Police Officer of the Year

2008 Nominations Procedure

Law enforcement can be rewarding and challenging — as well as frustrating and dangerous — so providing appropriate recognition to deserving officers is very important. As law enforcement leaders, we must reinforce to the public that the vast majority of the police officers who serve us are dedicated professionals working to make our lives better and our communities safer.

To provide such recognition, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and Parade magazine sponsor the Police Officer of the Year Award. This award symbolizes the highest level of achievement among police officers in the United States.

All officers who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in carrying out their duties will be considered for this honor. Extraordinary valor, crime prevention, community policing, investigative work, juvenile programs, and other police endeavors are eligible.

In addition to the top award, ten other officers will be selected for honorable mention. All recipients will be featured in Parade magazine, and the awards will be presented during the 115th Annual IACP Conference in San Diego, CA on November 8-12, 2008.

Nominations must be postmarked and approved by the chief by June 2, 2008.

ELIGIBILITY: All sworn, full-time United States officers below the rank of chief are eligible. Posthumous nominations are not eligible. Nominations may be made for exceptional achievement in any police endeavor, either on-duty or off-duty, including extraordinary valor, crime prevention, investigative work, community policing, traffic safety, drug control and prevention, juvenile programs, and training programs. Nominations should be made for police endeavors that occurred between June 1, 2007 and June 1, 2008. An agency may nominate more than one officer.

Endorsement: Nominations MUST have a signed endorsement from the agency head. The agency head need not be a member of the IACP.

Submissions: There is an application for submissions. Please complete the information as thoroughly as possible. Nominations should include a statement of the specific circumstances involving distinguished police performance. Supplemental material such as departmental citations, letters of commendation, and newspaper clippings will be accepted. No videotapes or CDs, please. A 5"x7" black and white, head and shoulders photo is requested, if available. Submissions will not be returned.

Click here to for the Police Officer of the Year application.

Delivery of Submissions: Nominations may be mailed, e-mailed, or faxed. If an express delivery service is used, send to arrive on a business day.

Notification: Winners will be notified by August 15, 2008.

Awards Presentation: The awards will be presented during the 115th Annual IACP Conference in San Diego, CA on November 8-12, 2008. The IACP and Parade magazine will select one Police Officer of the Year and ten honorable mentions. Duplicate plaques will be awarded to each winner's agency.

Deadline: Submissions must be postmarked by June 2, 2008. Send to IACP, Attn: Wendy Balazik, 515 North Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314-2357 or fax to 703-836-4543 or e-mail to balazik@theiacp.org.

Questions?
Contact Wendy Balazik, 800-THE-IACP ext. 264, or balazik@theiacp.org.