1030.3 COMMENDABLE ACTIONS
Supervisors and mangers will use the following classifications and guidelines for issuing
commendations to officers:
Level One
Police Medal of Honor, Medal of Valor, Hazardous Duty Award, Outstanding Police
Duty Award
1. Police Medal of Honor: To be awarded to any officer killed in the line of duty or to
an officer who displays extreme courage, bravery, and devotion to duty while
exposing him or herself to grave danger in the face of a seemingly hopeless situation
notwithstanding his/her own imminent peril. The Police Medal of Honor recipient
must have demonstrated that there was a conscious awareness of the imminent threat
to physical safety at the time the action was performed.
2. Police Medal of Valor: To be awarded to any officer, who distinguishes him or
herself by conspicuous bravery in the performance of such officer’s sworn duties under
unusual, complicated, or hazardous conditions, the officer must have used excellent
judgment in accomplishing an assigned mission, including sustaining human life.
3. Hazardous Duty Award: To be awarded to any officer who receives a serious wound
or injury in the performance of an exemplary act under unusual, hazardous, or
complicated conditions. The officer must have used good or sound judgment in
accordance with the high standards of the Salinas Police
Department.
4. Outstanding Police Duty Award: To be awarded to members of the department for
outstanding police service accomplishments in the following areas:
(a) Employee made correct decision with very limited information in dangerous or highrisk situation.
(b) Tenacious follow through to successful conclusion in high-risk, dangerous or
extremely complicated case.
(c) Employee was subjected to direct hazard that could not be avoided to complete his/her
duties.
(d) Employee was involved in life saving or life threatening situation where severe
hazard to the employee was imminent
(b) Level Two
Letters of Commendation: Achievement, Recognition, and Outside Commendations.
1. Letter of Achievement:
(a) Routine work but completed under unusual or out of the ordinary circumstances
(b) Employee showed special persistence or initiative.
(c) Coordination of varied resources to solve case.
(d) Employee showed creativity with limited information.
(e) Employee showed initiative while off duty.
(f) Excellent observation and follow-up to a successful conclusion.
(g) Truly professional behavior shown by employee.
(h) Excellent decision in unusual circumstances.
(i) A Letter of Achievement shall be issued in all situations involving the saving of a life.
2. Letter of Recognition:
(a) Excellent work, but within job description
(b) Significant improvement in job performance.
3. Outside Commendation:
(a) Employee recognition by citizens via letter, personal contact, or telephone calls.