Police Commission approves awards list, upgrades Officer Arnoldo Aleman's medal to gold

The Police Commission on Jan. 11 approved the awards committee recommendations and unanimously upgraded one citation after a public presentation and vote.

Commissioners first approved the awards committee list after staff and counsel confirmed that nominees under consideration had no pending investigations related to the awards. During deliberations Commissioner Turman moved to upgrade Officer Arnoldo Aleman's nomination from a silver medal of valor to a gold medal of valor based on testimony from Captain Tim Falvey and other command staff that described Aleman's Feb. 2, 2016 response to a reported stabbing suspect.

Captain Falvey recounted Aleman's actions: he located a suspect, pursued him into a bank and parking lot, holstered his firearm when appropriate, used baton strikes while attempting de-escalation and successfully retained his weapon when the suspect grabbed at his holster; the captain said Aleman then secured the suspect with backup officers. "Officer Aleman demonstrated the highest level of situational awareness, restraint, and bravery in this incident," Falvey said.

Commissioners discussed the unusual step of overruling the command staff's initial award level but emphasized that the commission uses that power sparingly. After public comment was closed the commission called the roll; the motion to upgrade Aleman's award passed unanimously 6-0. The chair said a medals ceremony will be held Feb. 15 at the Scottish Rite Auditorium, Nineteenth and Sloat, beginning at 6 p.m.

The commission also committed to clarifying award-vetting criteria in the departmental general order and asked the city attorney’s office and staff to draft changes so future vetting is consistent and documented.