The Saint Paul Police Department Commendation Program is coordinated by the support services and administration division. The support services and administration executive officer will serve as the review board chairperson and s/he will maintain such files as are necessary to this function.
Commendation Review Board (C.R.B.):
The C.R.B. will be made up of 10 members (including the chairperson), the chairperson being an executive officer assigned to the support services and administration division. Irrespective of rank, a cross section of personnel (both civilian and sworn) from the department’s divisions will serve as members. The C.R.B. will be made up of the C.R.B. chairperson, one district supervisor, three patrol officers, two investigators, two civilian employees and one representative from the chief’s office. The C.R.B. chairperson (with the approval of the chief or designee) will select the C.R.B. members. Members and alternates will serve three-year appointments to the board. C.R.B. meeting deliberations are private and members are not to disclose deliberations with anyone outside the particular meeting unless directed by the chief of police.
The C.R.B. will review the incident and submit its recommendation to the administrative team. The chief of police will conduct the final review of all recommendations.
Initiating Recommendations:
Any member may recommend any other member for consideration for a commendation but must do so in writing on the recommendation form. The recommendation should include documentation such as police reports, witnesses’ names, statements, case number, evidence, or any other information that will assist the C.R.B. in reviewing the recommendation. All C.R.B. recommendations will be submitted directly to Police Human Resources Unit.
C.R.B. meetings are normally held on the last Thursday of each month. All matters submitted during the previous month are brought to the board for consideration. Decisions may be held over for a future meeting if more information or witnesses are required in order to make an informed decision.
Criteria:
The C.R.B. will consider the appropriate award criteria in its review. If the action incident does not meet the criteria, a “Line of Duty” (L.O.D.) letter will be sent.
- Medal of Valor: For extraordinary valor above and beyond the call of duty that exhibits exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness and presence of mind, and unusual swiftness of action. This award is given for action taken understanding the risk to the officer’s personal safety in an attempt to save or protect the life of another in furtherance of the guardian values of sanctity of life.
- Chief’s Shield: Awarded to an officer seriously or critically injured in the line of duty.
- Distinguished Service Award: Awarded for an act of courage and bravery involving an unusual situation or sudden occurrence of a serious and urgent nature that demands immediate action, the utilization of exceptional tactics, and demonstrates good judgement over and above what is normally demanded and expected.
- Life Saving Award: Awarded to officer who goes above and beyond the call of duty, and whose extreme and unusual actions save another’s life.Medal of Merit: Awarded to an officer for a highly creditable and unusual police accomplishment. This event or action(s) is unique and specialized in nature and would be considered an outstanding act or achievement not seen or performed frequently.
- Medal of Commendation: Awarded to an officer for exemplary work that is an extraordinary achievement above and beyond the normal scope of duties. This work may be self-initiated, but is seen as a performance or action that displayed superior intelligence and effort.
- Unit Citation: Awarded to a unit for exceptional performance of their duty, above and beyond what would be expected from that unit.
- Chief's Award for Valor or Merit: Awarded to an individual or group of individuals by the chief of police in recognition of exceptional actions or activities taken on behalf of the department and/or the City of Saint Paul.
- Letter of Recognition (L.O.R.): Recognition of intelligent and excellent performance of regular duties. Recognition to a member who deals with a citizen or citizens in crisis situations to prevent harm to themselves or others, not considered at high personal risk.
- Unit Letter of Recognition: Awarded to a unit when the accomplishments of that unit are noteworthy and commendable but not of such stature as to merit a unit citation.
Officers and civilians who are awarded will receive a certificate recognizing their award, any corresponding medals and ribbons, and a notation of the date of award in their personnel file.
Revised May 8, 2018