![]() ![]() The same was accomplished by way of notations in official city and department records, a written order or citation, or the addition the officer’s name to a roll of merit. The first step for the police department was to publicly acknowledge and document those who distinguished themselves with valor in the performance of duty. Their decision may have been influenced by the following facts: 1) the aforementioned article about London’s force, 2) in 1861 the United States Navy and Army had each established Medals of Honor for individual members, 3) during and after the Civil War there were many examples of individual heroism and valor which were recognized by the awarding of medals, and 4) the sight of uniformed men adorned with medals must have been an impressive sight to behold. The Act did not provide for the awarding of medals by the department and forbade its police officers from receiving any reward for “meritorious and extraordinary services.” Step 1: Circa 1865 – Recognition by Honorable Mention Shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War, the New York City Board of Police Commissioners began to consider, and favor, the concept of recognizing and awarding medals for acts of valor. A point was made that since the creation of the London’s Police Commission, such influence was greatly diminished and that promotions henceforth should be made on the basis of “merit,” rather than “favor.” But how would such “merit” be recognized and recorded? An Act to Establish the Metropolitan Police District was passed on April 15, 1857. The article stated that the same should apply to New York City’s police department and in every branch of public service. The order acknowledged the improper influence of private citizens in the appointments and promotions of police officers and ordered that no such influence be tolerated upon penalty of dismissal from the police force. In a 1853 New York City newspaper, an article containing an order issued by the Commissioners of Police, Metropolitan Police Office, London, England appeared which may have influenced the city, and its police regarding promotions and merit. Time has proven that there was, and remains, good and ample reasoning behind the decisions to mark those heroic and courageous acts by men and women. Others held the position that there was an ethical and moral obligation to recognize those worthy individuals, who went beyond what was expected of them, in the extraordinary performance of their duties. ![]() It is believed that military and police commanders of the period felt that awarding medals may create animosity, jealousy, and accusations of favoritism amongst the men. There were no official police department medals awarded until after the end of the Civil War in May 1865. It was not until 1845 that The City of New York created a well organized police force. Previously published articles, as well as an excellent book published in 2003, have addressed the MOH, but none of these sources addressed the fact that one version of the medal was modeled after a Fire Department of New York (FDNY) medal. Mayor Awards Medals to “Roll of Honor” Men What’s the Deal With: The Creation & Evolution of the NYPD’s “Medal of Honor?” New Facts Revealed! Introduction and Background The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the highest order of recognition of the City of New York Police Department (NYPD), and the information that follows is a comprehensive examination of its origin and evolution. ![]()
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