INITIATING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AWARDS/COMMENDATIONS

Any ITOA member may recommend another member or unit for consideration of an award/commendation. The recommendation must be in writing and cite police reports, witness information, statements, evidence and any other information that will assist in reviewing the recommendation. The individual recommended for the award must be, or have been an active member of the ITOA at the time of the incident that is the basis for the award recommendation. All recommendations must be submitted to the President of the ITOA.

CONSIDERATION PERIOD

Presentation of these awards/commendations will take place at the annual conference. In order to process and prepare them in a timely manner prior to the conference, the yearly consideration period will be from September 1st of the previous year to August 31 st of the conference year.

RECOMMENDATION REVIEW

A copy of each award/commendation recommendation will be forwarded to each of the ITOA Officers & Board of Directors. During the regularly scheduled monthly meeting in September, the board will review all recommendations by examining the reports, statements, evidence and calling witnesses if necessary. The board will make a recommendation based upon their review as to the merits of the incident and a concurrence or non-concurrence with the recommendation. The board may also determine that the award/commendation be upgraded, downgraded or not presented at all. The Officers and Board of Directors will then vote to accept the final recommendation. A full 3/4 present majority must pass the recommendation to be awarded.

These awards may be given to multiple individuals and/or teams based upon the merits of the situation presented to the committee. However, these awards are not to be given, just to be given. If there are no nominations or the nominations do not live up to the expectations of the committee, then no awards are presented.

TYPES OF AWARDS/COMMENDATIONS

ITOA Medal of Valor - Awarded to ITOA members who in the performance of their duty distinguishes themselves during a tactical operation by performing an act of Exceptional Bravery or Courage while conscious of the danger and at great risk of personal hazard to him/herself. May also be awarded to individuals who perform a heroic act during a tactical operation that by its very nature is life saving at great risk of personal hazard to him/herself. This award shall consist of a cased Medal and Ribbon, accompanied by a framed written citation. The President of the ITOA at the annual conference shall make the presentation of this award. A copy of the award and citation will be forwarded to the individual's agency for inclusion in their personnel file.

ITOA Unit Citation - Awarded to a Tactical Unit who in the performance of their duty during a tactical operation distinguishes themselves by performing in an outstanding manner, demonstrating valor, courage, sound judgment and overall excellence in order to neutralize a suspect, thus protecting fellow officers and/or innocent victims and bystanders. This award shall consist of an oversized framed certificate and medal that will be presented to the unit commander. Each officer on the team that participated in the event shall receive a uniform ribbon and written citation. The President of the ITOA at the annual conference shall make the presentation of the award. A copy of the award and citation will be forwarded to the individual's agency for inclusion in their personnel file.

ITOA Medal of Excellence - Awarded to ITOA members who in the performance of their duty distinguishes themselves during a tactical operation by performing an outstanding act, or series of acts, demonstrating sound judgment and overall excellence, that has a profound and direct positive influence on the outcome of the tactical operation. May also be awarded to individuals who perform an outstanding act during a tactical operation that by its very nature results in the saving of a life. This award shall consist of a cased Medal and Ribbon, accompanied by a framed written citation. The President of the ITOA at the annual conference shall make the presentation of this award. A copy of the award and citation will be forwarded to the individual's agency for inclusion in their personnel file.

ITOA Meritorious Service Medal - Awarded to ITOA members who have made a truly outstanding contribution and/or achievement contributing to the efficiency, effectiveness and/or over all operational success of the ITOA by consistently performing their duties with outstanding skill, productivity, judgment and responsibility. May be awarded for a specific outstanding act, or continued outstanding performance on behalf of the ITOA. This award shall consist of a cased Medal and Ribbon, accompanied by a framed written citation. The President of the ITOA at the annual conference shall make the presentation of this award. A copy of the award and citation will be forwarded to the individual's agency for inclusion in their personnel file.

MEDAL SPECIFICATIONS

The Medal and Ribbon sets will be purchased from the V. H. Blackinton Company.

The style and color of the awards will be set as follows:

Medal of Valor

Medal w/Windsor Ribbon
Ribbon Bar w/”V” Device
1 3/8" X 5/16" Enamel Ribbon Bar
Medal #A8365
Ribbon Color #RC-8

Medal of Excellence

Medal w/Drape Ribbon
Plain Ribbon Bar
1 3/8" X 5/16" Enamel Ribbon Bar
Medal #A2084
Ribbon Color #RC-44

Unit Citation

Medal w/Drape Ribbon
Plain Ribbon Bar
1 3/8" X 5/16" Enamel Ribbon Bar
Medal #A1789
Ribbon Color#42

Meritorious Service Medal

Medal w/Drape Ribbon
Plain Ribbon Bar
1 3/8" X 5/16" Enamel Ribbon Bar
Medal #A2617
Ribbon Color #43

-Center of the Medals will be the State of Illinois Seal