The Medal of Valor is the highest honor that can be awarded an officer of this Department. It is granted for conspicuous heroism in the line of duty under circumstances of extreme personal danger. It shall be awarded only on order from the Chief of Police, and only after the Review Board confirms the following circumstances:

1. The officer acted in the face of extreme personal danger, without hesitation or regard for his or her own life or well-being.

2. The officer took the action willingly and with full knowledge of the grave risks involved.

3. The action was so clearly above and beyond the call or risk of ordinary duty, and so conspicuous an example of personal courage, that any lesser award would be considered inadequate and inappropriate.

The Medal of Valor award will include a medal, a service ribbon, and a certificate with a written description of the event.

The Citation for Bravery is awarded to officers who perform extraordinary acts of bravery in the line of duty. It shall be awarded only on an order from the Chief, and only after the Review Board confirms the following circumstances:

1. The officer acted voluntarily and without regard for personal risk.

2. The act occurred at a moment of clear and obvious danger.

3. The act was clearly above and beyond the call of ordinary duty.

The award will include a medal, a service ribbon, and a certificate with the written description of the event.

The Lifesaving Medal is awarded to officers who perform a lifesaving act under extraordinary circumstances. It shall be awarded only on an order from the Chief, and only after the Review Board confirms the following circumstances:

1. The officer took direct, immediate, and positive action to preserve the life of another human being who was in danger of dying.

2. The action taken did prevent the loss of a human life.

3. The circumstances of the act were such that any delay in providing assistance would, in all probability, have resulted in the person’s death.

This award shall not duplicate any other award, with the exception of the Service Award, given to the same officer for the same incident.

The award will include a medal, a service ribbon, and a certificate with the written description of the event.

The Purple Heart is awarded to officers who suffer serious injury or death in the performance of duty. It shall be awarded only on an order from the Chief, and only after the Review Board confirms the following circumstances:

1. The wound or injury was inflicted by an assailant whose intent was to injure the officer while he or she was engaged in carrying out an authorized enforcement action, or was incurred in the performance of a rescue or other lifesaving act.

2. The injury sustained must have required treatment by a medical doctor.

3. The injury sustained resulted in a necessary loss of time from duty.

The award will include a medal, a service ribbon, and a certificate with the written description of the event.

The Citation for Meritorious Service is awarded to officers for an act of distinctive gallantry or achievement. It shall be awarded only on an order from the Chief, and only after the Review Board confirms the following circumstance:

1. The act must be of such distinction as to have brought great credit to the officer and to the Police Department.

The award shall include a service ribbon and a certificate with a written description of the accomplishment(s) that led to the award.

This award is presented to a sworn police employee whose work performance and actions are clearly above the call of ordinary duty. Significant achievement in providing public safety is required. A constant commitment to outstanding service is demonstrated. Contributions of time and service to the community are desirable, but not absolutely required.

The award will include a medal, a service ribbon, and a certificate describing the circumstances that supported the granting of the award. When funding is available, the award will also include a savings bond with a maturity rate of $300. A check for $300 may be substituted for a savings bond.

This award is presented to a sworn police employee who is assigned to the Criminal Investigations Unit who has shown leadership within the unit, has been relentless in follow-up on cases and maintains contact with victims. A constant commitment to outstanding service is demonstrated. Contributions of time and service to the community are desirable, but not absolutely required.

The award will include a medal, a service ribbon, and a certificate describing the circumstances that supported the granting of the award. When funding is available, the award will also include a savings bond with a maturity rate of $200. A check for $200 may be substituted for a savings bond.

This award is presented to a MARTA Police Department supervisor. For the purposes of this award, positions recognized as a supervisor include Communications supervisor, Records supervisor, Sergeant, Lieutenant or Major. The award will recognize the recipients dedication to duty, service and leadership throughout the year combined with excellent work performance. The individual’s work performance and actions should be clearly above and beyond the call of ordinary duty. A significant achievement in providing public safety should be displayed as well as demonstrating a constant commitment to outstanding service. The individual should provide assistance in helping the Department meet its goals. Contributions of time and service to the community are desirable, but not absolutely required.

The award will include a medal, a service ribbon, and a certificate describing the circumstances that supported the granting of the award. When funding is available, the award will also include a savings bond with a maturity rate of $200. A check for $200 may be substituted for a savings bond.

This award is presented to a MARTA Police Department civilian employee whose work performance and actions are clearly above and beyond the call of ordinary duty. Assistance is provided in helping the Department meet its goals. Spirit and enthusiasm clearly surpasses the normal requirements for the position. Significant results are obtained in the performance of duties.

The award will be in the form of a medal and a certificate that describes the circumstances that contributed to the granting of the award. When funding is available, the award will also include a savings bond with a maturity rate of $200. A check for $200 may be substituted for a savings bond.

The MARTA Police Department Civilian Award may be presented to persons other than MARTA Police Department personnel. The Award is granted by the Chief after receiving a recommendation from any person. The person recommended must have performed an act of distinction which has brought great credit to the employee or Department or provided assistance that aided the Department in meeting its goals.

The award will be in the form of a certificate describing the accomplishments of the person receiving the award.

This award is presented at the discretion of the Chief of Police. It may be given in circumstances not covered specifically in the criteria for any other Department award, or in any other circumstances approved by the Chief.

The award includes a medal, a service ribbon, and a certificate describing the circumstances that led to the decision to make the presentation.

This award is presented to the officer who shoots the highest score during the spring firearms qualifications class on the State course utilizing the mandated targets. The Range Master will keep the highest scored target(s) in each spring firearms qualifications class. In the event of a tie, the Range Master will compare the targets and see which shooter had the best shot group. The shooter with the best shot group will receive the Top Shooter Award.

This award is open to all field and administration personnel with the exception of members of S.O.R.T., Training Unit staff as well as Majors and above.

The award will include an individual plaque and a certificate. The top shooter will also be recognized on a perpetual plaque which will be placed at the firing range.

Service pins will be awarded for years of service in increments of 5 years.

Training Awards may be earned in accordance with Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council guidelines. All Training Awards must be approved by the Training Coordinator and the Chief prior to making any application to POST Council.

Perfect attendance is defined as an employee who has not been absent from work, during the calendar year for any reasons, excluding approved PTO. Example, January 1st through December 31st an employee has perfect attendance. The employee will receive a certificate and ribbon during the first quarter of the following year. All recipients will be recognized at the annual police awards luncheon. The associated ribbon may be worn on the uniform for the entire year following its award. If the officer’s perfect attendance record is broken during the year, the ribbon cannot be worn during the following year, until a new Perfect Attendance Certificate is earned.

Special Event Ribbons, otherwise known as “Campaign Ribbons”, may be presented and worn as determined by the Chief. Special Event Ribbons may be awarded for exemplary performance in support of a major event of local or national importance. This award is only given to the entire Department. It is not given to individuals.

If a Medal of Valor, Citation for Bravery, Lifesaving Medal, Purple Heart, Citation for Meritorious Service, Micah Brown Police Officer of the Year, Darren Tilmon Detective of the Year, Supervisor of the Year Award, Civilian Employee of the Year, Civilian Award, Chief’s Award or Top Shooter Award is awarded, that fact shall be published in the MARTA Monthly newsletter distributed throughout the Authority. The information will also be included in the Departmental Newsletter or a memorandum and distributed throughout the Police Department.