RIBBON APPURTENANCES
Representations and descriptions of the authorized appurtenance attachments for ribbon bars.
FIVE POINT STARS
BLUE STAR
Status: Active – Currently Issued
Description: Denotes the 2nd through 4th reception of any Department Award, excluding the Honorable Mention Ribbon Award and the Military Service Award in which case an oak leaf is used instead of a star. The Outside Governmental Agency Award is also excluded. A blue star also denotes the 6th through 9th reception of an award when used in combination with a silver or gold star.
In certain cases a single blue star will denote the first reception of an award. This only applies to the following awards:
- Chicago Police Leadership Award
- Department Commendation Award
- Lifesaving Award
- Police Blue Shield Award
- Police Blue Star Award
- Police Medal Award
- Police Officer of the Month Award
- Problem Solving Award
- Superintendent’s Award of Merit
- Superintendent’s Award of Valor
- Unit Meritorious Performance Award
SILVER STAR
Status: Active – Currently Issued
Description: Denotes the 5th reception of any Department Award, excluding the Honorable Mention Ribbon Award and the Military Service Award in which case an oak leaf is used instead of a star. The Outside Governmental Agency Award is also excluded. A silver star on the NATO Summit Service Award Special Recognition ribbon bar identifies Department Members assigned or detailed to the Mobile Field Force, Intelligence Section and the Area Central Bicycle Patrol Unit during the NATO Summit.
GOLD STAR
Status: Active – Currently Issued
Description: Denotes the 15th reception of any Department Award, excluding the Honorable Mention Ribbon Award and the Military Service Award in which case an oak leaf is used instead of a star. The Outside Governmental Agency Award is also excluded.
FOLDED FLAG
Status: Active – Currently Issued
Description: This appurtenance is dark blue in color, surrounded with a gold color border, and features four white stars. It has one star positioned at the top and three additional stars positioned across the lower border. The appurtenance measures 49/200 of an inch high, 17/50 of an inch wide, and 11/200 of an inch thick and shall be positioned in the center of the Honor Guard Award Ribbon.
OAK LEAF CLUSTERS
BRONZE OAK LEAF
Status: Active – Currently Issued
Description: Denotes the 90th through 149th reception of a Honorable Mention Ribbon Award. Also denotes the military service of a Department member when worn on the Military Service Award, in which case the bronze oak leaf cluster also denotes the 1st through 4th deployment within any branch of the United States Armed Services. In the case of the Military Service Award the oak leaf cluster replaces the use of a blue star. Also denotes years in grade for an FTO when worn on the Field Training Officer Service Award, in which case the bronze oak leaf cluster also denotes the 6th through 8th year serving as an FTO. This appurtenance is exclusive to the Field Training Officer Service Award, Honorable Mention Ribbon Award and Military Service Award.
SILVER OAK LEAF
Status: Active – Currently Issued
Description: Denotes the 150th and greater reception of a Honorable Mention Ribbon Award. Also denotes the military service of a Department member when worn on the Military Service Award, in which case the silver oak leaf cluster also denotes the 5th and greater deployment within any branch of the United States Armed Services. In the case of the Military Service Award the oak leaf cluster replaces the use of a blue star. Also denotes years in grade for an FTO when worn on the Field Training Officer Service Award, in which case the silver oak leaf cluster also denotes the 9th year and greater serving as an FTO. This appurtenance is exclusive to the Field Training Officer Service Award, Honorable Mention Ribbon Award and Military Service Award.