POLICY Security Classification OFFICIAL Disclosable under Freedom of Information Act 2000 Yes POLICY TITLE Awards Policy POLICY REFERENCE NUMBER A112 Version 1.0 POLICY OWNERSHIP DIRECTORATE BUSINESS AREA ENABLING SERVICES BUSINESS SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION DATE February 2016 NEXT REVIEW DATE: February 2019 RISK RATING LOW EQUALITY ANALYSIS LOW Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police welcome comments and suggestions from the public and staff about the contents and implementation of this policy. Please e-mail contactus@westmercia.pnn.police.uk OFFICIAL 1
POLICY OUTLINE OFFICIAL It is very important to recognise officers, staff, volunteers and members of the public when they complete work or actions of an outstanding nature. There are different approaches in Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police, however, for some the structure and criteria have been harmonised across the alliance. 1. PURPOSE OF POLICY Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police will recognise work or actions of an outstanding nature completed by any officer, member of police staff, special constable, police community support officer, volunteer, young good citizen, cadet, partner and member of the public by awarding suitable commendations. The awards will be given on a Force or geographical basis. It will be deemed irrelevant which Force / organisation the staff member or individual works for but based wholly on the Chief Constable s policing area. Each Chief Constable has retained their right to hold bespoke awards ceremonies with their own local awards or those of historical significance (e.g High Sheriff Awards, Lord Lieutenant Awards and local community awards) and oversight of these will remain local to each Force Staff Office. This policy does not detail the running, organising, catering provision or administration of an awards ceremony. The procedures for this are available as detailed below. 2. AWARDS The below awards are the agreed awards and processes to be harmonised across the alliance. Each Chief Constable retains the right and independence to hold their own awards ceremonies, the content and format of each to be determined separately. 2.1 CHIEF CONSTABLES COMMENDATION The Chief Constable s Commendation is awarded personally by the Chief Constable to Police Officers, Police Staff, members of the Special Constabulary and PCSOs, for outstanding and meritorious police work or distinctive service in aid of police work with actions which do not merit recognition by one of the approved societies e.g. Royal Humane, Protection of Life from Fire (see 2.4 and 2.5 below.) To qualify for a commendation the work must be outstanding compared with the performance that would normally be expected in the particular circumstances. The nomination will be considered following recommendation by a Superintendent or above for outstanding courage, outstanding bravery, very serious or complex investigations requiring outstanding investigative skills or any other meritorious actions the Chief Constable considers worthy of recognition. This should be submitted to the staff office. The decision as to who will receive this award will be made by the Chief Constable within whose Force the incident being recognised took place. Each Force will award Chief Constable s commendations separately at an appropriate ceremony decided by each Chief Constable. OFFICIAL 2
For the nomination form please go to Force Forms. Each Chief Constable retains the right to continue local awards of historical significance or relevance to their Force areas as appropriate. 2.2 CHIEF SUPERINTENDENTS/SUPERINTENDENTS/DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENDATIONS The Chief Superintendents /Superintendents /Department Head Commendation is awarded personally for outstanding and meritorious work which does not merit either a Chief Constable s Commendation or recognition by one of the approved societies e.g. Royal Humane, Protection of Life from Fire. These are awarded for courage, bravery, complex and protracted investigations where significant skill has been demonstrated, or any other actions exceeding the scope of the recipient s role or that which would normally be expected in the particular circumstances. The decision as to who will receive this commendation will be made by the relevant Chief Superintendent, Local Policing Area Superintendent or Department Lead. These awards along with others listed below (items 2.4 2.6) will be presented at a local awards ceremony organised by the relevant department/local policing area at a suitable venue in that area. For the nomination form please go to Force Forms. Completed nominations should be submitted to the secretaries within the policing areas/departments. Note that long service and good conduct recognition will continue alongside commendations in line with established national and local guidelines. 2.3 HM JUDGES, CORONERS AND MAGISTRATES COMMENDATIONS When a commendation is given by one of the HM Judges, HM Coroners or Magistrates a report should be submitted to the Staff Office for recognition by the Chief Officer team and for internal publication. 2.4 ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY The Royal Humane Society is a charity that grants awards for acts of bravery in the saving of human life and, also, for the restoration of life by resuscitation. Awards may be granted to those who have put their own lives at risk to save or attempt to save someone else. The Police Medal The Police Medal was introduced in 2000 to honour the most outstanding acts of heroism by a police officer during the preceding year. Silver Medal The Silver Medal has been awarded to people who have put themselves in extreme personal danger; carried out a very long and arduous rescue; returned repeatedly to a OFFICIAL 3
