Medals of the New York City Police Department

Medal of Honor

• Individual acts of extraordinary bravery intelligently performed in the line of duty at imminent and personal danger to life. Specifically, the Department Medal of Honor is awarded for acts of gallantry and valor performed with knowledge of the risk involved, above and beyond the call of duty. A second award is denoted by a gold leaf.

  Police Combat Cross

• Members who have successfully and intelligently performed an act of extraordinary heroism, while engaged in personal combat with an armed adversary under circumstances of imminent personal hazard to life. A second award is denoted by a gold leaf.

  Medal for Valor

• Acts of outstanding personal bravery intelligently performed in the line of duty at imminent personal hazard to life under circumstances evincing a disregard of personal consequences. A second award is denoted by a gold leaf.

  Meritorious Police Duty (MPD)

Honorable Mention

• An act of extraordinary bravery intelligently performed in the line of duty at imminent and personal danger to life.

  Exceptional Merit

• An act of bravery intelligently performed involving personal risk to life.

  Commendation or Commendation—Integrity

• Grave personal danger in the performance of duty, OR
• A highly creditable, unusual police accomplishment.

  Commendation—Community Service

• An act which demonstrates devotion to Community service.
• An idea implemented that improves conditions within a Community.

  Meritorious Police Duty

• An act of intelligent and valuable police service demonstrating special faithfulness or perseverance, OR
• Highly creditable acts of police service over a period of time.

  Excellent Police Duty (EPD)

• An intelligent act materially contributing to a valuable accomplishment, OR
• Submission of a device or method adopted to increase efficiency in an administrative or tactical procedure.

  Unit Citation

Purple Shield

Distinguished Service Medal

Other awards or decorations

American Flag Breast Bar

• May be worn by any NYPD officer. When worn, it is affixed above any other medal.

  World Trade Center Breast Bar

• Once only reserved to be worn by any NYPD officer who was in active service during, or worked details related to the follow up on, the September 11 attacks, it has been updated to allow any NYPD Police Officer, at their discretion, to wear the bar in honor and remembrance. When worn, it is affixed just below the American Flag Breast Bar and above any other medal.

  Firearms Proficiency Bar

• May be worn by any NYPD officer who has been certified or recertified as an expert shooter with their police firearm. When worn, it is affixed just above the shield and below any other medal.