Policy

Any MPD employee may initiate an award recommendation. A Recommendation for Award form (MP-1600) shall be completed and forwarded to the Commander of the person recommended. Commanders will forward only Life Saving, Medal of Honor, Medal of Valor, Medal of Commendation, Excellence in Investigation Award, Distinguished Service Award and Department Award of Merit requests within five (5) working days to the Chief's Administrative Assistant. The Administrative Assistant will assign an award log number and forward the award recommendation to the Awards Committee. The Committee will make a recommendation and return their recommendation and the Recommendation for Award Form to the Chief’s Administrative Assistant. He/she will then forward the form to the appropriate Bureau Head and the Chief for final approval. 

Nominations for Unit Citations will be requested annually by Police Administration. 

The Chief's Administrative Assistant will forward all award recommendations, approved or disapproved, to MPD Human Resources for inclusion in the employee's personnel file.

Policy

The Medal of Honor may be awarded to any MPD employee for an act of outstanding bravery or heroism. Demonstrated unselfishness, courage, and the immediate high risk of death or serious physical injury would characterize such an act. The award may also be given posthumously to an employee who has died while involved in action of demonstrated heroism.

The Medal of Honor sworn recipient shall receive a commemorative medal with a light blue ribbon, and a blue uniform bar. The Medal of Honor civilian recipient shall receive a plaque.

Policy

The Medal of Valor may be awarded to any MPD employee for an act of bravery that demonstrates obvious self-sacrifice in the face of death or serious physical injury.

The Medal of Valor sworn recipient shall receive a commemorative medal with red ribbon, and a red uniform bar. The Medal of Valor civilian recipient shall receive a plaque.

Policy

The Chief may award the Department Purple Heart Medal for injuries suffered of a potentially incapacitating nature requiring immediate medical attention and sustained while in the performance of official duties:

• While reacting to the actions of an offender,
• While engaged in the apprehension of an offender, or
• While protecting the life of another.

In addition, this award may be conferred if an injury was averted by the wearing of body armor that may have otherwise met the criteria.

The Department Purple Heart Medal recipient shall receive a commemorative medal with a purple ribbon, and a purple and white uniform bar.

Policy

The Medal of Commendation may be awarded to any MPD employee for an outstanding act that brings credit to the MPD and is highly recognized by other employees or citizens. This act is characterized by obvious self-sacrifice while facing personal danger. This award may also be granted to other law enforcement agencies, City of Minneapolis employees, or citizens.

The Medal of Commendation sworn recipient shall receive a commemorative medal with green ribbon, and a green uniform bar. The Medal of Commendation civilian recipient shall receive a plaque.

Policy

The Excellence in Tactics and De-escalation Award may be given to an MPD employee who utilizes sound judgement and exceptional tactical skills, verbal approaches, or other techniques to de-escalate a critical, volatile or dangerous situation to protect and preserve the life of another.

Sworn recipients of the award shall receive a blue and gold uniform bar. Civilian recipients shall receive a plaque.

Policy

The Department Award of Merit may be awarded to any MPD employee for an outstanding act or achievement that brings credit to the MPD. It involves performance above and beyond that required by the employee's basic work assignment or exceptional professional skill and conduct during a coordinated action or call for service. The award may also be awarded to any MPD employee for exceptional investigative work that brings credit to the MPD.

The Department Award of Merit sworn recipient shall receive a silver uniform bar. The Department Award of Merit civilian recipient shall receive a plaque.

Policy

The Life Saving Award may be awarded to any employee for a direct action in saving a human life that involved exceptional courage or performance, involved prolonged lifesaving efforts, or went beyond the call of duty and beyond standard or required training protocols. The Awards Committee may consider such things as the duration of lifesaving efforts such as CPR or negotiations, whether the officer was alone or assisted, whether the scene was chaotic or contained a significant biohazard, and the length of time before EMS or Fire arrived.

The Life Saving Award sworn recipient shall receive a white uniform bar. The Life Saving Award civilian recipient shall receive a plaque.

Policy

The Unit Citation Award may be awarded to a unit, precinct, or division, at the discretion of the Chief of Police for exemplary service or a specific action.

The award shall consist of a commemorative plaque to be displayed at the unit, precinct or division. An employee assigned for the entire time period considered or the specific action performed may receive this award. Officers will be awarded a black and gold uniform bar. MPD civilian personnel will receive a unit citation pin.

