insignia

Other Designations and Insignia

9-11-01

Shortly after the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001, Chief

G. Curt Willocks ordered all uniformed officers to

wear this emblem proclaiming that "we will never

forget." This insignia is still a part of our uniform

today, and it is worn above all other medals above

the right breast pocket.

Time in Service

To recognize time in service, officers wear a "serving

since" bar under their name plate above the right

breast pocket. In addition, hash marks on the sleeve

of the class-A dress uniform each represent three

years of service with the Gulfport Police Department.

Accreditation

Because the Gulfport Police Department is

accredited by the Commission for Florida Law

Enforcement Accreditation, all members wear the

designating emblem on the left breast pocket flap.

Florida Police Chiefs Association

The badge

The police badge represents many things. Early knights carried shields with emblems

respective of their dedication to service of their kingdoms. The shield became a symbol of

their primary mission--to protect the innocent. Today, that tradition carries on, although in a

more manageable package.

Those who wear the badge of the Gulfport Police Department have proven through a highly-

selective screening process that they deserve the honor associated with such a symbol.

The men and women working in our community take great pride in this badge and all that it

represents.

The overall shape remains that of a shield, but it bears a wreath representative of

compassion and an eagle indicating strength and courage. The seal of the State of Florida

sits amidst the blue enameled ribbons designating the wearer as a police officer, detective,

sergeant, lieutenant, or chief. The badge and all other insignia for police officers and

detectives is silver. Once promoted to the rank of sergeant, the badge and insignia are

colored gold.

Rank

Chief

The Chief of Police is the executive director

and commander of all police resources. The

rank is designated with insignia consisting of

two gold stars worn on the shoulder epaulet.

Lieutenant

Lieutenants are division commanders, leading

either the Patrol or Investigative Services

Divisions and their various sub-components.

Either of the two lieutenants may be called to

serve in the absence of the Chief of Police.

The rank is designated with insignia consisting

of a single gold bar worn on the shoulder epaulet.

Sergeant

Sergeants lead the various operational units

of the police department. Four of them supervise

patrol squads, one leads the investigative unit,

and another coordinates the policy compliance

functions of the office of the chief. The rank is

designated with insignia consisting of three

gold chevrons worn on the uniform sleeve.

Awards (listed in order of honor)

Medal of Valor

Recognition by the department for an act

or series of acts of bravery or valor in the

face of extreme personal danger in the

performance of duty.

Officer/Employee of the Year

Designation by the department for a single

individual for significant contributions to the

mission of the department during the past year.

Lifesaving Medal

Recognition by the department for an act which

is determined to have significantly contributed

to saving the life of another.

Purple Heart

Recognition by the department for incurring

bodily injury as a result of a hostile act by an

offender. To qualify for this award, the member

must be acting in the lawful performance of his

or her duty, and the injury should be serious

enough to warrant medical treatment.

Meritorious Service Award

Recognition by the department for a series of acts

or continuous service that exemplifies outstanding

performance of one's duty. This is differentiated

from a Commendation in that this award recognizes

longer-term projects consisting of individual acts

that may not rise to the level of a commendation, but

exemplify outstanding performance when taken as a

whole.

Community Service Award

Recognition by the department for outstanding effort

on the part of an employee for community service in

the City of Gulfport, such as repeated interaction with

citizen's or neighborhood groups to solve problems,

working with youth, the disabled, or the elderly to

improve the quality of life.

Commendation

Recognition by the department for an act that

exemplifies outstanding performance of one’s duty.

Achievement Medals

Safe Driving Award

Recognition by the Department for 3, 5 and 10

years of driving without the occurrence of a

preventable motor vehicle crash.

Master's Degree

Recognition for earning a master's degree from a

regionally-accredited college or university.

Bachelor's Degree

Recognition for earning a bachelor's degree from a

regionally-accredited college or university. Even though

it is not required for selection, over one third of our

officers have earned this achievement.

Military Service

Recognition for members who are currently assigned

to a reserve or National Guard component of one of

the armed forces, or those who have been honorably

discharged from one of the armed services after

completion of at least two years of service.

FBI National Academy

Recognition for members who have graduated from

the FBI National Academy

Law Enforcement Instructor

Recognition for members who have been certified by

the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training

Commission to instruct general law enforcement

subjects at a certified training center.

Advanced Certification

Recognition of certification for traffic homicide,

breath test operator, accreditation management,

crime prevention practitioner, or selected

investigation certification such as homicide, sex

offenses, etc. as determined by the chief of police.

Field Training Officer

Recognition for members currently serving as field

training officers or field training supervisors. These

personnel are responsible for the initial training of new

recruits.

Marine Patrol Officer

Recognition for officers currently certified and actively

involved in marine patrol.

School Resource Officer

Recognition for officers who have either completed a 40-

hour School Resource Officer course or who are currently

serving as school resource officers.

Tactical Unit Member

Recognition for officers currently serving as active

members on the agency's Special Enforcement Team.