The Moorhead Police Department has established a program to formally recognize accomplishments of its members. The Department recognizes that situations occur which may demand conduct beyond normal expectations. When department personnel handle emergency situations above and beyond what is normally expected, official recognition is in order. Nominations for Departmental Awards are forwarded to the Moorhead Police Department Awards Committee who reviews them with their recommendation to the Chief of Police for final award.

The Medal of Honor is awarded for extraordinary actions performed during a police related act, on or off-duty, that expose the officer to self-peril above and beyond the call of duty.

• Who, knowing the consequences of their act and disregarding their own safety, acted in the best interest of the community.
• The act must clearly delineate valor from lesser forms of courage by being of such a grave nature that the non-performance of the act would not subject the individual to any justifiable criticism.

Medal of Honor nominations shall be based on the following criteria:

• A strong possibility existed at the time the employee acted that he could have suffered serious injury or death, or the employee was seriously or fatally injured in the performance of this act;
• The act was not foolhardy; and,
• The employee did not use poor judgment or violate procedures which created the necessity for their actions.

Department members who give their life in the line of duty where the circumstances indicate an act of valor was performed will be automatically eligible for a posthumous award of the Medal of Honor.

The Medal of Valor is awarded to personnel who distinguish themselves by an act within the realm of duty which involves substantial risk to their life that is performed under conditions described as less hazardous as those outlined for the Medal of Honor.

The Police Shield is awarded to a police officer that is seriously injured, or receives a substantial life threatening injury in the line of duty.

• The injury may occur on or off-duty while the officer is performing a police related task and the officer exercises good judgment and procedures, which do not create unnecessary risk to his safety nor create a situation which otherwise would not develop.
• The Police Shield may be awarded in addition to the awarding of a higher award where the facts show the recipient is entitled to such award.
• The Department's Award Review Committee shall not consider injuries sustained from falls on ice, motor vehicle accidents or similar occurrences unless the evidence clearly indicates the employee had exhausted all reasonable safety precautions and had no control of the circumstances.

The Distinguished Service Medal is awarded for exceptional courage or bravery.

• The act displays unusual thoroughness, conscientiousness, determination and initiative while carrying out the duties and responsibilities of their position.

The Police Commendation Bar is awarded for acts of heroism beyond those acts normally required by the bounds of duty but do not necessarily expose the officer to the degree of risk established for the Medal of Valor or Medal of Merit.

• The Police Commendation Bar may also be awarded for outstanding contributions to law enforcement through the success of difficult police projects, programs, or situations with such contributions being made in a highly professional manner.

The Life Saving Medal is awarded to personnel who take action to save the life of another which would otherwise have expired without the direct action undertaken by the rescuer.

• The rescuer need not have been subjected to personal risk through their involvement.
• The employee should have a more substantial role in a life saving effort than normal administering of rescue procedures for a few minutes prior to the arrival of ambulances and paramedics.