Policy

The Chief's Award of Merit may be presented to any MPD employee for performance resulting in improved operations, outstanding community service, or substantial savings in organizational costs. This award may also be granted to other law enforcement agencies, City of Minneapolis employees, or citizens.

The Chief's Award of Merit sworn recipients shall receive a purple uniform bar. Civilian recipients shall receive a plaque.

The recommendation for this award shall be completed and forwarded to the appropriate Precinct or Division Commander for approval. The recommendation shall then be forwarded to the Chief, who will make a final decision on the award. Recommendations shall then be sent to the Chief’s Administrative Assistant who will order the plaque for approved awards.

Policy

A Bureau Head, Precinct or Division Commander may award any MPD employee in their command an Outstanding Employee pin. Pins are given to recognize employees for exceptional activities that benefit the MPD. Anyone may write a letter to the appropriate Commander recommending a MPD employee for the Outstanding Employee pin.

Policy

The Distinguished Service Award may be presented to any MPD employee or unit having demonstrated compassion to those in need by providing understanding, empathy and confidence, in addition to a solution. Recipient(s) of this award will have demonstrated altruism while attending to the needs of a specific community or individual above and beyond the call of duty. The distinguished service provided will have resulted in a positive impact upon the individual or community and the Department.

Nominations may be made by employees of the MPD, employees of any City department, or members of the public who have witnessed or been the recipient of distinguished service provided by an MPD employee.

The Distinguished Service Award sworn recipients shall receive a tan uniform bar. The Distinguished Service Award civilian recipients shall receive a plaque.

Policy

The Excellence in Investigation Award may be presented to any MPD employee who conducts an investigation that demonstrates remarkable skill and determination to complete. This award may be given in cases where innovative or specialized investigative techniques are used, multiple jurisdictions are involved or the investigator demonstrates remarkable perseverance in the face of great challenges.

Sworn recipients of this award shall receive a maroon uniform bar. Civilian recipients shall receive a plaque.

To establish and authorize the 2020 Distinguished Service Ribbon as a formal Department award recognizing honorable, professional, and resilient service by Minneapolis Police Department members during the historic and multifaceted challenges of the year 2020, including the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, and sustained emergency response operations.

It is the policy of the Minneapolis Police Department to formally honor members who exemplified exceptional dedication to duty and upheld the Department’s highest standards during the unprecedented conditions of 2020. The 2020 Distinguished Service Ribbon symbolizes resilience, integrity, and distinguished performance in the face of profound and overlapping crises. It acknowledges performance that exceeded the requirements of the employee’s basic work assignment, exemplifying dedication, professionalism, and resilience.

Eligibility Criteria

The ribbon may be awarded to sworn and non-sworn members who meet all of the following criteria:

1. Performed active duty for a cumulative minimum of 30 days between May 25, 2020 and December 31, 2020, during which they either:

1. Participated in field, supervisory, or support assignments in response to civil unrest, public health emergencies, or operational continuity needs within Minneapolis.

or

2. Provided essential administrative, public safety, or logistical support during the specified time frame.

2. Consistently demonstrated professional conduct, in alignment with the MPD code of ethics.
3. Were not subject to any sustained disciplinary findings related to misconduct during the qualifying period.

Award Ribbon Description

1. The 2020 Distinguished Service Ribbon consists of:

1. A ribbon bar:

1. Featuring a navy-blue field, symbolizing trust, dignity, confidence, and authority, qualities demonstrated through unwavering service in professional law enforcement.
2. The ribbon’s gold outline, 2020 insignia, and gold badge with a navy-blue center represent the noble profession of law enforcement and the enduring dedication of those who continued to serve. These elements serve as a lasting tribute to the strength, perseverance, and professionalism displayed by recipients during this pivotal period in MPD’s history.

2. An official certificate signed by the Chief of Police.

2. The ribbon may be worn in accordance with MPD uniform standards (P&P 3-122).

Nomination and Approval Process

1. Nominations may be submitted by any supervisor.

2. When submitting the Recommendation using the Award form (MP-1600), the supervisor shall include in the comments a description of nominated member’s role during the qualifying period and a brief justification for the nomination.
3. Nominations shall be routed through the chain of command to the Awards Committee, which will make recommendations to the Chief of Police (P&P 2-301).
4. Final award decisions rest solely with the Chief (P&P 2-301).

