Policy: Awards & Recognition
Author: Chief Joseph M. Hallman
WILEAG Standard: N/A
Issue Date: October 20, 2016
Reviewed Date: April 21, 2026
Revised Date: April 21, 2026
Purpose:
University of Wisconsin Platteville Police Department (UWPPD) Officers routinely perform their job tasks in a proficient and acceptable manner. There can be times however, in which a UWPPD Officer may go above and beyond what is normally expected for the services we provide. Therefore, it is a customary practice to recognize these efforts through an awards process described herein.
Policy:
The UWPPD will take affirmative steps to recognize the exceptional performance of members of this department. A professional police agency continually seeks out opportunities to recognize and commend the correct actions of members. In this way, proper principals are reinforced, job satisfaction is enhanced and in theory the necessity for corrective action is reduced. Citizens, students, faculty or staff wishing to commend the action(s) of UWPPD Officers should have the opportunity to do so. More importantly however, members of UWPPD should be recognized when this occurs through a formal process of evaluation and recognition of their behavior as it supports our mission, values and performance standards of UWPPD.
Definitions:
- Award Criteria- a broad category of behavior and accomplishments worthy of official recognition established through formalized procedures. Recommendations for awards need to be specific as to the award and behaviors supporting the award.
- Certificate of Appreciation / Recognition- awarded to any member of UWPPD for action, performance or conduct that is noteworthy and consistent with the standards of conduct of this agency.
- Commendation- awarded to any member of UWPPD who has distinguished themselves in a manner that brings credit to the entire department through either exemplary performance of duty or through other accomplishments including but not limited to, participation in a noteworthy community project or event, undertaking work or projects well above normal expectations and benefiting the department, local, regional, state or federal recognition associated with a particular professional accomplishment or expert status or a felony arrest following a particularly challenging or difficult investigation.
- Life Saving Medal & Ribbon- awarded to a UWPPD member for an act that was instrumental in the saving of a human life.
- Medal of Honor / Valor & Ribbon- awarded to a UWPPD member upon recommendation of the Chief by the Chancellor for action(s) that bring great credit to the department and the university as demonstrated through bravery, heroism, conviction or courage in a situation where their own life and safety was placed at risk in the furtherance of the police mission.
- Purple Heart Medal & Ribbon- awarded to an officer who has been seriously injured or killed in the performance of an act intended to further the police mission.
Procedures:
- Any individual wishing to commend the performance of any member of UWPPD shall complete a memorandum to the Chief as part of a formal record of the identified member’s action(s). Any other supporting documentation will be acceptable for inclusion as part of this record. The Chief shall evaluate these documents to ascertain whether or not criteria is met within a given award or recognition category. A thorough follow up investigation will be conducted by the Chief or their designee.
- All awards shall be documented with an official letter or copy to be placed within the member’s personnel file.
- Uniformed members of UWPPD may display any / all award ribbons earned on their uniform above the name plate. Medals may be displayed whenever the uniform is worn for a function other than normal duty (e.g.) parades, graduations, special events.
- Citizen’s Awards: Any UWPPD member may recommend a citizen, student, staff or faculty member for any of the above-mentioned awards as long as criteria is satisfied. These awards shall be preceded by the word “citizen” or “student” as in “student’s certificate of appreciation” and will be in certificate form suitable for framing.