.01A. This procedure establishes a process whereby members of the Department are recognized for exceptionally;
heroic and valorous acts, and for exemplary, meritorious, and exceptional service contributions that bring credit to the officer and the Department.
.01B. This procedure also establishes a process whereby private citizens, community groups, and businesses are;
recognized for their unselfish contributions to the Department.
.02A. It is the policy of the Department to recognize and honor both sworn and non-sworn members who perform extraordinary acts of courage and heroism, or who distinguish themselves by;
providing outstanding service to the Department or the community.
.02B. Private Citizens, community groups, and businesses can also be recognized under this procedure for their unselfish actions that help save the life of another person, for their exemplary actions at a particular incident in response;
to law enforcement activity, or for their unselfish contributions to the Department.
.03A. - This award is the highest award presented by the San Antonio Police Department.
Medal of Valor Award
.03A.This award is bestowed upon San Antonio police officers who distinguish themselves by displaying great courage, above and beyond the call of duty, in the face of immediate life-threatening peril and with full knowledge of the risks involved.
Medal of Valor Award
.03B. This award is bestowed upon San Antonio police officers for heroic deeds and exceptional conduct involving great risk to their safety while performing their duties.
Meritorious Conduct Award
.03C. This award is bestowed upon San Antonio police officers who are directly responsible for saving a human life.
Lifesaving Award
.03D. This award is bestowed upon San Antonio police officers who are killed or suffer serious bodily injury while encountering a hostile situation in the line of duty.
Purple Heart Award
.04A.- This award is presented to members who distinguish themselves for exemplary service to the Department.
Distinguished Service Award
.04B. - This award is presented to San Antonio police officers from each of (3) ranks:Police Officer, Detective-Investigator, and Sergeant, who have provided the most outstanding service to the Department during the year.
Officer of the Year Award
.04C. - This award is presented to members who, by their exemplary actions, distinguish themselves at a particular incident.
Certificate of Merit Award
.04C. Examples of exemplary actions include judgment, initiative, courage, teamwork, investigative skills, and immediate recognition and response to law enforcement activity.
Certificate of Merit Award
.04D.- This award is presented to members who distinguish themselves and the Department for volunteer work to the community.
Community Service Award
.04E. - This award is presented to members of the Department who exhibit exceptional customer service in the performance of their duties.
Customer Service Award
.04F. – (5) years without any administrative disciplinary action which results in the member’s reduction in rank; disciplinary action during a probationary period; suspension; written reprimand, written counseling, or demerit.
Good Conduct Award
.05A. – (5) consecutive years without a chargeable city vehicle crash and each subsequent five (5) years in which a member has not had a chargeable city vehicle crash.
Safe Driving Award
.05B. – (5) years of continuous service with the Department and each subsequent fifth year thereafter.
Years of Service Award
.05C. San Antonio police officers are eligible for this award upon obtaining a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer’s Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) Instructor’s License.
Instructor’s License Award
.05D. San Antonio police officers are eligible for this award upon obtaining a Master Peace Officer’s Certification from TCLEOSE.
Master Peace Officer Certification Award
.05E. San Antonio police officers are eligible for this award upon obtaining an Advanced Peace Officer’s Certification from TCLEOSE.
Advanced Peace Officer Certification Award
.05F. San Antonio police officers are eligible for this award upon obtaining an Intermediate Peace Officer’s Certification from TCLEOSE.
Intermediate Peace Officer Certification Award
.06A. – This award is bestowed to a citizen who by their unselfish actions, attempted to help save the life of another person.
The Citizen Hero Award
.06B.– This award is bestowed to a citizen who, by their exemplary actions, distinguishes themselves at a particular incident.
The Citizen Merit Award
.06C. Is presented to a citizen or group who distinguish themselves by their unselfish contributions to the Department or the Community.
The Certificate of Appreciation
.06C. Examples include volunteer work, donation of resources, or taking measures to help achieve a safer community
The Certificate of Appreciation
.06B. Examples of exemplary actions include judgment, initiative, and courage in response to a law enforcement activity.