Policy

The MPD Awards Committee reviews and recommends approval or disapprovals for commendations for Medals of Honor, Valor, Commendation, Department Award of Merit, Distinguished Service Award, and Life Saving Award. The Awards Committee will have not less than 11 persons but no more than 15 persons sitting on the committee and will meet monthly. The Awards Committee shall consist of: (06/09/15)

• Chair – Deputy Chief, Inspector or Commander – One year commitment
• Co-chair – Deputy Chief, Inspector or Commander – One year commitment
• Two (2) Lieutenants – Two year term
• Two - Four (2-4) Street Sergeants – Two year term
• One (1) Investigator – Two year term
• Two- Four (2-4) Officers – Two year term
• One (1) Park Police Sworn Representative– Two year term
• One (1) MPD Civilian Employee – Two year term

The Committee Chair does not vote unless breaking a tie vote. MPD employees may be recommended for commendation up to one year from the date of the incident/occurrence. Separate documentation must be submitted for each employee being recommended for an award. Final approval for all awards, except for Citizen Appreciation Certificates will be made by the Chief or his/her designee.

Policy

The appeals process for an MPD Awards Committee decision is as follows:

After the MPD Awards Committee makes a decision regarding an award request and it has been processed by the Chief’s Administrative Assistant, an appeal can be initiated by the Commander who processed the award request. The appeal shall be submitted in the form of a letter to the Awards Committee Chairperson from the Commander. (06/09/15)

The Awards Committee Chairperson shall review the appeal with the Awards Committee. The committee will:

• Stand on their original award decision; or
• Concur with the appeal and change their award decision; or
• Request further detail from the Commander or his/her designee within ten days of a committee meeting, and review the decision based on the additional information. 

A modified awards decision will then be forwarded to the Chief’s Office. Once this appeals process has been completed, there will be no further action taken by the Awards Committee.

Policy

All MPD awards will be presented to the employee by the Chief or the employee’s Commander or their designee as soon as practical and reasonable. Certificates of Recognition will be presented at the annual MPD Employee Awards ceremony. 

Civilian employees will receive all award items with the exception of uniform bars. A plaque, certificate and/or letter of recognition from the Chief will be included instead of the uniform bar.

Supervisors or administrative personnel are also allowed and encouraged to write letters of appreciation or acknowledgment for their subordinates. A copy of the letter shall be sent to MPD Human Resources to be placed in the employee's personnel file.

Policy

MPD Employee Award Recipients will be honored at the annual MPD Employee Awards Banquet. This event will be coordinated by the MPD Administration. 

Policy

A Certificate of Appreciation may be presented to any citizen or community organization in recognition of outstanding service to the MPD or for assistance in law enforcement efforts. Any MPD employee may initiate a Citizen’s Appreciation Award. Recommendations, including supporting documentation, shall be forwarded to their Precinct or Division Commander.

The Commander will review the recommendation.

If the award is approved, the Commander or his/her designee may print out the Citizen’s Certificate of Appreciation (located on the MPD website), sign and date it, and present it to the citizen or community. 

Citizen Appreciation Awards are handled by the Precinct or Division.

Policy

The Citizen’s Award of Valor may be awarded to citizens for exemplary and heroic acts that expose them to considerable danger.

Any MPD Employee may submit a recommendation for a citizen for the Citizen’s Award of Valor to their Precinct or Division Commander. If the Commander approves the Citizen’s Award of Valor, the recommendation shall be forwarded to Police Administration for review. If approved, they will order the award for the Chief to present. 

• Crisis: An event or situation where a person's safety and health may be threatened by behavioral health challenges, to include mental health conditions, intellectual or developmental disabilities, substance use, or overwhelming stressors. A crisis can involve a person's perception or experience of an event or situation as an intolerable difficulty that exceeds the person's current resources and coping mechanisms and may include unusual stress in their life that renders the person unable to function as they normally would.
• De-escalation: Techniques and tactics to reduce the intensity of a situation. These strategies serve to increase the likelihood of voluntary compliance, minimize the need to use force, and uphold the sanctity of life by enabling members to resolve situations without the use of force or with the lowest degree of force necessary. (P&P 7-802)
• Investigation: A structured process of gathering, examining, and evaluating facts and evidence to determine what occurred, assess compliance with laws and policies, and support appropriate actions or decisions.