POLICY STATEMENT 119

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER RETIREMENT AWARDS POLICY

Prepared by: Winfield J. Hunter

Supersedes: 4/23/1998

Adopted by Council: 5/26/2005

Effective: 5/26/2005

POLICY PURPOSE:

The purpose is to allow the award of a retiring law enforcement officer's badge of office and service firearm to be completed in a consistent and lawful manner.  Awards to the surviving spouses or family members of officers who lose their lives in the performance of duties is also covered as are disability-related retirement awards.

DEFINITIONS:

Badge of Office:  The shield or badge worn or carried by the retiring officer at the time of his/her separation from office.

Service Firearm:  Normally refers to the sidearm issued to the retiring officer and carried by said officer during the officer's tenure with the agency.  For purposes of this policy, the service weapon to be presented will be the particular model firearm actually carried by the officer at the time of his/her separation from office.

N.C. General Statues:  State laws codified through the session laws of the N.C. General Assembly.

Governing Board:  For purposes of this policy, shall mean the Town Council of the Town of Cary .

POLICY:

Pursuant to N.C. General Statute 20-187.2, it shall be the policy of the Town of Cary to award the badge of office to any duly authorized law enforcement officer upon his/her service retirement or disability retirement at no cost to the retiring officer.  Such award should be officially requested in writing by the retiring officer.

Likewise, any surviving spouse or qualifying family member may request the award of the badge of office of any officer losing his/her life due to the performance of duty or who otherwise deceases while in office.  Such request should be in written form and coordinated through the office of the Chief of Police.

The Service Firearm of any retiring officer shall be awarded pursuant to the conditions as set forth in N.C.G.S. 20-187.2.  Unless specifically precluded upon recommendation of the Town Manager, the price to the retiring officer shall be $100.  Such award should be requested in written form and coordinated through the office of the Chief of Police.

The Service Firearm of any officer suffering loss of life from the performance of duty or who shall decease while on active duty shall be awarded to the surviving spouse or qualifying family member as defined in N.C.G.S. 20-187.2 upon satisfaction of the conditions as set forth in said statute for such awards.  Unless specifically precluded upon recommendation of the Town Manager, the price of such award shall be $1.00.  Such award request should be in written form and coordinated through the office of the Chief of Police.

Other awards may be made at the discretion of the Police Department and the Town of Cary as are consistent with state law and municipal regulations.

COMMENTARY:  It is the intention of the Town of Cary to make the awards as stated herein in compliance with state law and local requirements and in a gesture of appreciation and respect from a grateful community for commendable service.

This policy shall remain in effect unless and until superseded by action of the state's legislature or the governing board.