News Flash

DURHAM, N.C. - The Durham Police Department (DPD) will honor 37 individuals for above and beyond public safety service at its annual service awards ceremony on Thursday, May 23, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. This year’s ceremony will be held at the Durham County Human Services Building, 414 E. Main Street. Service award recipients include police department employees (police officers and non-sworn staff) as well as residents who have helped to advance the ideals of law enforcement and public safety in extraordinary ways. Four new awards will be presented this year - Civilian Supervisor of the Year; Sworn Supervisor of the Year; Unit of the Year; and Investigator of the Year.

At the ceremony the department’s Executive Command Staff will present each recipient a specially crafted medal or plaque that signifies his or her achievement. This year’s ceremony also includes presentation of seven Community Service Medals; six Distinguished Service Medals; eight Certificates of Merit; two Civilian Employee of the Year medals; Unit of Year recognition; two Investigator of the Year medals; one Civilian Supervisor of the Year medal; one Officer of the Year medal; one Purple Heart; and two Police Medals. The Police Medal is the highest distinction presented to members of the general public, who apprehend or cause to be apprehended dangerous persons at grave and/or imminent danger to themselves; or to community members who perform an act that warrants such recognition.

DPD’s Service Awards History

The police department implemented an annual service awards ceremony in 2010. A committee of DPD employees reviews and votes on award nominations received internally and from the public. DPD’s service awards event is usually held in May as part of the department’s National Police Week observance. National Police Week 2019 is Sunday, May 12 through Saturday, May 17, 2019.