employee and/or others in actual physical jeopardy. While exposed to danger, the person must have acted with deliberate intent, exercised judgment and performed competent action that reflects credit and admiration upon the employee and the Minnesota State Patrol. This award may be presented posthumously to the next-of-kin of the employee/enforcement officer who would have received the award.
Purple HeartThis recognition may be awarded to employees seriously injured or killed from acts of aggression or assaults upon them while performing job-related duties. The person's injuries must involve a substantial risk of death, permanent disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of their body's ability to function. This award may be presented posthumously to the next-of-kin of the employee who would have otherwise received the award.
Trooper of the YearThis award is presented to the trooper who best demonstrates outstanding work performance, initiative, leadership and effective interpersonal relations.
Civilian Employee of the YearThis award is presented to the non-sworn employee who best demonstrates outstanding work performance, initiative, leadership and effective interpersonal relations.
Leadership AwardThis award is presented yearly to the employee who consistently exhibits outstanding leadership and excellence in public safety through their personal actions, guidance, direction and professional involvement.
Eagle Squadron AwardEach year, the Eagle Squadron Award is presented to the Minnesota State Patrol trooper who arrested the greatest number of impaired drivers the previous year.
Exceptional Service AwardThis award is presented to employees who have provided extraordinary service in the performance of their duties.
Meritorious Service AwardThis award is presented to employees for acts involving personal risk-posing hazards that could lead to serious injury or loss of life to the employee.
Chief's Commendation Award – Communications/911This award is presented to radio communications operators who provide vital, life-saving services that lead to the rescue of a person, provide outstanding performance during a special event, or provide a consistent, sustained, high level of customer service.
Life Saving AwardThis award is presented to members of the State Patrol who distinguish themselves by performing acts that prevent the death of another.
Minnesota State Patrol Commendation AwardThis award is presented to members of another law enforcement or emergency service agency who have assisted the State Patrol in providing a significant service.
Meritorious Citizenship AwardThis award is presented to individuals other than State Patrol employees who helped the State Patrol in providing a significant service to the public.

Montgomery County Police Department

AwardRibbonCriterion
Medal of Valor
MCPD Medal of Valor.svg
The MCPD's highest award, the Medal of Valor is awarded to an MCPD officer for heroism and distinction in extremely hazardous circumstances. To be considered for this honor, an employee must exhibit unusual bravery in the performance of duty while facing the threat of death or serious injury. [5]
Life Saving Award
MCPD Life Saving Award.svg
The Life Saving Award is given to an MCPD officer who makes a major contribution toward saving the life of another by providing essential medical treatment prior to arrival of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel. [6]
Commendation
MCPD Commendation.svg
A Commendation is awarded to an MCPD officer who makes a significant contribution to the mission of the department beyond the ordinary call of duty. It recognizes those incidents wherein the member's courage, resourcefulness, tenacity, and/or perseverance in the performance of the employee's duties has resulted in the protection of life or property, the prevention of a major crime, or the apprehension of an armed and dangerous criminal. [7]

New York City Police Department

Oklahoma City Police Department

Philadelphia Police Department

Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department

Sanford Police Department

Prior to the controversy surrounding the display of obvious U.S. military award ribbons as police decorations, the Sanford police issued these ribbons (in order of precedence shown below) before discontinuing the practice. [8]

St. Louis County Police Department

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Wadman,R., To Protect and to Serve: A History of Police in America, Pearson Publishing (2003)
  2. ↑ Ingersoll, G., "Florida's Sanford Police Department Cancels Use Of Military Ribbons After Outrage", Business Insider (Retrieved Dec 2, 19)
  3. ↑ ""Ask a Trooper" explains what the white and blue pins on uniforms stand for". www.kdal610.com.
  4. ↑ "2017 Annual Awards Ceremony". www.dps.mn.gov/divisions/msp.
  5. ↑ "Montgomery County Police Department". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Montgomery County Police Department". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Montgomery County Police Department". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022.
  8. ↑ Ingersoll, Geoffrey (July 3, 2013). "Florida's Sanford Police Department Cancels Use Of Military Ribbons After Outrage". Business Insider. Archived from the original on December 2, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
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