highly dangerous situation. It is the highest honour that the Society can bestow. This is accompanied by a certificate signed by the Society's President, HRH Princess Alexandra. Bronze Medal It is awarded to people who have put their own lives at great risk to save or attempt to save someone else. It is accompanied by a certificate signed by the Society's President, HRH Princess Alexandra. Testimonial on Vellum The Testimonial on Vellum is awarded where someone has put themselves in considerable danger to save, or attempt to save, someone else. Each one is signed by the Society's President, HRH Princess Alexandra. In Memoriam Testimonials An In Memoriam Testimonial is awarded where someone has lost their own life in the attempt to save someone else. These are rare events but each year we do make a number of posthumous awards. Where possible, the Testimonial is presented to the next-of-kin. Testimonial on Parchment The Testimonial on Parchment is awarded where someone has put themselves in danger to save, or attempt to save, someone else. Many of the awards go to people who have had to swim to the rescue of someone else - in a quarry, a lake, a river or at sea. Certificate of Commendation For consideration for a Certificate of Commendation, the nominee(s) must have made a significant contribution to the saving or attempted saving of a life, though their own life was not necessarily at risk. Resuscitation Certificate This Certificate is awarded to people who have effected a successful resuscitation of someone, who was at one stage 'seemingly dead', through mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (MMR) and/or heart-and-lung massage (CPR).This award is not given to medically trained medical staff (i.e. doctors, nurses, paramedics) or in cases where resuscitation fails. There is no requirement for the life-saver to be in any kind of danger to be eligible for this award. Application forms can be obtained from: www.royalhumanesociety.org.uk The RHS awards will be coordinated by the relevant Staff Office and nominations should be made through them as a Force point of contact. 2.5 SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF LIFE FROM FIRE The award presented by the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire is given to individuals who have shown courage and bravery on attendance at a fire. Protection of Life from Fire nominations will be managed by the Staff Office so all nominations must go through them as Force points of contact. Application forms can be obtained from: www.splf.org.uk OFFICIAL 4
2.6 LIFE SAVING MEDAL OFFICIAL The Order of St. John is a life saving medal bestowed on those who in a conspicuous act of gallantry have endangered their own life in saving, or attempting to save life. There are three levels Gold, Silver or Bronze determined in each case by the Grand Prior on the recommendation of a Priory Chapter. Nominees for the award do not have to be members of the Order, or of St. John Ambulance. Persons being recommended for the award must have placed their life in danger and the degree of danger is reflected in the award of the gold, silver or bronze medal. The Order of St John s Life Saving Medal will be coordinated through the Staff Office so all nominations must go through them as Force points of contacts. Application forms can be obtained from: www.splf.org.ukwww.sja.org.uk 2.7 POLICE BRAVERY AWARD The award is presented nationally by the Police Federation in conjunction with The Sun Newspaper. It is given for the most outstanding act of courage or bravery by a member of the Police Service in England and Wales; when placing themselves at risk of death or serious injury for which a medal, commendation or other recognition was made during the calendar year under consideration. Posthumous Awards can be made for any of the cases outlined above 2.8 YOUNG GOOD CITIZEN The Young Good Citizen Awards will continue in West Mercia but will be incorporated in the West Mercia Awards Evening run by the Chief Constable and PCC. The local arrangements will remain the same. 2.9 LOCAL POLICING/DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS These are held either once or twice a year depending on the number of nominations and are organised locally. (These awards include the Protective Services Commendation Awards, Operational Support Awards, Force Operations Commendation Awards and the Enabling Services Awards). Awards presented may include many of those listed above at 2.1 2.6. These ceremonies are attended by the relevant Superintendent/Departmental Lead, the Chief Constable (for any Chief Constable s Commendations), PCC representatives and other dignitaries (dependant on the awards being presented). The procedures for organising these events are available from the secretaries of the local policing areas or departments. OFFICIAL 5
OTHER FORCE AWARDS (NOT HARMONISED) 3.0 CHIEF CONSTABLE S AWARDS CEREMONY (Warwickshire) This event is held twice annually and is attended by the Chief Constable, Chief Officers, the Police and Crime Commissioner and the High Sheriff. It marks the long and meritorious service of Police Officers, members of the Special Constabulary and Police Staff. Police Officers are awarded with a medal for 20 years service and Police Staff with a certificate signed by the Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner. Special Constables are recognised with a medal awarded for 9 years service and a bar and rosette for 19 years and 29 years service. Chief Constables Commendations, Royal Humane Society Awards, Neighbourhood Watch Awards, Special Constable of the Year and Student Officer of the Year are also presented at this ceremony. The Lord Lieutenant from Warwickshire attends to present medals and certificates. This ceremony is administered via the Staff Office. Procedures for organising these events are available from the staff office. 3.2 LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT AWARDS CEREMONY (West Mercia) This event is held annually or biannually depending on the number of invited attendees and is attended by the Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner which marks the long and meritorious service of Police Officers, Specials and Police Staff. A Lord Lieutenant from either, Shropshire, Worcestershire or Herefordshire (agreed on a rotation basis) attends the ceremony to present medals/certificates. Police Officers are awarded with a medal for 20 years service and Police Staff with a certificate signed by the Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner. For Specials a medal is awarded for 9 years service and a bar and rosette for 19 years and 29 years service. This ceremony is administered via the Staff Office. Procedures for organising this event are available from the staff office. 