VFW Post 3783 - Programs


Main - Programs - Law Enforcement and Emergency

LAW ENFORCEMENT & EMERGENCY SERVICES PROVIDER
Download this file in PDF format

CHUCK HOLDEN, CHAIRMAN
2249 First Avenue
Napa, CA 94558
(707) 224-3329

     The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States realizes that duties performed in the fields of law enforcement and emergency services, whether carried out in public view with the ensuing public acclaim, or performed in ways which gain little public recognition, are both exemplary and of great value to the nation.

     The State of California VFW’s "Outstanding State Law Enforcement Officer" Award and "Emergency Services Provider" Award are presented so that those men and women in the fields of law enforcement and emergency services might know that their dedication and good will are appreciated.

     As members of this great organization, we recognize the importance of their work and the significant role they play in protecting our freedoms and property. Their dedication to justice and willingness to go into "harm's way" reflects the best traditions of their individual professions.

CRITERIA

     1. Contribution to the preservation and perpetuation of the ideals of law and justice and/or the emergency services codes and regulations upon which our government is based;

     2. Recognition by colleagues of his or her service, whether that service be one of quiet dedication or one achieving wide publicity;

     3. Unswerving loyalty to, and active participation in, the defense, safety and security of citizens;

     4. Dedication to their official responsibilities over a period of years and continuous growth in his or her responsibility and experience, not only in fields within law enforcement and/or emergency services, but in those fields that encompass the community, the state, and the nation, and in those fields of human relationships;

     5. Special schools, classes, seminars attended, i.e., certificates for Firefighter #1 and #2, forensic sciences, clandestine laboratories, homicide investigations, etc.

NOTE: COPIES OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION IS A NECESSITY.

COMPILING A CANDIDATE'S BOOK

     The candidate's scrapbook (three-ring binder) will be the only measure on which the judges will base their decision. A point value will be assigned for the criteria listed above. Each District will be allowed only one (1) book for each award. The book may be of any size and there is no limit to the contents. Awards, certificates, and commendations are important.

In order to be judged, the scrapbooks MUST comply with the following instructions:

First Page:

District Number
District Commander and Auxiliary President's Names
District and Auxiliary Chairperson's Names
Post and Auxiliary Number
Post Commander and Auxiliary President's Names
Post and Auxiliary Chairperson's Names

Second Page:

     Law Enforcement/ESP recognition form from the rear portion of this Program Guide with a photograph or snapshot of the candidate (black & white, passport size, or a 2" x 2") is a MUST.

Addenda:

     Copies of academic achievements, professional accomplishments, commendations, rating reports, letters, affidavits, photographs, newspaper clippings, etc., to include his/her activities and contributions to our communities. NOTE: This is the basis of the nomination. QUALITY, not quantity, is desired. Remember that the judges do not know your candidate, so the candidate's book will tell the story.

Last Pages:

     Brief (but thorough) letters from the Post Commander AND the District Commander as to why this candidate deserves the title of “Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer” or “Outstanding Emergency Services Provider”.

ELIGIBILITY

A law enforcement officer, as interpreted by the members of the National Citations and Awards Committee is as follows:

     1. Municipal Police Officers
     2. County Sheriffs
     3. County Deputy Sheriffs
     4. Highway Patrol Officers
     5. Federal Agents

The eligibility qualifications for emergency services personnel are described as follows:

      1. Firefighters
     2. Paramedics
     3. Emergency Medical Technicians

(*Any of these individuals who performs duties as a member of any public or volunteer company organized to fight fires and provide fire safety for our nation's citizens.)

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBMISSION

     1. Each Post should submit one (l) “Law Enforcement” candidate book and/or one (l) “Emergency Services Provider” candidate book to the District for judging.

     2. Each District will choose one (1) “Law Enforcement" candidate book and one (1) “Emergency Services Provider” candidate book as judged best in that District. Each District Chairperson shall submit these two winning books to the State Director along with a list of Post & Auxiliary Chairpersons who have participated in the program. No books will be accepted from individuals or from individual Posts.

      3. The deadline for submission of District candidates' books to the State Chairman is March 1. No books will be received for judging at the Spring Council of Ad ministration. It is important that each Post begin this program immediately to meet this March deadline.

PUBLICITY

     All Posts and Districts are encouraged to publicize this program in the local media. It is important that these men and women receive pub lic recognition for their dedicated service. Remember that it is not the award that is important, but rather the individual who receives the award.

REPORTING

     Report your participation in this recognition program under "Safety" on the Program Reporting Form (CAVFW FORM-12).

AWARDS

     1. Each District's first place winner will receive a State citation.

      2. The Department of California's first place winner will receive the “Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer” award or the “Outstanding Emergency Services Provider” award at our VFW State Convention's Banquet. The recipients will receive two banquet tickets, two nights lodging, and a $500.00 monetary award. The recipients will also be our State's nominees for the National “J. Edgar Hoover Gold Medal” award and the National “Emergency Services Gold Medal and Citation” award. (Note: National will notify Nominees if they are judged as winners of these awards.)

     3. Each Post Law Enforcement/Emergency Services Chairman having an entrant will receive a citation for participating in this program. As previously noted, District Chairpersons are responsible for providing the names of these individuals when forwarding their District scrapbook(s) to the State Chairman.

     4. The District and Post Law Enforcement/ESP Chairpersons whose entries are judged the winners in the State will receive commendation plaques.

(NOTE: If a District or Post cannot get a candidate for a scrapbook, you can still qualify as a participant in the “Law Enforcement & Emergency Services Provider Recognition” Program by presenting a certificate or plaque to an eligible individual, police department, fire department, sub-station, etc., but YOU MUST REPORT IT!)

POINTS TO REMEMBER

     1. QUALITY, not quantity.
     2. Fellow veteran candidates are encouraged.
     3. Recognize both the individual's professional accomplishments AND the individual's contributions to their community.

LET’S BRING HOME A NATIONAL WINNER