Awards and Decorations

Awards for Bravery

Medal of Valor

The medal is awarded by the Board of Police Commissioners and is presented by the Chief of Police in the name of the Department at the annual Medal of Valor awards ceremony. The award consists of a medal, ribbon, and citation. The Medal of Valor was first presented in 1925, and the awards ceremony is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Los Angeles Police Foundation.

Police Medal

The Police Medal is an award for bravery, usually awarded to officers for individual acts of heroism in the line of duty, though not above and beyond the call of duty, as is required for the Medal of Valor.

Police Star

The Police Star is an award for bravery, usually awarded to officers for performing with exceptional judgment and/or utilizing skillful tactics in order to defuse dangerous and stressful situations.

Police Life Saving Medal

The Police Life Saving Medal is an award for bravery, usually awarded to officers for taking action in order to rescue or attempt the rescue of either a fellow officer or any person from imminent danger.

Preservation of Life Medal

The Preservation of Life Medal may be awarded to an officer who has distinguished himself or herself by employing exceptional tactics and exercising sound judgment, beyond the normal demands of duty, to preserve the life of another during a volatile or dangerous encounter while protecting the safety and security of the public and his or her fellow officers.

Awards for Service

Police Distinguished Service Medal

The Police Distinguished Service Medal is the department’s highest award for service and may be awarded to employees who distinguish themselves by performing exceptional service in a duty of great responsibility or of critical importance to law enforcement.

Police Meritorious Service Medal

The Police Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to employees who distinguish themselves by performing exceptional service in a duty of great responsibility or of critical importance to law enforcement, but to a lesser degree than required for the Police Distinguished Service Medal.

Police Meritorious Achievement Medal

The Police Meritorious Achievement Medal is primarily designed for the recognition of civilian employees. The medal is awarded for either sustained, long-term, noteworthy achievement or a single significant, noteworthy achievement in the execution of administrative, clerical, or craft-type duties.

Police Commission Distinguished Service Medal

The Police Commission Distinguished Service Medal is awarded to officers who distinguish themselves by performing exceptional service to the LAPD or by performing in a stressful emergency situation with good judgement and bravery.

Police Commission Integrity Medal

The Police Commission Integrity Medal is awarded to employees who display an act of exemplary integrity, especially when that act requires exceptional character, fortitude, and moral courage in the face of substantial obstacles.

Community Policing Medal

The Community Policing Medal is awarded to personnel who have solved a significant community problem, included the community in the problem solving process, and/or shown a commitment to the LAPD’s Community Policing philosophy.

Human Relations Medal

The Human Relations Medal is awarded to officers who have in their day‑to‑day activities shown great compassion and have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their response to fellow human beings.

Unit Citations

Police Commission Unit Citation

The Police Commission Unit Citation is the department’s highest unit award and may be awarded to an organizational unit of the department for bravery or outstanding service by its members functioning as a team.

Police Meritorious Unit Citation

The Police Meritorious Unit Citation may be awarded to an organizational unit of the department for bravery or outstanding service by its members functioning as a team, but to a lesser degree than required for the Police Commission Unit Citation.

Commendations

Commendation Ribbon

A commendation ribbon will be authorized to wear after a sworn employee has received 40 commendations. Citizen letters, minor and major commendations will be counted towards the ribbon.

Commendation Ribbon (with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)

A commendation ribbon (with Bronze Oak Leaf cluster) will be authorized to wear after a sworn employee has received 80 commendations. Citizen letters, minor and major commendations will be counted towards the ribbon.

Commendation Ribbon (with Silver Star)

A commendation ribbon (with Silver Star) will be authorized to wear after a sworn employee has received 120 commendations. Citizen letters, minor and major commendations will be counted towards the ribbon.

Commendation Ribbon (with Gold Star)

A commendation ribbon (with Gold Star) will be authorized to wear after a sworn employee has received 160 commendations. Citizen letters, minor and major commendations will be counted towards the ribbon.

Service

Patrol Service Ribbon

5 years of service in patrol services as a Police Officer, Sergeant and/or Lieutenant.

Patrol Service Ribbon (with Bronze Oak Leaf cluster)

10 years of service in patrol services as a Police Officer, Sergeant and/or Lieutenant.

Patrol Service Ribbon (with Silver Star)

15 years of service in patrol services as a Police Officer, Sergeant and/or Lieutenant.

Patrol Service Ribbon (with Gold Star)

20 years of service in patrol services as a Police Officer, Sergeant and/or Lieutenant.

Detective Service Ribbon

5 years of service in investigative units as a Detective and/or Lieutenant.

Detective Service Ribbon (with Bronze Oak Leaf cluster)

10 years of service in investigative units as a Detective and/or Lieutenant.

Detective Service Ribbon (with Silver Star)

15 years of service in investigative units as a Detective and/or Lieutenant.

Detective Service Ribbon (with Gold Star)

20 years of service in investigative units as a Detective and/or Lieutenant.

Reserve Service Ribbon

Awarded for 4000 hours of service as a Reserve Police officer.

Events

1984 Summer Olympics Ribbon

Given to any LAPD officer who saw service during the 1984 Summer Olympics from July 28 to August 12, 1984.

1987 Papal Visit Ribbon

Given to any LAPD officer who saw service during the September 1987 pastoral visit of Pope John Paul II.

1992 Civil Disturbance Ribbon

Given to any LAPD officer who saw service during the 1992 Los Angeles riots from April 29 to May 4, 1992.

1994 Earthquake Ribbon

Given to any LAPD officer who saw service during the 1994 Northridge earthquake from January 17 to January 18, 1994.

2000 Democratic National Convention Ribbon

Given to any LAPD officer who saw service during the 2000 Democratic National Convention.

Weapons Qualifications

Urban Police Rifle Cadre Ribbon

Given to any LAPD officer who is qualified to use a Urban Police Rifle (usually a AR-15 variant chambered in .223)

Shotgun Slug Ammunition Cadre Ribbon

Given to any LAPD officer who is qualified to use slug ammunition in LAPD issued shotguns.

Distinguished Expert Marksmanship Badge

Officers must score 2,310 out of a possible 2,400 points in a consecutive six‑month period in the voluntary bonus qualification shoots (held every month). Officers who have qualified as Distinguished Experts receive $64 in compensation in their bi-weekly paychecks.

Expert Marksmanship Badge

Officers must score 380 out of a possible 400 points in the voluntary bonus qualification shoots (held every month). Officers who have qualified as Experts receive $32 in compensation in their bi-weekly paychecks.

Sharpshooter Marksmanship Badge

Officers must score 340 out of a possible 400 points in the voluntary bonus qualification shoots (held every month). Officers who have qualified as Sharpshooters receive $16 in compensation in their bi-weekly paychecks.

Marksman Marksmanship Badge

Officers must score 300 out of a possible 400 points in the voluntary bonus qualification shoots (held every month). Officers who have qualified as Marksmen receive $8 in compensation in their bi-weekly paychecks.

Other

Purple Heart

Awarded to officers who sustain a traumatic physical injury as a result of a suspect’s actions during an on-duty tactical situation.

Can also be awarded posthumously to officers who die in the line of duty as a direct result of a suspect’s actions.