CHIEFS AWARD POLICY

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

This policy provides general guidelines for recognizing commendable or meritorious acts of members/nonmembers of the North Dakota Chiefs of Police Association (NDCPA) and individuals from the communities we serve.

 

POLICY

It is the policy of the NDCPA to recognize and acknowledge exceptional individual or group achievements, performance, extreme proficiency, heroism and service of its members or individuals from the communities through commendations and awards.  Any member may recommend a commendation for any police department member/nonmember or citizen to receive formal NDCPA medals or awards as described in policy.  The NDCPA recognizes the importance of the nomination process to be completed in a timely manner.  The following guidelines shall be followed when recommending recognition of exemplary performance of members or citizens.

 

NOMINATIONS

Nomination by a NDCPA Member:  The nominating member shall investigate and gather infromation which would support the recommendation and then complete the authorized NDCPA Employee Recognition Form, along with all the other supporting information, through the chain of command for submittal to the Awards Committee.

Member Department TIER MATRIX

0-10 Sworn

11-50 Sworn

51 and Over Sworn

Each Tier can nominate any of the below listed awards.

 

AWARDS COMMITTEE

     *  The Awards Committee will consist of 3 NDCPA Department members and a committee chairman who shall hold the minimum rank of Captain.  Members will serve for a minimum term of two (2) years.

     *  It shall be the duty of the committee chairman to make sure all the supporting documentation has been provided to the awards committee in a timely fashion for their review prior to a committee vote.

     *  If it is determined during a meeting that more information is needed prior to a vote.  The questions of the committee will be documented by the committee chairman and the meeting may be adjourned to provide time to obtain the answers and then reconvened for the actual vote.

     *  The Awards Committee members shall be appointed by the NDCPA President or designee.

     *  The Awards Committee shall meet as often as necessary to enable awards to be presented to recipients in a timely manner.  Or annually to review the structure of the committee, its purpose and to determine the recipients of the Employee/Civilian of the Year Awards.

     *  Each Awards Committee vote must be unanimous for an award to be issued to a member.

     *  If it is determined the conduct is deserving of an award it shall be decided by the Awards Committee which award is to be given to the member.

     *  The decision of the committee will be given in writing to the NDCPA President for final approval.

     *  All award granted shall be recorded by NDCPA Secretary.

 

PRESENTATION OF DEPARTMENT COMMENDATIONS AND AWARDS

The Procedure for their presentation will be as follows:

     *  The NDCPA President or a designee will be responsible for releasing any information concerning the action to the department or public.  The names(s) of the involved member(s) may be released to the media.

     *  The presentation of all medals and awards earned by members will be made at the discretion of the NDCPA President.  Invitation to attend the presentation may also be given to local dignitaries and the media. 

     *  The NDCPA President or his designee will present all awards received by members.

 

DESCRIPTION OF DEPARTMENT COMMENDATIONS AND AWARDS

 

Medal of Honor:  The Medal of Honor is the NDCPA's highest award.  This medal may be awarded to a sworn member who willingly and selflessly gives their life in the line of duty or distinguishes themself by the performance of an act of courage involving risk or imminent danger to their life above and beyond the call of duty.  There may be no margin of doubt or possibility of error in awarding this honor.  The member must render themselves conspicuous of an act so outstanding that it clearly distinguishes their courage from lesser form of recognizable bravery.

 

The criteria for the issuance of this award shall be as follows:

     *  The recipient must have been a sworn member of the department when the incident occurred.

     *  The recipient must have been acting within the law and department policies and procedures.

     *  The recipient must have acted in the face of extreme personal danger, without hesitation or regard for their own well-being.

     *  The recipient must have undertaken these actions willingly and with full knowledge of the grave risk to their own personal safety.

 

Sworn Member of the Year (Officer of the Year):  Individual service awards are based on continual, exceptional performance of duty, clearly above that normally expected, which has contributed to the success of their department.

 

The criteria for the Issuance of this award shall be as follows.:

     *  The recipient must have been a sworn member at the time of nomination.

     *  The recipient's conduct was significantly superior to normal conduct.

     *  The recipient demonstrated positive personal initiative and expertise.

     *  The recipient exhibited conduct which would tend to establish a positive role model for other members.

     *  The recipient exhibited cooperative and productive behavior which significantly furthered the accomplishment of the police mission.

Non-Sworn Member of the Year (Civilian of the Year:  Individual service awards are based on continual, exceptional performance of duty, clearly above that normally expected, which has contributed to the success of their department.

 

The criteria for the issuance of this medal shall be as follows:

     *  The recipient's conduct was significantly superior to normal conduct.

     *  The recipient demonstrated positive personal initiative and expertise.

     *  The recipient exhibited conduct which would tend to establish a positive role model for other members.

     *  The recipient exhibited cooperative and productive behavior which significantly furthered the accomplishment of the police mission.

 

CIVILIAN RECOGNITION AND AWARDS

 

Courageous Service Award:  The Courageous Service Award is the department's award presented to the public.

 

The criteria for the issuance of this award shall be as follows:

     *  The recipient must have been acting within the law when the incident occurred.

     *  The recipient must have acted in the face of extreme personal danger, without hesitation or regard for their own well-being.

     *  The recipient must have undertaken these actions willingly and with full knowledge of the grave risk to their own personal safety

 

 NOMINATION PROCESS:

 

Candidates may be nominated by any North Dakota Chiefs of Police Member.

          1.  Nominations shall consist of no more than four type-written pages and shall include:

                    a.  a brief biography of the candidate;

                    b.  a narrative stating the basis for the nomination;

                    c.  the candidate's agency, assignment and years of service,

                    d.  previous awards, honors or other recognition received by the candidate.

                    e.  a high-quality photo of the candidate.

         2.  Nomination shall include the name, address, and agency of the nominating official

 

All nominations shall be received by the Awards Committee no later than April 1, to be considered for the award.

 

The North Dakota Chiefs of Police Association Awards Committee shall serve as the award selection committee, for this award..

 

The awards will be presented during the NDCPA Conference Award Banquet..

 

Nominations can be submitted in hard copy or by email to:

    David Peterson

    Chief of Police

    Williston Police Department

    223 East Broadway Suite 201

    Williston, ND

     peterson@ci.williston.nd.us

     701-577-1212