PBA/SOA AWARD GUIDELINES FOR
CITATIONS AND/OR COMMENDATIONS
(Established by The City of Clifton Police Chief and the PBA/SOA Awards Committee)
Type and Description of Awards
I. Awards for Heroism
Medal of Honor:
This is the highest award given by the Clifton Police Department and recognizes a member
who intelligently, in the line of duty, distinguishes themselves by the performance of an act
of outstanding bravery with the risk of imminent personal danger to his/her life, with the full
knowledge of the risks involved. The uniform ribbon for the Medal of Honor has a green
Combat Cross:
The Combat Cross is awarded for individual acts of heroism at imminent personal hazard
to life in combat with an armed adversary. The uniform ribbon for the Combat Cross is gold,
green, white and blue with a gold star in the center.
II. Award for Injuries Received in the Line of Duty
Wound Medal:
The Wound Medal is awarded for a wound received in the line of duty which was inflicted
intentionally by an armed adversary, resulting in severe puncture wounds, lacerations,
fractures or concussion being suffered by the officer. The uniform ribbon for the Wound
Injured On Duty Certificate:
The I.O.D. Certificate is awarded to an individual who is seriously injured in the
performance of duty under honorable conditions while attempting to apprehend an
individual in a criminal act or during other primary law enforcement functions. The injury
must be of sufficient seriousness as to require professional medical treatment.
III. Meritorious Service Awards
Meritorious Service Medal:
The Meritorious Service Medal is awarded for outstanding arrest of an armed actor during
the commission of a First or Second Degree Crime. The uniform ribbon for the Meritorious
Service Medal is green, white and blue with gold borders between colors.
Exceptional Duty Medal:
The Exceptional Duty Medal is issued for an outstanding arrest or clearance of a First or
Second Degree Crime or for the arrest of a subject armed with a weapon which is readily
accessible, under adverse conditions with some degree of hazard to the nominee or
another individual. The uniform ribbon for the Exceptional Duty Medal is green and white
with a gold center border.
Life Saving Medal:
The Life Saving Medal is awarded for an act performed with disregard for personal safety,
with prompt or alert action which results in the saving of a life or lives. The uniform ribbon
for the Life Saving Medal is red, white and red with gold borders between colors.
IV. Honorable Service Awards
Honorable Service Medal:
The Honorable Service Medal is awarded for exceptionally competent and/or creditable act
demonstrating personal initiative and accomplishment well beyond what is normally
expected. The uniform ribbon for the Honorable Service Medal is red and white with a gold
Chief’s Citation:
The Chief’s Citation is a certificate of merit that will be awarded to an officer or group of
officers who, while displaying outstanding teamwork and Esprit de Corps, performed a
highly creditable act beyond the ordinary course of duty. Recommendations for the Unit
Citation must be made by a Lieutenant or higher and will be decided upon by the
Chief of Police, not the Awards Committee.
Excellent Police Duty Citation:
The Excellent Police Duty Citation is a certificate of merit awarded to a member whose
performance has exhibited exceptional initiative and resourcefulness thus upholding the
finest traditions of the Clifton Police Department.
Letter of Merit:
A Letter of Merit is awarded for performance that is recognizable because of its
professionalism, attention to detail or special effort to accomplish it.
Civilian Merit Awards:
A certificate of recognition will be awarded to any civilian who performs any act of heroism
or service to the community which if performed by a Police Officer would have resulted in
one (1) of the aforementioned awards. This certificate will be presented to the recipient
during the Awards Presentation Program.
V. Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year:
Nominations for Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year shall be in narrative form
and contain documentation to support the selection. Areas of consideration will include, but
not be limited to job performance, dedication to duty, attitude, appearance, reliability, public
service involvement as well as any other areas.
Nominations will be accepted between November 15th and December 6th of each year. A
formal request for nominations will be made prior to the start date by the Chairman of the
Awards Committee.
The uniform ribbon for the Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Medal is red,
white and blue with a gold border between the colors. The year in gold numerals will be
centered in the middle of the ribbon.