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AB 08 Awards and Commendations

Version 2.1 by Ryan Larkin on 2022/03/01 16:46

Washington County Sheriff's Office

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION

Policy Manual

Volume: AB

Staff Management

Chapter: 08

Awards and Commendations

Replaces and/or Supersedes:

AB 08 05/28/2009

Published:

09/05/2013

Review Date:

03/01/2022

Sheriff Nate Brooksby

Undersheriff Barry Golding

TABLE OF CONTENTS

AB 08_101  Definitions

AB 08_102  General

AB 08_103  Awards Schedule

AB 08_104  Presentation Of Awards

AB 08_105  Recognition

AB 08_106  Letter of Commendation

AB 08_107  Employee of the Quarter

AB 08_108  Civilian of the Year

AB 08_109  Corrections Deputy of the Year

AB 08_110  Patrol Deputy of the Year

AB 08_111  Corrections Supervisor of the Year

AB 08_112  Patrol Supervisor of the Year

AB 08_113  Life Saving

AB 08_114  Medal of Merit

AB 08_115  Medal of Valor

AB 08_116  Purple Heart

AB 08_117  Sheriff's Star

AB 08_101  DEFINITIONS

  1. WCSO:  Washington County Sheriff's Office
  2. PCF:  Purgatory Correctional Facility

AB 08_102  GENERAL

  1. Policy:
    1. Employees should be recognized for exceeding the high standards of the WCSO.
    2. Employee awards include:
      1. Employee of the Quarter;
      2. Civilian of the Year;
      3. Corrections Deputy of the Year;
      4. Patrol Deputy of the Year;
      5. Corrections Supervisor of the Year;
      6. Patrol Supervisor of the Year;
      7. Letter of Commendation;
      8. Life Saving;
      9. Medal of Merit;
      10. Medal of Valor;
      11. Recognition;
      12. Purple Heart;
      13. Sheriff's Star.
    3. When applicable, non-certified employees should receive a gift of equal monetary value in lieu of a uniform medal and uniform pin.
  2. Rationale:
    1. Recognizing employee accomplishments increases morale and motivation.

AB 08_103  AWARDS SCHEDULE

  1. The awards schedule should be consistent with the calendar year.
  2. For quarterly awards:
    1. First quarter = January 1st thru March 31st;
    2. Second quarter = April 1st thru June 30th;
    3. Third quarter = July 1st thru October 30th;
    4. Fourth quarter = November 1st thru December 31st.

AB 08_104  PRESENTATION OF AWARDS

  1. Awards shall be presented as determined by the Sheriff.
  2. Life Saving, Medal of Valor, and Purple Heart awards should be recognized as soon as possible after the event of recognition.
  3. Quarterly awards should be presented during the month immediately following the quarter being recognized.
  4. Non-quarterly awards (excluding Life Saving, Medal of Valor, and Purple Heart) should be presented at the following annual Awards Banquet in December.

AB 08_105  RECOGNITION

  1. May be used for any low-level accomplishment.
  2. Should be drafted informally (not on letterhead).
  3. May be noted by any employee for any employee.
  4. Should be entered into the employee's file.

AB 08_106  LETTER OF COMMENDATION

  1. Should be reserved as a high-level award for significant accomplishments.
  2. Should be drafted formally on WCSO letterhead.
  3. Should be awarded by a chief or higher ranking WCSO official.
  4. Any employee may receive this award.
  5. A copy should be entered into the employee's file.

AB 08_107  EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER

  1. Nominations shall be submitted electronically. A copy shall be entered into the employee's file.
  2. Nominations may be in the form of a specific nomination or a recognition in the employee's file.
  3. Civilians, Corrections Trainees, Office Specialists, Office Generalists, and Deputies may be nominated. Supervisors (office managers, sergeants, and higher-ranking officers) shall not be nominated.
  4. Nominations shall only reference actions during the current award year.
  5. Nominations may be submitted by any employee.
  6. Selection shall be by a majority vote by Administration.

AB 08_108  CIVILIAN OF THE YEAR

  1. Nominations shall be in writing and entered into the employee's file (emails are acceptable).
  2. Nominations may be in the form of a specific nomination or a recognition in the employee's file.
  3. Civilians, Corrections Trainees, Office Specialists, and Office Generalists may be nominated. Only non-certified staff may be nominated. Supervisors (office managers, sergeants, and higher-ranking officers) shall not be nominated.
  4. Nominations shall only reference actions during the current award year.
  5. Nominations for a quarterly award may be counted as nominations for this award.
  6. Nominations may be submitted by any employee.
  7. Selection shall be by a majority vote by Administration.

AB 08_109  CORRECTIONS DEPUTY OF THE YEAR

  1. Nominations shall be in writing and entered into the employee's file (emails are acceptable).
  2. Nominations may be in the form of a specific nomination or a recognition in the employee's file.
  3. Only corrections deputies may be nominated. Supervisors (office managers, sergeants, and higher-ranking officers) shall not be nominated.
  4. Nominations shall only reference actions during the current award year.
  5. Nominations for a quarterly award may be counted as nominations for this award.
  6. Nominations may be submitted by any employee.
  7. Selection shall be by a majority vote by Administration.

AB 08_110  PATROL DEPUTY OF THE YEAR

  1. Nominations shall be in writing and entered into the employee's file (emails are acceptable).
  2. Nominations may be in the form of a specific nomination or a recognition in the employee's file.
  3. Only patrol deputies may be nominated. Supervisors (office managers, sergeants, and higher-ranking officers) shall not be nominated.
  4. Nominations shall only reference actions during the current award year.
  5. Nominations for a quarterly award may be counted as nominations for this award.
  6. Nominations may be submitted by any employee.
  7. Selection shall be by a majority vote by Administration.

