2021 Award Recipients

The Charleston Police Department Probationary Officer is an officer with under

two years of service. This award is presented to a probationary police officer for

outstanding service and deeds to the department, community, and profession.

Any Sergeant, recognized by his/her peers, who display exceptional leadership,

compassion and vision. Sergeant of the Year can be nominated by anyone with

direct knowledge and observation of the Sergeant’s exceptional service.

Any Detective or Investigator, who uses his or her experience and training to

resolve an investigation that improves community trust and builds transparency.

Detective of the Year can be nominated by anyone with direct knowledge and

observation of the detective or investigator’s sense of urgency and thoroughness.

Any Command Staff Member, at the rank of Lieutenant or higher, whose

responsibilities exceed those of his or her assigned position to include

volunteering, mentoring, or special projects. Commander of the Year can be

nominated by anyone with direct knowledge of the Commander’s responsibilities.

The Team of the Year is awarded to any group of three or more persons

assigned to the Police Department whose combined effort toward a project,

program or extended work assignment significantly forwards the mission and

goals of the Charleston Police Department.

This award recognizes professional staff employees and their contributions in

support of the law enforcement effort. This can come from any division in the

police department where the civilian does not fall into any other established

category. The recipient’s contributions in their primary work assignment must

show significant impact in support of the police department’s mission.

This award recognizes civilian employees assigned to the Fleet Services Division.

The recipient’s contributions to the Fleet Services Division must show significant

impact in supporting the police department’s mission.

This award recognizes civilian or sworn employees assigned to the Forensic

Services Division. The recipient’s contributions in their primary work assignment

must show significant impact in support of the Forensic Services Division, the

police department’s mission, or crime laboratory accreditation.

Recognition of Assistance to the Charleston Police Department Awarded to a

citizen, who has shown himself or herself to be an asset to the Charleston

Police Department. Their integrity, professionalism, and dedication to the

community are outstanding.

The Guardian Award may be awarded in recognition of any sworn officer who

utilized exceptional tactical skills or verbal approaches and techniques to deescalate

any deadly force situation resulting in the saving or sustaining of human life.

Awarded for an act that prevents the loss of life of another person(s) during an

extreme circumstance or event, and the circumstance or event presents no

danger to the officer at the time of the occurrence.

Awarded for an act of valor, most commonly found associated with a deadly

encounter situation, which involves extreme risk of life to an officer, officers, or

another person or persons and the act is selfless and noble in the endless pursuit

of service and protection of the public to which they serve. There can be

multiple recipients. The Chief’s Award of Valor may be awarded to any sworn or

non-sworn member of the police department in recognition of an outstanding

act of bravery with no regard to self or personal safety, with great individual

courage, and with dedicated devotion to duty.