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Newport News Police Department
III. COMMENDATIONS, RECOGNITION & AWARDS
A. Commendations
1. Commendation Letters
a. A commendation letter recognizes employees (full-time and part-time) and volunteers for
exceptional performance in a single act or event.
b. Letters of commendation are issued by the Office of the Chief of Police at any time. Letters may
be issued upon recommendation of the Awards Committee, the employee/volunteer’s chain of
command, an outside agency or a community member.
c. The Office of the Chief of Police can issue any number of commendation letters in any given year.
2. Department Commendations
A department commendation recognizes individual employees or a unit that, in the performance of
their duties, achieves any of the following:
a. Takes impactful actions during a single act or event that demonstrate professionalism and
excellence in law enforcement when faced with significant challenges and unusual circumstances.
b. Takes specific actions that, through targeted efforts, reduce crime or other public safety hazards
in the community.
c. Identifies a specific problem in the community or department and implements specific strategies
to address it.
d. Throughout the year, exceptional performance demonstrates a dedication to the department that
merits recognition.
B. Recognitions
During the annual awards ceremonies, employees may receive recognition for the following:
1. 25-Years of Service
Employees who achieve their 25th year of service to the department are recognized at the awards
ceremony following their anniversary.
2. Outside Awards & Achievements
Employees who receive significant awards or those recognized for significant achievements by an
organization (civic, professional, etc.) may request that their award be recognized at the awards
ceremony following the award’s presentation. This request is submitted to the Office of the Chief of
Police.
C. Awards
1. Medal of Valor
a. A Medal of Valor recognizes sworn officers who perform heroic actions during a single event
under dangerous or life-threatening circumstances. The following conditions are required to
merit this award:
1) The officer’s actions were sound and appropriate, given known information.
2) The circumstances of the event were such that the officer’s heroic actions were likely to result
in death or serious injury.
b. A Medal of Valor is awarded to individuals at the department awards ceremony.
2. Purple Heart
a. A Purple Heart award is presented to any employee killed or seriously injured during a law
enforcement action in the line of duty. The following conditions are required to merit this award:
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