Merit Board

The Evansville Police Merit Commission is responsible for the selection and appointment of persons employed as active members of the Evansville Police Department.  The Police Merit Commission is also responsible for the bi-annual promotional process and final actions on recommended discipline.  Only the Commission can remove a member of the Evansville Police Department, however, the Mayor has the sole power of appointing and removing the Chief of Police and Assistant Chief of Police.

The Police Merit Commission was established in 1958.  The Commission consists of three civilian members.  One member is appointed by the Mayor, one member is appointed by the City Council, and one member is nominated by the active membership of the Evansville Police Department and is appointed by the Mayor.

The Sergeant assigned to the Personnel Unit serves as liaison to the Merit Commission.  The Personnel Unit is located at Police Headquarters, Room 129.

Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Phone:(812) 436-4947
Fax: (812) 436-4957

The Police Merit Commission recognizes and commends officers for outstanding and meritorious service demonstrated in the line of duty. Authorization of an award and determination of the degree of the award is a matter of judgment to be made by the Police Merit Commission.  There are six commendations as follows:

MEDAL OF VALOR

The Medal of Valor may be bestowed upon any member of the department for heroism, which occurred in the line of duty and under circumstances of extreme personal hazard.  The officer must have acted in the face of extreme personal danger, without hesitation or regard for his own life, and must engage in the action willingly and with full knowledge of the grave risks involved.  The act of heroism must be so clearly above and beyond the call of ordinary duty and so conspicuous an example of personal courage, that any lesser award would be inadequate. 

MERIT AWARDS

·       Gold Merit Award may be awarded to a member of the department who purposefully and in the line of duty performs with distinction, gallantry and courage.  The action or deed must be one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual and must have involved the risk of the member's life.

·       Silver Merit Award may be awarded to a member of the department who performs in a distinguished manner in the line of duty.  The action or deed must be one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual and must have involved the risk of serious personal injury to the member.

·        Bronze Merit Award may be awarded to a member of the department who purposefully and in the line of duty distinguishes himself by the performance of an act or acts of distinguished service or outstanding public service to be clearly above the expectations of regularly assigned job responsibilities.

·        Certificate of Merit Commendation is used for all other meritorious actions brought to the attention of the Police Merit Commission for service above normal but not meeting the requirements of the Bronze Award.

SERIOUS INJURY AWARD

      The Serious Injury Award may be awarded to any member of the department who is killed or wounded with serious physical injury in the line of duty.  It shall be awarded only by the order of the Police Merit Commission upon the recommendation of the Chief of Police.

      Serious physical injury includes a bodily injury, which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious permanent disfigurement or long-term impairment or loss of a bodily member or organ.