3.3 RECOGNITION OF SERVICE Both Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police recognise length of service upon leaving which includes retirement and redundancy or leaving on medical grounds. Within Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police an appointment with the Chief Constable is offered to staff, officers or specials that have completed 20 years service (a photographer is arranged to attend these appointments within West Mercia) West Mercia staff or specials, who have completed 25 years service, are presented with a certificate of service and commemorative bowl. Warwickshire officers, staff or specials who have completed 25 years service will receive a certificate of service and commemorative Warwickshire bear. The above are presented by the Chief Constable of the relevant force. OFFICIAL 6
3.4 WEST MERCIA AWARDS OFFICIAL This is an annual event which recognises exceptional Police Officers, Police Staff, Police Community Support Officers, Special Constables, cadets, young good citizens, community groups and individual volunteers from across the Force who have excelled in their neighbourhoods or place of work. The Young Good Citizen Awards is part of this Awards ceremony run by the Chief Constable and PCC and attended by the Lord Lieutenants of Shropshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire and High Sheriffs. This ceremony is administered via the Staff Office for the Chief Constable and PCC. Procedures for organising this event are available from the PCC s office. A nomination form is available in Force Forms. HEREFORDSHIRE ONLY AWARDS 3.5 THE HIGH SHERIFF S AWARD - HEREFORD This award is presented at the local Herefordshire policing area ceremony. It is presented to staff and civilian members of the community who have been recognised for their commitment, performance and dedication beyond what would normally be expected. Particular consideration is given towards those that have given service to the public and those that are committed to working with the community. 3.6 THE SIR JOHN FOLEY TROPHY AWARD - HEREFORD This is awarded annually at the September local Herefordshire policing area ceremony. The Sir John Foley Trophy Award was personally donated by Sir John Foley to the Herefordshire local policing area in recognition of service by Special Constables over and above what is expected. Originally presented by Sir John in 2008 it is a coveted award by Herefordshire s Special Constables. 3.7 SPECIAL CONSTABLE PROBATIONER OF THE YEAR AWARD - HEREFORD This is awarded annually at the September local Herefordshire policing area ceremony for outstanding performance of a Special Constable Probationer. 4.0 PROCEDURE FOR AWARDS NOMINATION A person can be nominated for an award by any colleague who will need to complete the awards nomination form available in Force Forms. This form will then need to be submitted to the local Chief Superintendent/Superintendent or Department Lead to make an initial assessment. The Chief Superintendent/Superintendent /Department lead will act as a gatekeeper to review the submission and make a decision as follows: OFFICIAL 7
The submission is not suitable for an award form to be returned to line manager of person nominated (if internal) or letter of thanks sent if external. The submission is suitable for a local policing area/department s commendation recipient to be invited to the next available Local Awards Evening. The submission may be suitable for Chief Constable s Commendation form to be referred to the staff officer in the relevant Force for review by Chief Constable. The submission may be suitable for another award in the categories above. The form will then be submitted to the Staff Office who will act as the Force contact with the respective societies. This is summarised in the flow-chart below: Standard Citation Form Completed Submission to Chief Superintendent/Superintende nt or Department Head for assessment (gatekeeper) If deemed suitable for local awards, to remain with Chief Superintendent/ Superintendent/Department Head If appropriate, gatekeeper submits to staff office for consideration of Chief Constable s Commendation 5.0 IMPLICATIONS OF THE POLICY Attendees will be expected to attend in their own time if invited. No remuneration or payment will be made for those not on duty. Suitable adjustments may be considered by line managers if their member of staff has been nominated but will be on duty and annual leave / time off is not appropriate. All commendations awarded to officers, staff and volunteers will be recorded on the HR record for each individual. This will be stored on the ORIGIN database. No restricted information will be included on award citations and steps will be taken to ensure that the awards are offered after the conclusion of any criminal investigations. Risks / Health and Safety considerations; There are no identifiable risks or Health and Safety consideration. Human Rights / Equality / Data Protection / Freedom of Information; All members of the workforce, partners and members of the public will be eligible to be considered for a commendation at the appropriate level. Publicity will only be organised with the consent of the individual who has been awarded. There will be considerations OFFICIAL 8
regarding the issuing of awards whilst matters are still under investigation to ensure it does not prejudice the right to a fair trial. Legal considerations; There are no legal considerations to consider. Financial Implications; There are no immediate financial implications. 6.0 CONSULTATION Consultation is requested with BME group, IAG s, Staff Associations, Unison, Police Federation, PSAEW. 7.0 DOCUMENT HISTORY The history and rationale for change to policy will be recorded using the below chart: Date Author / Amendment(s) Approval / Reviewer & Rationale Adoption 24/11/15 Catherine Allsopp Harmonisation JNCC 27/01/2016 OFFICIAL 9