Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award

These nominees must be submitted to department by 5 January, 2018.


PROGRAM GOAL
The Preamble of the Constitution of The American Legion includes as one of its major objectives “….to maintain Law and Order.”  The goal of the National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award is to select a well rounded Law Enforcement Officer who has exceeded, above and beyond, the duty requirements expected of his/her position and has demonstrated a distinctive patter of community service coupled with professional achievement.  Episodes of heroism will, of course, also be included where noted.  A major secondary purpose of this award is to encourage the further development of Department and Post Law and Order Committees in all Departments in recognition of enforcement officers by Post, Departments and the National Headquarters of The American Legion.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
ü  Be a citizen of the United States
ü  Be a living, active, full-time paid, sworn law enforcement officer entrusted with full authority and with powers of arrest.
ü  Reside or be assigned for duty to a City, County, District, State or Federal Law Enforcement Agency within the Department for which they are selected.
ü  Be selected as the Department Law Enforcement Officer of the Year and then submitted into National competition. 
ü  Federal  agents serving in overseas Departments may be nominated by that overseas Department.
ü  Department nominees are not required to be veterans or members of The American Legion.
ü  Military police officers or investigators are not eligible to participate in this competition.
ü  Nominees selected for this award should be available to receive this award at the American Legion National Convention. 

DEPARTMENT APPLICATION
Application packets should include a completed application form used as the cover page of this application.  Also included should be 12 pages of service documentation, the first 6 pages will be on sided 8/12” x 11” bond paper and include approximately four or five pages of the individual’s service narrative.  The second 6 pages may be two-sided and include press articles.  Within the service documentation, a letter from the nominee’s commanding officer or supervisor must be included.  Specific acts of community service, heroism and meritorious performance recognized by his/her law enforcement agency should also be included and documented.  Outstanding service to Community, State or Nation by the officer, in both on-duty and off-duty activities, should be explained for the past year and may include previous years.  Also include a 5” x 7” photograph of the nominee as well as a copy of your nominee’s State or Federal certification as a law enforcement officer.  Departments should submit 3 copies of the completed application to:
The American Legion
National Security – Foreign Relations Division
1608 K Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006                                                                    Due by February 1st each year.

JUDGING AND GUIDELINES
Guidelines will be based on the following criteria and maximum percentage points will be allocated as follows:
·         Community Service ……………. 50 Points
·         Professional Career ……………. 25 Points
·         Heroism………………………………. 20 Points
·         Letters of Recognition, news clippings, etc…. 5 Points


Judges will be selected by the Chairman of the Law and Order Committee from members of this committee and the National Security Commission.  Each Judge will represent his/her Region and will select a Regional winner from Regions other than their own.  Alternate-at-large judges may also be selected at the Washington Conference.  The National winner will be selected from the Regional winners during the Spring meeting of the National Executive Committee.