Mission Statement
Proactively serve and protect our community with honor, respect,
and accountability, to make Orem the safest place to live, work, and
play.
The Medal of Valor is the most distinguished award presented to a sworn officer. Only sworn officers are eligible to receive this award. Awarded for performing courageous acts above and beyond the call of duty, and involving risk or imminent danger to their lives. Such acts must have been performed for the purpose of saving or protecting human life. Officers must perform acts so outstanding that they clearly distinguish their courage from other forms of recognized bravery. There must be no margin of doubt or possibility of error in awarding this honor.
Factors for consideration for this award include, but are not limited to:
A. The act involved the preservation of human life
B. The situation was extremely hazardous; the nominee was able to evaluate the situation, was aware of the hazards, and took action
C. A strong possibility of death or serious physical injury existed when the nominee acted
D. The nominee’s actions were consistent with good judgment, not recklessness
E. The nominee would not be subjected to reasonable criticism had he/she not taken the action
F. The objective was of sufficient importance to justify the risk
The Purple Heart is awarded to any Department employee who, in the line of duty, sustains substantial bodily injury or death. As not all scenarios can be anticipated this will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The Life Saving Medal is awarded to any Department or community member who saved the life of another person.
Factors for consideration for this award include, but are not limited to:
A. The nominee was aware of the seriousness of the situation
B. The nominee acted purposely
C. The nominee did not carelessly create the situation causing the need for them to act
D. If the nominee had not acted, it was more likely than not the person would have died
E. Performing CPR may qualify, depending on the totality of the situation
F. The nominee rescued a person from what would have otherwise become a life-threatening situation
Awarded to any Department employee who, in the line of duty, distinguishes themselves by performing courageous acts involving personal hazard, or similar acts necessary to affect an arrest to prevent the escape of a person who committed an act which seriously exposed any person to death or serious personal injury. Furthermore, the Police Medal may be awarded for performing highly creditable and unusual police accomplishments.
The LeGrand J. Baker & Beth W. Baker Exemplary Service Award
In honor of LeGrand J. Baker (1909-1975) and Beth W. Baker (1920-2006), two outstanding Utah Peace Officers who served the citizens of Provo City and Utah County with honesty, integrity, and dedication.
LeGrand joined the Provo Police Department in 1947 as a patrolman. While with the department he served in numerous positions of leadership and was serving as Provo’s first appointed police captain at his retirement in 1969. He received the “Outstanding Peace Officer of Utah County Award” in 1956/ LeGrand was a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Beth was hired as a jail matron for Utah County and began working at the old Utah County Jail in West Provo in 1959. She was the first to serve as Chief Matron for Utah County. Appointed to this position in 1977. Beth served faithfully for 23 years until her retirement in 1982.
This award is given annually for exemplary and meritorious service faithfully performed for the citizens of Orem Utah. We honor you for your consistent example of fidelity, dedication, and integrity in your services to others in law enforcement.
The Police Officer of the Year Award honors a sworn officer who distinguishes themselves by actions that represent the highest standards of the police profession. Nominees should be those officers who highlight that outstanding police work is varied and challenging, greatly affects people from all walks of life, improves community conditions, and improves the quality of life in the communities of Orem City.
This ribbon is given to any Orem Police Department civilian employee or officer who has been recognized and received an award from an outside agency.
Subsequent awards received by an employee will be notated with an Oak Leaf. The ribbon itself notates one award received by the recipient. A ribbon with one oak leaf represents two awards received by the recipient. Two oak leaves represent three awards received by the recipient and three oak leaves represent four awards received by the recipient. Five or more awards received by the recipient will be notated by the respective number placed on the ribbon.
Example of 3 Outside Agency awards 
James Aubin Reams, “Jim”, was born on October 23, 1956. He was raised in Virginia. He moved to Utah in 1974. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and spent his professional career in Utah. Jim served as the City Manager for the City of Orem from 1996 until his death on September 28, 2010.
At the City of Orem, Jim was greatly loved and respected by his employees, the Mayor and City Council, and many professional colleagues. His kindness was legendary. He was a friend to all. Jim had an incredible memory and had not only memorized all of his employee’s names, but their families’ names too and he often inquired about their well-being. He was a man of integrity and wore his life out in service to others. He is still greatly missed, and his legacy of service lives on.
