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ITOA Awards Program

ITOA AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

The Illinois Tactical Officers Association has had the distinct privilege and honor of recognizing many of our members and teams through the Awards and Commendation program. This program was adopted in 2001 in order to create a process by which ITOA members could be officially recognized for outstanding performance during a tactical operation/situation and/or exemplary service to the organization.

Due to the pandemic and the prohibitions placed on associations such as ours from hosting large events, we will be accepting recommendations for events from September 2019 through September 2021 to recognize deserving ITOA members. As the deadline approaches for submitting recommendations to the ITOA Board, here is a review of the recommendation process and award categories.

INITIATING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AWARDS

Any ITOA member may recommend an officer 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. All recommendations for the time frame listed above, must be submitted to the ITOA Awards Committee Chairman at: emohn@itoa.org, no later than, Thursday September 30, 2021.

RECOMMENDATION REVIEW

A copy of each award/commendation recommendation will be forwarded to the Awards Committee. The Awards Committee will review all recommendations by examining the reports, statements, evidence and calling witnesses if necessary. The Committee may determine that the award/commendation be upgraded, downgraded or not presented at all The Committee will then make a recommendation to the Officers & Board of Directors based upon their review as to the merits of the incident and a concurrence or non-concurrence with the recommendation.

The Officers and Board of Directors will vote to accept or deny the final recommendation during the regularly scheduled monthly meeting in September.

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 distinguish 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 lifesaving 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 Medal of Bravery

Awarded to ITOA members who in the performance of their duty distinguish themselves during a tactical operation by performing an act of Bravery or Courage while conscious of the danger and at risk of personal hazard to him/herself. May also be awarded to individuals who perform a courageous act during a tactical operation that by its very nature is lifesaving at 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 “Al Mampre” 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 operational excellence in order to neutralize a suspect, rescue hostages, 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 Legion of Merit Medal

Awarded to ITOA members who have made long term and extraordinary contributions to the organization in areas of great responsibility. The nominee must have performed, participated in and volunteered for a multitude of ITOA events and critical positions on a continuous basis. Additionally, it must be documented that the nominee’s contributions and efforts on behalf of the organization were truly outstanding and have resulted in improvements to the operational success, and effectiveness of the organization. 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 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.

All correspondences related to the ITOA Tactical Patrol Officer Program should be directed to ITOA Training Coordinator Ed Mohn at: emohn@itoa.org

The review and consideration given to each award recommendation by the Awards Committee, Executive Officers and Board of Directors is a painstaking process that we all take extremely seriously. There have been some questions raised in the past by members who have submitted recommendations that were subsequently not selected for official presentation/recognition by the association. This is not because the officer in question did not perform in an exemplary manner or is not deserving or recognition, but typically it is because the act in question occurred when the officer was performing in some other capacity other than during a SWAT and/or Patrol Tactical Operation.

Each year there are numerous examples of ITOA members conducting themselves in an outstanding manner in the performance of their duties while performing their daily tasks. As a Tactical Officers Association, the Awards and Commendation program was initiated specifically for recognizing those officers and teams that perform in an outstanding manner during tactical operations.

Remember the deadline for submitting recommendations is fast approaching. All recommendations for awards must be received no later than September 30, 2021.

ABOUT ITOA

This is an opportunity for tactical officers to gather together to compare ideas and experiences. Through education and networking, it was hoped that high-risk operations requiring the use of a tactical team would be made safer.

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CONTACT US

If you have any comments, questions, concerns or ideas for the Illinois Tactical Officers Association? Contact us today.

ITOA address:

14007 South Bell Rd. 226

Homer Glen, IL 60491

Email us:

Office: admin@itoa.org

Finance: itoafinance@itoa.org

Board: itoaboard@itoa.org

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