Awards for Meritorious Service

The following departmental awards are hereby established and will be presented to those Department members or citizens in accordance with the criteria established for each award.

Police Medal of Honor

To be awarded to any officer who has been killed in the line of duty, or at the risk of such officer's own life, displays extreme courage, bravery, and devotion to duty in exposing oneself to grave danger in the face of a seemingly hopeless situation notwithstanding the officer's own imminent peril. The Police Medal of Honor recipient must have demonstrated that there was a conscious awareness of the imminent threat to physical safety at the time the action was performed.

Police Medal of Valor

To be awarded to any officer who distinguishes oneself by conspicuous bravery in the performance of such officers sworn duties under unusual, complicated, or hazardous conditions where the officer used excellent judgment in accomplishing an assigned mission, including sustaining human life.

William P Poelle Police Life Saving Award

To be awarded to any officer who performs an exceptional act under emergency conditions, not involving bravery, wherein a service is rendered that results directly in sustaining a human life.

Hazardous Duty Award

To be awarded to any officer who receives a serious wound or injury or performs an exemplary act under unusual, hazardous or complicated conditions where the officer used good or sound judgment in accordance with the high standards of the San Jose Police Department.

Outstanding Police Duty Award

To be awarded to members of the Department for outstanding police service accomplishments in the following categories:

• Any officer for an outstanding arrest on or off duty
• Any member for an outstanding arrest or solution of crime through follow-up investigation

Richard Huerta Special Merit Award

Any officer for performing other specially meritorious police work not covered in the above categories, such as:

• Professional Conduct and Ethics
• Community service work
• Outside volunteer services
• Day-to-day excellence
• Any non-sworn employee for consistently performing specially meritorious work

Ross Donald Good Citizen Award

To be awarded to any citizen substantially assisting the San Jose Police Department in the apprehension of a suspect or in any other emergency or situation in which the citizen contributed in an extraordinary manner to the Police Department. The award may take the form of a letter, certificate, or any other special commendation as determined by the Awards Board.

Simpson-Silva Citizens Award

To be awarded to any citizen who distinguishes himself or herself by bravery while assisting a police officer and/or another member of this community; or who performs an act under emergency conditions, wherein a service is rendered that results directly in sustaining a human life. The award will be in the form of a plaque.