The Jim Reams Distinguished Service Medal is awarded to any Department member who consistently delivers police service in a manner that embodies the values of the City of Orem Police Department. The Department members are to be recognized for their compassion towards others, their excellence in service, and/or shows acts of selflessness, personal courage, and devotion to the community.
Factors for consideration for this award include, but are not limited to:
A. The act serves as an example of excellence in service to the community
B. The nominee has a high moral and ethical standard that has earned them a large degree of respect and praise among their peers
C. The nominee delivers service with a high degree of dedication to duty and consistently strives to improve the organization and community
D. The nominee mentors others in delivering superior police and/or community service
In Memory of Cooper Hamblin Kofford. This award is presented to an Orem City Police Officer, Firefighter, Dispatcher or other Public Safety Employee who impacts the lives of others by carrying out their professional duties with unforgettable compassion, respect, and reverence.
-Coopers Foundation, Inc.
The Distinguished Service Medal is awarded to any Department member for exceptional accomplishments, that went above and beyond their assigned work duties or responsibilities, and furthered the goals of the Department and/or enhanced the livability of the community.
Factors for consideration for this award include, but are not limited to:
A. The nominee made a significant and major contribution to the development of programs, policies, or procedures that had a substantial and positive impact on the goals of the Department
B. The nominee conducted a long-term investigation or solved a neighborhood problem that had a tremendous impact on the community
C. The nominee took exceptional action while assisting the community
D. During one’s career, the nominee performed in an exceptional manner (of greater significance than those acts noted for the Achievement Medal).
The Commendation Medal is awarded to any Department member for performance or achievement that went above and beyond their assigned work duties or responsibilities, meriting greater recognition than a Letter of Commendation, but not sufficient to merit a Distinguished Service Medal.
Factors for consideration for this award include, but are not limited to:
A. The nominee was/is involved in a distinctive off-duty activity which supports(ed) the community
B. The nominee’s act brought credit to the Department and the profession
C. The nominee has exemplified the Community-Oriented Policing philosophy through close cooperation with the community and/or other agencies
D. The nominee made a significant contribution to the development of programs, policies, or procedures, which had a substantial and positive impact on the goals of the Department
E. The nominee has received Letters of Commendation from other departments, agencies, or organizations, or from private citizens, which bring credit to the Department and the community
F. The nominee authored law enforcement-related material published in a national publication
G. The nominee solved a long-standing problem in an innovative way
H. The nominee conducted an investigation, made an arrest, or solved a neighborhood problem that had a marked impact on the community
I. The nominee performed with distinction as an Acting Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Chief, or non-sworn Supervisor or Manager
The Team Commendation Coin is awarded to any team, relief, or division member, who, as a group, went above and beyond their assigned work duties or responsibilities, meriting greater recognition than a Letter of Commendation, but not sufficient to merit an individual Commendation Medal or Distinguished Service Medal.
Subsequent awards received by an employee will be notated with an Oak leaf. The ribbon itself notates one award received by the recipient. A ribbon with one oak leaf represents two awards received by the recipient. Two oak leaves represent three awards received by the recipient and three oak leaves represent four awards received by the recipient. Five or more awards received by the recipient will be notated by the respective number placed on the ribbon.
Examples of multiple awards received:
2
3
4
The Education Ribbon is given to an Orem Police Department civilian employee or officer who has received at least an associate’s degree. Below is the notation for the highest degree obtained by the employee.
Associate
Bachelor
Masters
PhD
The Chief’s recognition ribbon/coin is presented to an Orem City civilian employee or officer who has shown excellence or consistency within their job and has gone above and beyond their job duties but does not reach the merit of a commendation or team commendation medal/ribbon.
Subsequent awards received by an employee will be notated with an Oak Leaf. The ribbon itself notates one award received by the recipient. A ribbon with one oak leaf represents two awards received by the recipient. Two oak leaves represent three awards received by the recipient and three oak leaves represent four awards received by the recipient. Five or more awards received by the recipient will be notated by the respective number placed on the ribbon.
