ITOA AWARDS & COMMENDATIONS

The Illinois Tactical Officers Association has had the distinct privilege and honor or 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.

ITOA awards are presented at the annual training conference, November 24-26, 2024 at the Rosemont Convention Center. Due to organizational requirements, award recommendations will be accepted until Friday, August 30, 2024.

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.

Awards 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 all Awards.

TYPES OF AWARDS/COMMENDATIONS 

ITOA Medal of Valor Awarded to ITOA member 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. The award may also be bestowed upon a unit who as a whole distinguishes themselves Valorously.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.