AWARD DESCRIPTIONS
The Police Medal of Honor
This is the highest award in the department. It is to be awarded to a police officer who voluntarily distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and extraordinary heroism. The act must be in excess of normal demands and of such a nature that the officer was fully aware of the imminent threat to his personal safety and acted above and beyond the call of duty at the risk of his life.
The Police Cross
Ranked next in prominence to the Medal of Honor, this award is to be awarded where an officer lost his life in performance of duty under honorable circumstances. The Police Cross may be awarded in addition to any other award the officer may be entitled to in making the supreme sacrifice.
The Police Medal for Valor
Ranked next in prominence to the Police Cross, this award is to be awarded for exceptional bravery at imminent risk of serious bodily injury, the recipient demonstrating exceptional courage by performing a voluntary course of action in an extremely dangerous situation. The term "above and beyond the call of duty" in the qualifications for the Police Medal of Honor and the term "voluntary course of action" in the qualification for the Police Medal for Valor disqualify all acts of courage, no matter how great, performed in the course of carrying out verbal or written orders.
The Meritorious Conduct Bar
Ranked next in prominence to the Police Medal for Valor, this award is to be awarded to an officer for outstanding performance involving great risk to his personal safety while performing his duties. It may be awarded to any police officer for outstanding contributions to law enforcement through the success of difficult police projects, programs or situations with such contributions being make in a highly professional degree of accomplishment.
The Life Saving Bar
Ranked next in prominence to the Meritorious Conduct Bar, this award is to be awarded to any officer for the saving of a human life. This award is intended for all officers directly responsible for the saving of a human life; documentation and supporting evidence must be included to substantiate the award, such as statements from witnesses, physicians, or supervisors. It may be awarded in addition to the awarding of a higher award where the facts show the recipient is entitled to such award.
The Police Shield
Ranked next in prominence to the Life Saving Bar, this award is to be awarded to any police officer or other employee of this department who is seriously injured in the line of duty due to an assault. It may be awarded to any police officer or other employee of this department who is seriously injured in the line of duty as a result of fires, explosions, etc. It may be awarded in addition to the awarding of a higher award where the facts show the recipient is entitled to such award. The injury must not be the result of or concurrent with any conduct of the recipient that is less than acceptable by all standards. The board may not consider injuries sustained from falls on ice, motor vehicle accidents and the like, unless the evidence clearly indicated the employee had exhausted all reasonable safety precautions and had no control over the circumstances.
The Certificate of Merit
This award is for excellence in police work and is to be awarded to police officers of any rank for outstanding performance of duties under unusual, complicated or hazardous conditions over any period of time. It is to be awarded to civilian police personnel, as well as officers, for outstanding or superior performance of any assignment over a prolonged period of time, but such performance to be clearly defined as exceptional, placing them well above other officers or civilians of equal rank or grade. It may be awarded to any police officer from another law enforcement agency qualifying under the above mentioned conditions if earned while aiding, assisting or working with any officer of the Duncan Police Department. This award may be presented to any civilian, either working for the Duncan Police Department or any civilian, who assists in bringing favorable recognition to the department, through their cooperation or involvement. Under no circumstances will the Certificate of Merit be awarded in conjunction with another award for the same service or deed (not including awards from civic or service clubs or any outside agency).
The Annual Officer of the Year Award
Officer of the Year
This award is presented to officer, regardless of rank, who has at least one year service at the time of nomination and who has contributed to the police profession in an outstanding and exemplary manner for the preceding year.
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