The Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police has numerous award programs, which culminate with award ceremonies during our two annual training conferences. The Award for Excellence in Traffic Safety, Excellence in Environmental Crimes Enforcement and the Legislator of the Year awards are all presented during our Mid-Winter Training Conference held each February.

The Awards and Citations and MLEEF Youth Scholarship Awards are presented at our Annual Training Conference each June. 

List of Presidential Medal Recipients >> PDF_red2

Awards & Citations


Awards presented are:


•    THE POLICE CROSS: To be awarded posthumously to an officer who has lost his/her life in the performance of his duty under honorable circumstances.

•    POLICE MEDAL OF HONOR:  To be awarded to a police officer who voluntarily distinguishes him/herself by extraordinary heroism.  Officer must be fully aware of the imminent threat to his personal safety and must have acted above and beyond the call of duty at the risk of his/her own life.

•    DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL: For exceptionally meritorious conduct involving exemplary courage, great risk and danger to the officer’s personal safety, but less than that required for the Medal of Honor.  May also be awarded for meritorious service in the performance of an assignment of great responsibility.  The excellence of such performance distinguishing both the officer and his/her department.

•    CITIZEN’S AWARD OF VALOR: Awarded to private citizens who voluntarily come to the aid of a police officer or another citizen at great personal risk to their own lives in situations arising out of criminal activity wherein the citizen involved has no personal motive or stake in the outcome.

•    PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL: The Presidential Medal is awarded for outstanding and extraordinary professional and personal service to the criminal justice system, the law enforcement profession and the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police.  Criteria for the award may include long term contributions to criminal justice and law enforcement via membership and involvement on MACP committees, boards or related bodies; sponsorship or stewardship of significant grant programs or legislation important to law enforcement; significant training accomplishments, or other widely recognized criminal justice endeavors or accomplishments.  The recipient’s activities shall be of such significance as to demonstrate a personal dedication and commitment above and beyond normal professional duties and interactions.  This award may be originated by any active-voting member of MACP and submitted to the Awards and Citations Committee for an evaluation and a determination of awarding the citation and medal.

Awards and Citations Application >>PDF_red2  Deadline April 13, 2012

Excellence in Environmental Crime Enforcement Awards


The Excellence in Environmental Crime Enforcement Awards Program was established in 2004. The Environmental Crime Committee of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police annually presents awards for outstanding work in the area of Environmental Crime Enforcement during the MACP Mid-Winter Training Conference. The awards are presented annually to honor those individuals, agencies, teams and partnerships that have demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the citizens of their community in the field of environmental crime enforcement during the calendar year preceding the award ceremony.

Awards are presented separately to non-environmental enforcement (traditional law enforcement) and environmental enforcement (DNRE, EPA, and like agencies) individuals, agencies, teams or community partnerships producing significant environment crime enforcement outcomes.  

Recipients of the awards receive a plaque, being are guest of honor at the MACP Mid-Winter Conference Banquet, and have their story summarized to the MACP membership.  A summary of their achievements are published in the Michigan Police Chiefs Magazine. 

MACP Award for Excellence in Traffic Safety

The Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police along with the Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) and AAA Michigan, present Awards for Excellence in Traffic Safety to recognize and reward the best overall traffic safety programs in the state.  The MACP Traffic Safety Committee is pleased to announce that in 2011 the requirements for the Awards for Excellence in Traffic Safety were expanded beyond just drunk driving, speed, and safety belts to include all traffic safety programs. To be considered for an award, law enforcement agencies must submit an application that documents their agency's efforts and effectiveness in conducting traffic safety programs.  The winning agencies received win grant funds from OHSP that allow local, county and state law enforcement agencies to purchase products used in traffic safety.

Applications for the Award for Excellence in Traffic Safety can be found on this website beginning in September of each year.
MLEEF Youth Scholarship

Michigan Law Enforcement Educational Fund Youth Scholarship

2012 MLEEF Youth Scholarship Application PDF_red2 >>  Deadline May 11, 2012

The Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police presents annually the Michigan Law Enforcement Educational Fund (MLEEF) Scholarship to a graduating Michigan High School senior. The student must be sponsored by their local Chief of Police, Director of Public Safety, Sheriff or MSP District / Post Commander. The sponsoring law enforcement agency head must be a member of MACP.

The amount that will be awarded for 2012 is $2,000.00.

Nomination Criteria and Procedure:
    Nominees should be selected through consideration of:
  • High scholastic standing;
  • High moral character;
  • A particular interest in governmental and civic affairs; and
  • A unique contribution to your community and/or active participation in school and community affairs.

    The Association will furnish nomination forms to any law enforcement agency.  These forms are to be used to identify deserving nominees and the department may use any selection process they desire.  You and the student must use the form provided by the Association. Forms that have been re-formatted into another style or form will not be accepted.  They are restricted, however, to one nomination per law enforcement agency.

Presentation of the Award
The presentation of the Michigan Youth Scholarship Award is made each year at the Association’s annual meeting.  Overnight accommodations for recipient and his/her parents for the day of the award ceremony at the Annual Conference will be paid by the Association.



History of the Michigan Law Enforcement Educational Fund
Annual Youth Scholarship Award


At the 1969 Annual Conference of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, the Michigan Youth Citizenship Award Program was established.  An award is presented annually to a Michigan high school youth, preferably a graduating senior, who has shown himself or herself, to be an outstanding citizen and who meets the criteria outlined below.  Beginning in 1989 the award has been funded by the Michigan Law Enforcement Educational Fund, Inc.  Further, the award has become a scholarship with the check for $2,000 made out jointly to the recipient and the college or university the recipient selects.

It is the intent of this scholarship program to:
  • Encourage civic responsibility;
  • Promote better understanding and relationships between high school age citizens and law enforcement agencies in Michigan;
  • Encourage greater participation in governmental and community affairs by high school age citizens;
  • Recognize publicly an outstanding high school citizen, thereby both honoring him, or her, and bringing to public attention an example of the constructive contributions in civic affairs being made by our youth.
Legislator of the Year

MACP Legislator of the Year / Public Servant of the Year

This is a prestigious award and is highly regarded by those who receive it.  We bestow this award only in recognition of legislators or public servants who are committed to creating a body of laws that enhance the profession of law enforcement, holds criminals accountable, and provide justice to victims of crime.

Prior recipients comprise a distinguished list of Michigan legislators. Since 1981 the following individuals have been recognized for their commitment to law enforcement.

List of Past Recipients >> PDF_red2