The commission must issue certificates and adopt rules for achievement awards for certain licensed law-enforcement personnel, with recommendations required and a cap of 20 award incidents or accomplishments per year.
Sec. 1701.401. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT. (a) In this section: (1) "Professional achievement" includes an instance in which an individual through personal initiative, fixity of purpose, persistence, or endeavor creates a program or system that has a significant positive impact on the law enforcement profession that exceeds the normal expectations of job performance. (2) "Public service" includes an instance in which an individual through initiative creates or participates in a program or system that has a significant positive impact on the general population of a community that exceeds the normal expectations of job performance. (3) "Valor" includes an act of personal heroism or bravery that exceeds the normal expectations of job performance, including placing one's own life in jeopardy to save another person's life, to prevent serious bodily injury to another, or to prevent the consequences of a criminal act. (b) The commission shall issue certificates that recognize professional achievement. For this purpose the commission shall use the employment records of the employing agency. (c) The commission shall adopt rules for issuing achievement awards to peace officers, reserve peace officers, jailers, custodial officers, or telecommunicators who are licensed by the commission. The commission's rules shall require recommendations from an elected official of this state or a political subdivision, an administrator of a law enforcement agency, or a person holding a license issued by the commission. (d) The awards shall be given in the name of this state and presented at the State Capitol during May of each year. At a minimum the award shall consist of a document, an appropriate medal, and a ribbon suitable for wearing on a uniform. (e) The awards shall be issued in three areas: valor, public service, and professional achievement. (f) The commission may present awards relating to not more than a total of 20 incidents and accomplishments each year. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 174 (H.B. 1492), Sec. 1, eff. May 27, 2009. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 968 (H.B. 1951), Sec. 9, eff. January 1, 2014.