The New York City Police Department Medals and Awards

Sergeant James Clarke of NYPD Patrol Borough Queens South retiring after serving 41 years. Image courtesy of NYPD IG.

The New York City Police Department presents medals to its members for meritorious service. These include (in highest to lower precedence) the Medal of Honor, Police Combat Cross, and Medal of Valor. These medals are awarded for individual acts of extraordinary bravery and heroism. Here are the New York City Police Department medals (you can click on them to see more details):

The New York City Police Department Medal of Honor

The New York City Police Department Medal of Honor is the highest law enforcement medal of the NYPD and awarded for extraordinary bravery.

The New York City Police Department Medal of Valor

The New York City Police Department Medal of Valor is the department’s third highest medal, conferred for acts of outstanding bravery.

The New York City Police Department Combat Cross

The New York City Police Department Combat Cross is the second highest departmental award of the NYPD and awarded for heroism.

A Short History of the NYPD and its Medals

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is the primary law enforcement agency within the City of New York. The NYPD was established on May 23, 1845, replacing an old night watch system, and is the largest and one of the oldest police departments in the country. The NYPD employs around 55,000 people, including almost 35,000 uniformed officers.

The NYPD has a broad array of specialized services, including the Emergency Service Unit, air support, bomb squad, counter-terrorism, criminal intelligence, anti-gang, anti-organized crime, narcotics, public transportation, and public housing units.

I made this shortvideo to explain how each medal is awarded (keep scrolling to learn more):

The NYPD Medal of Honor

The highest honor bestowed by the NYPD, the Medal of Honor is awarded to officers who demonstrate extraordinary bravery in the face of imminent danger to their own lives. This medal is typically awarded to officers who display exceptional courage and valor while confronting armed assailants or during life-threatening situations. Recipients of the Medal of Honor are recognized for their selfless acts of heroism and their unwavering commitment to protecting the lives of others.

The Police Combat Cross

The Police Combat Cross is awarded to officers who demonstrate exceptional courage and valor in the line of duty, particularly in situations involving an armed confrontation with a dangerous suspect. Recipients of this medal have displayed extraordinary bravery and resourcefulness in the face of imminent danger, often risking their own lives to protect the lives of others. The Police Combat Cross is a symbol of the NYPD’s appreciation for the bravery and dedication of its officers in the most challenging and dangerous situations.

The NYPD Medal for Valor

The Medal for Valor is awarded to officers who demonstrate conspicuous bravery and heroism in the performance of their duties. Recipients of this medal have displayed exceptional courage and selflessness in the face of danger, often risking their own safety to protect the lives of others or to apprehend dangerous criminals. The Medal for Valor is a testament to the extraordinary dedication and bravery of NYPD officers in protecting the communities they serve.

The NYPD Badges

Badges or “shields“ of the NYPD represent different ranks. Every rank has a different design (except for “police officer” and “probationary police officer”). All sworn members of the NYPD have their ID card photos taken against a red background (civilian employees’ photos are taken against a blue background).

The Meritorious Police Duty (MPD) Bars

The Meritorious Conduct Board reviews the cases involving particularly meritorious
service and makes recommendations for proper recognition of outstanding acts. The MPD Bars are:

Honorable Mention

The Honorable Mention (displayed wearing the MPD medal with a silver star in the middle) is awarded for an act of extraordinary bravery intelligently performed in the line of duty at imminent and personal danger to life.

Exceptional Merit

The Exceptional Merit (displayed wearing the MPD medal with a green star in the middle) is awarded for an act of bravery intelligently performed involving personal risk to life.

Commendation or Commendation—Integrity

The Commendation or Commendation—Integrity (displayed wearing the MPD medal with a bronze star in the middle) is awarded for grave personal danger in the performance of duty, or a highly creditable, unusual police accomplishment.

Commendation—Community Service

The Commendation—Community Service (displayed wearing the MPD medal with a blue star in the middle) is awarded for an act which demonstrates devotion to Community service or an idea implemented that improves conditions within a Community.

Meritorious Police Duty

The Meritorious Police Duty (MPD medal with no star in the middle) is awarded for an act of intelligent and valuable police service demonstrating special faithfulness or perseverance, or highly creditable acts of police service over a period of time.

Other NYPD Awards

Excellent Police Duty (EPD)

The Excellent Police Duty (green and white bar with gold vertical bars) is awarded for an intelligent act materially contributing to a valuable accomplishment, or submission of a device or method adopted to increase efficiency in an administrative or tactical procedure.

Unit Citation

The Unit Citation (medium blue bar) is awarded to a specific unit or precinct for outstanding accomplishments.

Purple Shield

The department awards a Purple Shield to those injured or killed in the line of duty.

Distinguished Service Medal

The department also awards the Distinguished Service Medal posthumously to members of the service who suffer death as a result of illnesses associated with duty performed under unusual hazard or demand. It was first awarded in 2008.

Other Commemorative Medals

Various commemorative medals, unit citations, air crew wings, and others have also been authorized for wear:

American Flag Breast Bar: May be worn by any NYPD officer. When worn, it is affixed above any other medal.
World Trade Center Breast Bar: Once only reserved to be worn by any NYPD officer who was in active service during, or worked details related to the follow up on, the September 11 attacks, it has been updated to allow any NYPD Police Officer, at their discretion, to wear the bar in honor and remembrance. When worn, it is affixed just below the American Flag Breast Bar and above any other medal.
Firearms Proficiency Bar: May be worn by any NYPD officer who has been certified or recertified as an expert shooter with their police firearm. When worn, it is affixed just above the shield and below any other medal.

Find NYPD Medals Online

NYPD Gift Ideas

The following NYPD products are Officially Licensed. As an Amazon Affiliate, I get a percentage of the sale if you make a purchase; however, the cost is the same for you. This helps me maintain the site running.

NYPD New York City Police Department Mug ($12.80)