The Certificate of Appreciation
.07A. Any person who witnesses or otherwise learns of an exemplary act by a member, citizen, group, or business may initiate a request for Departmental recognition by submitting written correspondence through
The Office of the Chief to the Awards Evaluation Committee.
.07A. Shall nominate members under their command for the various awards for service by submitting written correspondence through the Office of the Chief to the Awards Evaluation Committee.
Division, Section, and Unit Commanders
.07A. Awards which do not require nomination.
Awards for Achievement
.07B. Nominations received by the Awards Evaluation Committee are reviewed to ensure the;
actions taken by the nominated members fit the criteria for the recommended awards.
.07C. After a review by the Awards Evaluation Committee, any nomination that results in an award recommendation by the Committee shall be;
forwarded to the Office of the Chief.
.08A. The Awards Evaluation Committee is appointed by the Chief of Police and is charged with the responsibility of rendering recommendations for the various awards for;
nominated members, private citizens, community groups, and businesses.
.08B. The Awards Committee consists of;
(5) sworn members, and may include up to (5) private citizens.
.08C. The Awards Evaluation Committee, through majority decision, recommends:
- The award is approved;
- An alternate award is approved; or
- No award is approved.
.08D. The Awards Evaluation Committee forwards all recommendations for awards, whether;
approved or disapproved, to the Office of the Chief.
.09A. Notifies each nominee in writing of the recommendation made by the committee.
The Awards Evaluation Committee
.09B. All nominations for awards, whether approved or disapproved, are placed in;
the nominated member’s Departmental personnel file.
.09C. Approved Awards of Honor and Awards for Service may be presented to officers by the Chief of Police at a;
formal ceremony or any other setting the Chief deems appropriate.
.09D. Approved Awards for Achievement are presented by the;
Division Commander or his designee.
.09E. Approved Citizen Hero Awards, Citizen Merit Awards, and the Certificate of Appreciation may be presented by the Chief of Police or his designee at a formal ceremony, or any other setting the Chief deems appropriate, including the;
citizen’s residence or workplace.
.10A. Officers receiving the Medal of Valor may display the medal portion of the award with the regulation or formal uniform during the following events.
- Speaking engagements;
- Official police inspections;
- Departmental or law enforcement special events
- As authorized by the Office of the Chief
.10C. The bar portion of all awards of honor will be purchased by the;
Department and given to officers who are presented with Awards of Honor.
.10D. The bar portion of all awards for achievement and service may be purchased by the;
member receiving the award at the member’s expense.
.10F. A color printout of the bar portion of all awards will be on display in;
each Division Office.
.11A. Any member receiving an award, being promoted to a higher rank or retiring in good standing from the Department may receive;
public recognition at a formal ceremony.
- Promotional ceremonies shall be held on the day;
before a promotion is to become effective;
Retirement ceremonies shall be coordinated by the;
Police Media Services Detail.
.11B. Attendance at a formal ceremony is;
voluntary on the part of the member, retiree, or citizen.
.11C. As to the date, time, and location of the formal ceremony, members, retirees, citizens, community groups, and businesses are notified by;
letter from the Office of the Chief
.11C. Members’ and retirees’ Division and Section Commanders and Unit/Shift Directors are notified by the;
Office of the Chief as to the date, time, and location of the formal ceremony.
.11C. Co-workers of honorees are notified as to the date, time, and location of the formal ceremony at;
their respective roll calls.
11D. Is responsible for coordinating all activities necessary for conducting the formal ceremony.
The Police Media Services Detail
11D. is responsible for notifying the Office of the Chief and the Media Services Detail when an officer has given notification of his anticipated retirement.
The Accounting and Personnel Office
11D. Division and Section Commanders and Unit/Shift Directors of members receiving an award, being promoted, or retiring are encouraged to attend the formal ceremony to;
honor officers that work or worked under their command.