The Gastonia Police Department recognizes its employees for an act or acts performed intelligently and in the line of duty. Nominations are submitted to the Awards Committee and award winners are recognized annually. The following awards are outlined in the order of precedence and criteria for selection.
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest form of recognition awarded to a member of the GPD. The Medal of Honor may be awarded to any sworn member(s) of the department who intelligently and in the line of duty distinguishes him/herself by the performance of an act or acts of extraordinary heroism, above and beyond the call of duty, while engaged in personal confrontation with an armed adversary, at imminent personal hazard to life. Award type: medal, breast bar, and certificate.
Medal for Valor
The Medal for Valor is the second highest form of recognition awarded to a member of the GPD. The Medal for Valor may be awarded to a sworn member(s) of the department in the line of duty, distinguishes him/herself by the performance of an act or acts of gallantry and bravery, at imminent personal hazard to life, with full knowledge of the risk involved. Award type: medal, breast bar with “V” attachment, and certificate.
Police Star for Gallantry
The Gallantry Star is the third highest form of recognition awarded to a member of the GPD. The Gallantry Star may be awarded to a sworn member(s) of the department who intelligently and in the line of duty, distinguishes him/herself by the performance of an act or acts of gallantry where a degree of danger to life existed but was not sufficient to warrant the Medal of Valor. Award type: medal, breast bar, and certificate.
Medal for Merit (Mayor’s Award)
The Medal for Merit is the fourth highest form of recognition that may be awarded to a member of the GPD. The Medal for Merit may be awarded to a member(s) of the department for a highly unusual accomplishment, under adverse condition, where some hazard to the nominee existed or where death or serious injury to another party is prevented. Award type: medal, breast bar, certificate.
Police Medal (Legion of Honor)
The Police Medal is the fifth highest form of recognition awarded to sworn member(s) of the department. The Police Medal may be awarded to all members of the department for permanent injuries sustained in the line of duty from arrest, gunshot, knife wounds and traffic accidents, or for hospitalization for work related heart condition, etc., thereby, preventing an officer from further serving in an active role for a period of three (3) months or longer. Award type: medal, breast bar, and certificate.
Purple Heart (Work Related Injury)
The Purple Heart is the sixth highest form of recognition awarded to a member(s) of the department. The Purple Heart may be awarded to sworn member(s) of the department for wounds received in the line of duty, inflicted intentionally in a confrontation with an adversary, resulting in severe lacerations, puncture wounds, fractures or concussion, etc., being suffered by the nominee. Award type: medal, breast bar, and certificate.
Lifesaving Medal
The Lifesaving Medal is the seventh highest form of recognition awarded to members of the department. The Lifesaving Medal may be awarded to any employee of the department for an act performed which through Prompt and alert action, a life was saved. Award type: medal, breast bar, and certificate.
Officer of the Year Award
Awarded to past and present employees who are chosen as Outstanding Officer of the Year. Officer of the year should be chosen from a field of Officer of the Month from both plainclothes and uniform divisions. Award type: breast bar, and certificate.
Exceptional Duty Award
The Exceptional Duty Medal is the eighth highest form of recognition awarded to members of the department. The Exceptional Duty Medal may be awarded to any employee of the department for a highly creditable accomplishment, bringing public acclaim to him/herself, the department, or the police profession as a result of training, devotion to duty, or service to the public. Award type: breast bat, and certificate.
Chief’s Achievement Award
The Chief’s Achievement Award is the ninth highest form of recognition awarded to the members of the department. The Chief’s Achievement Award is presented on behalf of the Chief of Police to an employee for an outstanding contribution to the police department through the planning, development and implementation of programs, which in some manner improves the performance, or morale of the department. Award type: breast bar and certificate.
Unit Meritorious Service Award
Any member civilian or sworn who has exhibited exceptional professional skill and conduct and who has demonstrated dynamic service worthy of recognition within their field of expertise or in action of service. Award type: breast bar, and certificate.
Military Service Award
Any member civilian or sworn who has served and was honorably discharged from the US. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard or National Guard or is currently active and in good standing in said services. Award type: breast bar, and certificate.
Leadership Award
This award is granted to sworn officers and civilians who have exhibited exemplary service and dynamic leadership in law enforcement that have proved to go above and beyond their normal daily duties to include successful completion of advanced leadership schools. Award type: breast bar, and certificate.
Distinguishing Service Award
Awarded to an employee of the GPD to recognize him/her for at least ten (10) years of service upon the employee leaving the department due to retirement, poor health, or to seek other job opportunities. Type of award: medal.
Special Situations Award
The Special Situations award is awarded to all sworn and civilian members who are currently or have been active in a special operations unit within the Gastonia Police Department and have served 5 years or more of commendable service in SWAT, Bomb Squad, Hostage Negotiators Team, or the Dive Team. Award type: Breast bar, and certificate.
Special Service Award
Any Sworn member who has served a commendable term of two years service as an Honor Guard, Police Training Officer, Police Recruiter, Shift Tactical Officer, Mobile Field Force, or as Mobile Command personnel. Award type: breast bar, and certificate.
Educational Achievement Awards
The educational Achievement Awards shall be presented to employees after meeting the following criteria for award: Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate, Possess an Associate’s Degree in a Criminal Justice or related field, Possess a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts Degree in a Criminal Justice or related field, Possess a Masters Degree in a Criminal Justice or related field. Award type: Breast bar with appurtenances.
Intermediate/Advanced Certificate
A combination of educational points or degrees, law enforcement training points and years of full-time law enforcement experience as set by the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.