Provided 6-17-16 1516 RTKL 0181 PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT Office of School Safety Directive #15 June 2015 SUBJECT: COMMENDATIONS I. POLICY A. School Police personnel will be given official recognition for the outstanding performance of their duties. Recommendations of recognition will be made by each respective supervisor. All commendation requests, whether approved or disapproved by any superior in the pertinent chain of command, must be submitted on a memorandum to the Chief Safety Executive. B. Official commendations are awarded to deserving personnel in recognition of and appreciation for outstanding acts of public service and performance. C. These awards are not to be construed as automatic citations, but shall be awarded after a thorough evaluation of each request. Only one form of recognition shall be granted for each individual act. D. Only sworn personnel shall be awarded ribbon bars for display on their uniform. E. Any officer receiving an official commendation will have a copy of his/her commendation placed in his/her personnel file. II. OFFICIAL COMMENDATIONS A. Medal of Honor 1. The School Police Medal of Honor may be awarded to the family of a fallen officer whose death results from actions judged by the Chief Safety Executive to be of such commendatory and exemplary nature epitomizing the honorable history of the Philadelphia School Police Organization. B. Commendation for Bravery 1. For the performance of an outstanding arrest where the officer’s effort is met by an armed and dangerous adversary. 2. This commendation is presented by the Chief Safety Executive in the form of a red ribbon bar and a certificate. 1 - 15 C. Commendation for Heroism 1. For an act of courage without regard to personal safety, which places the officer in imminent physical danger in his/her efforts to affect a rescue or save a life. 2. The commendation of heroism is represented in the form of a green ribbon bar and a certificate. D. Commendation for Merit 1. For highly intelligent and valuable act of police service, which demonstrates special initiative and perseverance in the performance of police duties. 2. The Commendation of Merit is represented in the form of a blue ribbon bar and a certificate. E. Commendatory Letter 1. For outstanding effort and dedication to the mission of safe schools and community. 2. The Commendatory Letter is represented in the form of a blue/gold ribbon and a letter certificate. F. Distinguished Unit Certificate 1. For an outstanding accomplishment which is the result of teamwork rather than that of an individual(s). This presentation will be awarded by the pertinent Commander. 2. The Unit Citation is represented in the form of a certificate to be displayed at the location of assignment. Separate awards will not be issued to individual officers or civilians for this type of recognition. III. PREPARATION A. Pertinent Commanders will submit to the Chief Safety Executive a separate memorandum for each case where a commendation is requested. 1. A copy of the request will be filed and maintained by the pertinent Commander. 2. Requests will be made as soon as possible after the incident occurs. Submission of a request will not exceed 45 days after the commendatory action has taken place. 3. Ensure a copy of any pertinent school district/police report(s) is attached to any request. 4. Pertinent Commanders will ensure that commendation requests are complete and accurate, with special attention given to correct spelling of names, badge numbers and locations. 2 - 15 5. All requests for commendation will include recommendations by all respective supervisors regarding approval or disapproval and the level of commendation recommended, i.e. Merit, Bravery, etc. *Note: Even if a commendation is disapproved it must be forwarded to the highest level of review. A commendation, that has been approved or disapproved, may be overturned through the chain of command. 6. Civilian heads of departments may submit commendation requests for personnel under their direct supervision through the pertinent Divisional Commander, if the service rendered falls under the guidelines prescribed in Section II. IV. Distribution for Review and Evaluation A. Requests for commendations of Bravery or Heroism will be received, evaluated, and forwarded to the Awards Board Committee through the pertinent Commander. B. Request for the Commendation of Merit, Commendatory Letter and the distinguish Unit Citation will be received and evaluated through the normal chain of command to the Chief Safety Executive. C. The Awards Board Committee will have access to complete files on all cases under review, and will determine the level of commendation to be granted. Completed Requests will be forwarded to the Chief Safety Executive. V. Awards Board Committee The Awards Board Committee will consist of the Executive Command Staff VI. Citizen’s Complimentary Letters A. A copy of any complimentary letter received from a citizen will be forwarded to the officer’s personnel file. B. The original letter will be forwarded to the officer being complimented. C. The pertinent Commander will acknowledge the Complimentary Letter. 3 - 15 VII. Civilian Commendations When a civilian renders valuable or courageous assistance to any member of the Philadelphia School Police Department, particularly in cases in which a person commits a crime is seized and detained until the arrival of the police, the pertinent Commander of the area in which such assistance is rendered will submit a detail report of such facts to the Chief Safety Executive, Office of School Safety. VIII. Awards and Rewards No award or reward will be solicited or accepted for any department-related activity by any member of the department without the written approval of the Chief Safety Executive. 06-27-04 Revised 07-12-06 JUNE 2015 BY ORDER OF THE Chief Safety Executive OFFICE of SCHOOL SAFETY 4 - 15 MEMORANDUM SCHOOL POLICE OPERATIONS DATE: To: Chief Safety Executive From: Michael F. Whalen Director of Operations Subject: REQUEST FOR COMMENDATION 1. Request is hereby made that the appropriate form of recognition be granted to the following officer for his action taken on the following date: Rank Name Badge # Assignment 2. No other award has been requested and/or received as a result of this police action. 3. Other participating officers. ________________________________________________________________________ Rank Name Badge # Unit 4. A copy of the 75-49 is attached. 5. The facts of this case that make it a commendable action are: On Sunday 1-17—87 at 2:15pm P/O Smith #0000 while assigned to Patrol/ School observed (3) males burglarizing the property located at 1xxx West Hunting Park Avenue. After informing School Police Dispatcher of the incident, the officer was able to apprehend three (3) of the males himself, while providing police with the route of the fourth male, who in turn was apprehended by other officers responding to the assignment. 6. The defendants, James xxx ,13 B/M, 10xx Smith Avenue, John xxxxx, 13 W/M, xxxx South 30th Street, Mark xxxx 12 H/M, xxx Ridge St. were all arrested and charged with attempt Burglary and Criminal Conspiracy. Michael F. Whalen BY ORDER OF THE Chief Safety Executive OFFICE of SCHOOL SAFETY 5 - 15