Awards and Decorations are used to publicly recognize and reward an officer of this Bureau for extraordinary, outstanding, or exceptionally meritorious acts of heroism or other acts of service which are above and beyond those normally expected of the officer during the normal performance of his / her duties.  These acts distinguish the officer from others and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Williamsport Bureau of Police. 

In December of 1994, the Williamsport Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #29, established an awards committee to honor the members of the Williamsport Bureau of Police who provide outstanding service in the best interest to the citizens of the City of Williamsport.  These awards are worn proudly by those officers.

Any officer or citizen of Williamsport can nominate an officer for any of these awards and all are encouraged to do so.

Williamsport Police Awards and Citation

Medal of Honor - Awarded for an outstanding act in the line of duty at imminent personal hazard to life with full knowledge of the risk involved thereof. 

Combat Cross - Awarded for individual acts of heroism at imminent personal hazard of live, in combat with an armed adversary.

Wound Medal - Awarded for wounds received in the line of duty inflicted intentionally by an adversary and resulting in severe puncture wounds, lacerations, fractures, or concussions being suffered.

Legion of Honor - Awarded for a permanent injury in the line of duty involving wounds received while attempting an arrest of a suspect for a gunshot, traffic, or fire accidents.  Injuries preventing the officer from serving for 3 months or more.

Gallantry Star - Awarded for an act of distinguished bravery in the arrest of a person who is a major threat to the welfare of the community and or the officer.

Grand Cordon - Also referred to as the Department Citation.  This is awarded to the members of an operation, unit or group of officers cited for a specific action.

Meritorious Service - Awarded for a highly unusual accomplishment under adverse conditions with some degree of hazard to life or limb to the officer or where death or injury to a third party is prevented.

Life Saving - Awarded for acts performed in the line of duty with no regard for personal safety of the officer and / or prompt and alert action, resulting in the saving of a human life.

Exceptional Duty - Awarded for a highly credible accomplishment bringing public acclaim to the officer, the department, or the police profession as a result of duty or service to the public.

Honorable Service - Awarded for credible acts in the line of duty which meet some, but not all of the requirements for other awards and are unusual in nature, showing initiative.

Police Officer of the Quarter / Police Officer of the Year Award

In addition to these awards, the Bureau's Command Staff has instituted an award system for the Police Officer of the Quarter award, which is given each quarter of every calendar year to the most deserving Police Officer of the Bureau who continually has gone above and beyond the call of duty.  At the end of each calendar year, one officer is selected from the four previous officer's of the quarter and chosen as the Police Officer of the Year.