Police chief proposes new ‘medal of honor’ and awards revisions; council to codify by ordinance

Pompton Lakes’ police chief delivered detailed proposed changes to the borough’s awards ordinance, recommending creation of a medal of honor, a combat cross and clarifying language for existing awards such as the medal for valor and officer/civilian‑of‑the‑year.

The chief described the medal of honor as an award for “extraordinary heroism involving extreme and obvious risk” and compared it to high‑level decorations. “The medal of honor will be awarded to a member who performs an act of extraordinary heroism involving extreme and obvious risk to the officer's life above and beyond the call of duty,” the chief told the council.

The chief also proposed renaming and refining the language for the department’s highest existing award, the medal for valor, to ensure criteria and presentation are consistent. He said some awards require plaques, medals and ribboning and that he expects the initial awards under the revised ordinance to be presented publicly once orders for plaques and medals are completed.

Council members discussed whether other emergency response organizations should be included in the ordinance or continue to give awards through their own ceremonies. The mayor indicated deference to how departments prefer to present awards but supported codifying police awards to make them less arbitrary.

Next steps: the chief and administration will prepare ordinance language (an ordinance amendment was discussed) for formal introduction and council consideration; staff estimated some awards could be ready for presentation within a month if procurement proceeds quickly.