It is the policy of the Bristol Police Department to recognize and reward employees who perform their duties in an exceptional manner, as well as honoring those employees or citizens who perform heroic or meritorious acts. On a monthly basis, the Award Committee meets to discuss the nominations made from the previous month. Each nomination is scrutinized and a determination made that the proper requisites have been met for each award. Based on the committees vote, the nominations are then forwarded to the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners for final approval.