AB 08_111  CORRECTIONS SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR

  1. Nominations shall be in writing and entered into the employee's file (emails are acceptable).
  2. Nominations may be in the form of a specific nomination or a recognition in the employee's file.
  3. Only corrections sergeants or office managers may be nominated. Lieutenants and higher-ranking officers shall not be nominated.
  4. Nominations shall only reference actions during the current award year.
  5. Nominations may be submitted by any employee.
  6. Selection shall be by a majority vote by Administration.

AB 08_112  PATROL SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR

  1. Nominations shall be in writing and entered into the employee's file (emails are acceptable).
  2. Nominations may be in the form of a specific nomination or a recognition in the employee's file.
  3. Only patrol sergeants or office managers may be nominated. Lieutenants and higher-ranking officers shall not be nominated.
  4. Nominations shall only reference actions during the current award year.
  5. Nominations may be submitted by any employee.
  6. Selection shall be by a majority vote by Administration.

AB 08_113  LIFE SAVING

  1. This award consists of:
    1. A gold medal, bearing the seal of the State of Utah and the WCSO logo, suspended from a light blue/white/red/white/light blue ribbon (to be worn on the Class-A uniform shirt);
    2. A blue/white/blue commendation pin (to be worn on the Class-B uniform shirt);
    3. A commendation plaque; and
    4. A letter of commendation (a copy should be entered into the employee's file).
  2. This award may be awarded for actions and/or efforts that resulted in, or assisted with, the successful saving of a person's life.
  3. Nominations:
    1. Shall be accompanied by a medical or eye witness statement; and
    2. Shall be entered into the employee's file.
  4. There shall not be a requirement of a finding of bravery, risk of injury, or risk of death to the employee to validate this award.
  5. Recommendations shall be by a majority vote by Administration.
  6. Final selection shall be decided by the Sheriff.

AB 08_114  MEDAL OF MERIT

  1. This award consists of:
    1. A gold medal, bearing the seal of the State of Utah and the WCSO logo, suspended from a green/white ribbon (to be worn on the Class-A uniform shirt);
    2. A green/white/green commendation pin (to be worn on the Class-B uniform shirt);
    3. A commendation plaque; and
    4. A letter of commendation (a copy shall be entered into the employee's file).
  2. This award may be awarded for the performance of assigned responsibilities that contributed to achieving the mission of the WCSO while displaying a pattern of behavior that showed consistent activity above the call of duty. This may include any activity that substantially contributed to the WCSO including, but not limited to, the enhancement of:
    1. Public safety;
    2. Operations; and/or
    3. Budget savings.
  3. Nominations:
    1. Shall be entered into the employee's file; and
    2. Should include specific details; or
    3. Should be accompanied by a witness statement.
  4. Recommendations shall be by a majority vote by Administration.
  5. Final selection shall be decided by the Sheriff.

AB 08_115  MEDAL OF VALOR

  1. This award consists of:
    1. A gold medal, bearing the seal of the State of Utah and the WCSO logo, suspended from a red ribbon (to be worn on the Class-A uniform shirt);
    2. A red with a gold star commendation pin (to be worn on the Class-B uniform shirt);
    3. A commendation plaque; and
    4. A letter of commendation (a copy shall be entered into the employee's file).
  2. This award may be awarded to an employee who in the face of extreme danger, and at the risk of his/her own life, displayed great courage, determination, and devotion above and beyond the call of duty in an attempt to save the life of another person.
  3. Nominations:
    1. Shall be accompanied by a medical or eye witness statement; and
    2. Shall be entered into the employee's file.
  4. Recommendations shall be by a majority vote by Administration.
  5. Final selection shall be decided by the Sheriff.

AB 08_116  PURPLE HEART

  1. This award consists of:
    1. A gold medal, bearing the seal of the State of Utah and the WCSO logo, suspended from a purple ribbon (to be worn on the Class-A uniform shirt);
    2. A purple/white/purple commendation pin (to be worn on the Class-B uniform shirt);
    3. A commendation plaque; and
    4. A letter of commendation (a copy shall be entered into the employee's file).
  2. This award may be awarded to an employee who is injured in the line of duty while attempting to fulfill job responsibilities.
  3. There shall not be a requirement of a finding of bravery, risk of injury, or risk of death to the employee to validate this award.
  4. Nominations:
    1. Shall be entered into the employee's file; and
    2. Should include specific details; or
    3. Should be accompanied by a medical or eye witness statement.
  5. Recommendations shall be by a majority vote by Administration.
  6. Final selection shall be decided by the Sheriff.

AB 08_117  SHERIFF'S STAR

  1. This award consists of:
    1. A gold medal, bearing the seal of the State of Utah and the WCSO logo, suspended from a blue ribbon (to be worn on the Class-A uniform shirt);
    2. A blue commendation pin with a silver star (to be worn on the Class-B uniform shirt);
    3. A commendation plaque; and
    4. A letter of commendation (a copy shall be entered into the employee's file).
  2. This award may be awarded to an employee who, by direct action above and beyond the call of duty:
    1. Performed under conditions which required bravery and/or exposure to some danger; or
    2. Performed an act intended to save the life of another; or
    3. Performed an act to significantly increase the safety of the public; or
    4. Terminated an act or circumstance which would have likely resulted in death, serious bodily injury, or substantial property damage.
  3. Nominations:
    1. Shall be accompanied by a medical or eye witness statement; and
    2. Shall be entered into the employee's file.
  4. Recommendations shall be by a majority vote by Administration.
  5. Final selection shall be decided by the Sheriff.