The Officer of the Month ribbon is presented to an officer who has received the award of “Officer of the Month”. This award is given to an officer who was nominated by their sergeant, and their nomination was presented in the monthly sergeants meeting. Each sergeant nominates an officer, and after the nominations, the sergeants and patrol lieutenants vote on the nominees. The key to the vote is that the nominating sergeant CAN NOT vote for their nomination. The officer who receives the most votes will be awarded “Officer of the Month”.
Subsequent awards received by an employee will be notated with an Oak Leaf. The ribbon itself notates one award received by the recipient. A ribbon with one oak leaf represents two awards received by the recipient. Two oak leaves represent three awards received by the recipient and three oak leaves represent four awards received by the recipient. Five or more awards received by the recipient will be notated by the respective number placed on the ribbon.
Examples of multiple awards received:
1
2
3
The Military Veteran ribbon is presented to any Orem Police Department civilian employee or officer who has served in the military.
The Investigations ribbon is presented to an Orem Police civilian employee or officer who has served and was assigned to the investigations unit. This unit consists of investigating property crimes, and crimes against a person, COPD, NPU, MENT.
The Special Victims Unit ribbon is presented to an Orem Police Department civilian employee or officer who was assigned and served in the SVU unit. This unit is a branch of the investigations unit.
The Major Crimes Task Force (MCTF) ribbon is presented to an Orem Police Department civilian employee or officer who was assigned and served in this unit. The MCTF is a metro unit that specializes in minimizing the impact of illegal narcotics that are manufactured, sold, or transported throughout Orem as well as the State of Utah and sometimes the country. The SET team which is part of the MCTF, focuses specifically on what can be done to reduce the impact of illegal narcotics or criminal activity in the city of Orem.
This unit is a branch of the investigations unit.
The Field Training Officer or FTO ribbon is presented to an Orem Police Department officer who acts in the capacity of an FTO trainer. An FTO is responsible for training, and mentoring new officers for the department.
The Instructor ribbon is presented to an Orem Police Department civilian employee or officer who is certified to teach and instruct on a specific subject matter. This can be but is not limited to firearms, defensive tactics, mental health, emergency vehicle operations, less lethal, de-escalation, and arrest control.
The SWAT ribbon is presented to an Orem Police Department officer who has completed the SWAT assessment test and was selected to be on the Metro SWAT team.
The Negotiations ribbon is presented to an Orem Police Department civilian employee or officer who has been selected as a “negotiator” and has served on the Metro Negotiations team.
The Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) ribbon is presented to an Orem Police Department officer who has completed the DRE course and has been certified as a DRE expert.
The K9 Handler ribbon is presented to an Orem Police Department officer who has been selected to run a K9. This process requires the officer to be certified with their canine. These certifications can be for bomb detection, cadaver, narcotics, or apprehension.
The Honor Guard ribbon is presented to an Orem Police Department officer who has been selected to be on the Police Department’s Honor Guard.
The School Resource Officer (SRO) ribbon is presented to an Orem Police Department officer who has been selected and assigned to work in the city’s schools.
This unit is a branch of the investigations unit.
The Alcohol Officer ribbon is presented to an Orem Police Department Officer who was selected and served as the “Alcohol” officer. This officer’s main goal is to identify drivers on the roadway that are impaired or DUI.
The Peer Support ribbon is presented to an Orem Police Department civilian employee or officer who has been certified as a “peer support”. An employee who has been certified as a peer support representative can assist other employees who may be going through personal issues and provide them with a non-judgmental listening ear but also direction on how to receive help and additional support.
The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) ribbon is presented to an Orem Police Department civilian employee or officer who has successfully attended and completed the 40-hour CIT academy. This training is designed to help attendees learn more about mental health and the illness and challenges that those who may have it have to manage. De-escalation techniques as well as resources are provided in this training.
The Bilingual ribbon is presented to an Orem Police Department civilian employee or officer who speaks Spanish.
The Bike ribbon is presented to an Orem Police Department officer who has been selected, completed the Police Officer Bikes course and has served on the police department’s bike team.
The Superior Firearms ribbon is presented to an Orem Police Department officer who has scored in the superior category during a bi-annual firearms qualification at least once in their career as an Orem officer.
The Superior Fitness ribbon is presented to an Orem Police Department officer who has scored in the superior category during an annual fitness qualification at least once in their career as an Orem officer.