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ARPOC Awards Program & Criteria

The California Reserve Peace Officers Association is proud to present the Annual Awards Program.

We invite you to nominate a deserving member of your organization for one of several recognition awards.

​The ARPOC Awards, presented by the California Reserve Peace Officers Association (CRPOA), honor the exceptional service and dedication of individuals in law enforcement.

Each year, CRPOA acknowledges these exemplary individuals during the Annual Reserve Peace Officers Conference (ARPOC). The awards celebrate those who have gone above and beyond in their duties, making significant contributions to their communities and the field of law enforcement.

Awards are presented each year at the Annual Reserve Peace Officers Conference (ARPOC).

Award recipients are honored during the conference general session.

Do not miss out on an opportunity to honor a deserving individual within your organization.

Review the award nomination information to determine which award is best suited to your nominee.

Along with the Award Nomination Application, a letter of nomination must be submitted detailing the nominee’s qualifications and accomplishments. Documentation supporting the nomination letter must be included.

Questions can be forwarded to tozer@crpoa.org.

Nominations for the 2026 awards closed on July 3, 2026. The 2027 nomination window and deadline will be posted here once they are set.

We look forward to receiving your nominations for 2027.

View the ARPOC 2026 Recap

Important note to nominators:

Nominators for any CRPOA award shall be:

  • A chief executive of a law enforcement agency; or,
  • A full-time officer who serves as a reserve coordinator; or
  • A General Member of the Association.

When submitting a nomination please review the awards criteria thoroughly to assure that your nominee meets the criteria. You may submit a nomination for the highest possible award for which you believe your nominee meets the criteria.

The Awards Committee may determine that your nominee qualifies for the category nominated or may select the nominee to be recognized in a different category. For example, a candidate nominated for Reserve Officer of the Year might receive that award, or may be honored with the Meritorious Service Award or other qualifying award.

Nominations packets must include:

  • An application, completed and legible.
  • A letter of nomination summarizing the qualifications of the candidate for a specific award.
  • Documentation supporting qualifications, such as awards, certificates, commendations, letters.
  • Nominators must also assure that information provided for contact for award notification is current.

Incomplete nominations packets may not be considered; however, the Awards Committee will notify nominators of incomplete nominations.

Nominations must be submitted to the Awards Committee on the CRPOA website. Questions or assistance with online submission can be addressed with Mark Tozer at tozer@crpoa.org.

Once the application is submitted online, you will receive an email  confirmation. If you do not receive confirmation of receipt of the nomination packet within 48 hours, contact Mark Tozer at tozer@crpoa.org.

Any questions about the nomination process can also be forwarded to Nancy Elam by email at nancy@crpoa.org

The 2026 nomination period closed on July 3, 2026. The 2027 nomination window will be posted on this page once it is set. 

Questions? Email tozer@crpoa.org

Award for Valor

For an act of conspicuous bravery in the line of duty, performed in conscious disregard of peril to the officer. To be awarded, all of the following criteria must exist:

  • The bravery exhibited must be above and beyond that expected in the line of duty.
  • Failure to take such action would not justify censure.
  • The risk to the officer's life actually existed and the officer was able to perceive the risk and disregard it.
  • The objective was of sufficient importance to justify the risk.
  • The officer accomplished the objective or was prevented from accomplishing it by incurring serious injury or death.

Notes:

  • The criteria for this award include consciousness of the peril and the disregard thereof. Thus, merely finding oneself in the middle of a perilous situation and having to take action to get out of it would not qualify.
  • There is no limit to the number of qualifying awards.
  • May be awarded to a reserve peace officer, search and rescue member or volunteer in policing. - The nominee does not need to be a CRPOA member.
  • The act must have occurred between June 1, 2023 and May 31, 2026, inclusive.

Award of Honor

Presented to the family of a reserve peace officer, search and rescue member or volunteer in policing whose life was given in the line of duty due to the action of a third party.

Notes:

  • This award recognizes supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. It does not require that the officer knowingly placed himself or herself in a perilous situation nor does it require an act of heroism in order to be awarded. It does require the action of a third party in causing the death.
  • There is no limit to the number of qualifying awards. In an appropriate case, an Award for Valor and an Award of Honor could be made for the same action.
  • May be awarded to a reserve peace officer, search and rescue member or volunteer in policing. - The decedent need not have been a CRPOA member.
  • The death must have occurred between June 1, 2023 and May 31, 2026, inclusive.

Meritorious Service Award

For especially meritorious service to the department in a duty of great responsibility. The duty may be either assigned or self- initiated. Superior performance of the normal duties of the position will not alone justify the award. Considerations for the award include all areas of:

  • Outstanding performance of the officer's duties either in a single act or over time
  • Extraordinary level of assistance to the reserve unit and/or the department
  • Extraordinary level of service to the community;
  • Training or teaching within the department
  • Longevity with the department.

Notes:

  • The nominee must be a general member of CRPOA on the date the nomination is received.
  • There is no limit to the number of qualifying awards.
  • The qualifying actions must occur between June 1, 2023 and May 31, 2026, inclusive.

Distinguished Service Award

For distinguished service by a reserve officer, SAR member or volunteer in policing. Considerations for the award include one or more of the following:

  • Distinguished service either in a single act or over time
  • Substantial assistance to the reserve unit and/or the department
  • Substantial service to the community
  • Training or teaching within the department
  • Longevity with the department

Notes:

  • The nominee must be a general member of CRPOA on the date the nomination is received.
  • There is no limit to the number of qualifying awards.
  • The qualifying actions must occur between June 1, 2023 and May 31, 2026 inclusive.

Coordinator of the Year

Presented to the coordinator of reserve peace officers, search and rescue members or volunteers in policing who excels in:

  • Displaying a strong commitment to the unit
  • Dedication to the enhancement of the professionalism and training of the unit members
  • Promoting a positive image of unit members within the department and the community
  • Demonstrating efforts to use unit members in non-traditional roles or assignments

Notes:

  • The nominee must be a full-time employee of the department in which he or she serves as the coordinator of a reserve peace officer, search and rescue or volunteer in policing unit.
  • The nomination must be made from within the unit supervised by the nominee. It may not be made by the department or by another full-time employee of the department. Supporting letters from the department are encouraged.
  • Only one qualifying award shall be presented.
  • The qualifying service must occur prior to May 31, 2026.

Reserve Officer of the Year, Search and Rescue Member of the Year, &/or Volunteer in Policing of the Year

Awarded to the nominee excelling in all the qualifications for the Meritorious Service Award which place the reserve officer/search and rescue member/volunteer in policing clearly above all other candidates.

Notes:

  • Only one qualifying award shall be made each year for each of three categories: reserve peace officer, search and rescue member and volunteer in policing.
  • The nominee must be a general member of CRPOA on the date the nomination is received.
  • The qualifying actions must occur prior to May 31, 2026.

Award of Appreciation

For distinguished service to the members of the California Reserve Peace Officers Association.

Considerations for the award include:

  • Distinguished service to the Association either in a single act or over time
  • Substantial assistance or contribution to the Association

Notes:

  • There is no limit to the number of qualifying awards.
  • The qualifying actions must occur between June 1, 2023 and May 31, 2026, inclusive.
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