LASD Academy

[BoJackUSMC]

I was just wondering about LASD Academy. I have seen some pictures of some recruits wearing their military ribbons during academy. Is it just for academy only or are they allow to wear their ribbons anytime they want.
Thank you for your help.

Hoping Ron or Retired could answer this for me. Just curious.
It does look nice and fancy in the picture

In RSO we are allow to wear small military logo pin in our uniform.

[a308garand]

Usually only for special events or inspections. Typically when you get your class photo taken or graduation. Your D.I. will let you know when it is a good idea to wear them.

[Ron-Solo]

Department policy allows them to be worn on the Class A uniform at any time, but in practice it is usually only done on special occasions.

I worked with a guy who had received the Departments Medal of Valor, Medal for Bravery, and the Meritorious Service (Gold). Add in his Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Vietnamese Cross of Gallentry, and he had quite a collection.

The Department "Ribbons" are awkward to line up and it is time consuming to put them on. In addition to the various valor and distinguished service ribbons, each Division had ribbons, as well as FTO, marksmanship, etc. The only ones usually worn are the valor and distinguished service awards. The others are considered "participation" awards to most.

The ones that really mean something:

Medal of Valor. (red/white/blue)
ALADS Medal for Bravery. (red/blue)
Meritorious Conduct -Gold (blue/white)
Meritorious Conduct -Silver (red/white)
Lifesaving Award (blue/white/blue with red cross in center)
Distinguished Service Award(green/gold)
Meritorious Service Award (green/gold/green)
Exemplary Service Award (gold/green/gold)
Sheriff's Award (gold/green/gold) narrow stripe

The requirements for many of these awards are very strict, so you don't see them being worn very often. Second awards of the same level (very rare) are represented by another ribbon of the same. There is no "Oak Leaf Cluster" like the military uses.

When awarded, they have a ribbon for daily uniform wear. The ribbon is made of epoxy resin in colors to denote the award. The actual medal is only worn when presented, or at other functions "deemed appropriate by the Sheriff.". There is a smaller pin that can be worn on the lapel of business attire.

There is another pin that is often worn by vets. It is a badge and a US flag that says, US Verteran, Still Serving Proudly". It is a very nice looking pin.

Here is what some of those awards look like:

[RickD427]

Additionally, the LASD only authorizes the wearing of ribbons representling personal awards only. Many department members have improperly worn military ribbon bars containing all of their military ribbons.

Postscript - A better quote from LASD policy is "Awards and Decorations." LASD policy further restricts wear to those ribbons earned during wartime.

[Ron-Solo]

Additionally, the LASD only authorizes the wearing of ribbons representling personal awards only. Many department members have improperly worn military ribbon bars containing all of their military ribbons.

Did not know that...

[BoJackUSMC]

Thank you Ron Solo for your help sir.

[RickD427]

Did not know that...

Ron,

That issue came to me when one of my sergeants (an ex-Marine, Vietnam Vet) went on the warpath over the issue. If I remember the exact wording from the MPP it was only "Decorations and Awards" that could be worn on the LASD uniform. There is also language in the MPP that further restricts members to only wearing ribbons earned during wartime service.

I earned six rows of ribbons during my military service. Only about half of them could be properly worn on my sheriff's uniform, but then I only wore them once - that was at a veteran's memorial where the family requested.

[Ron-Solo]

Since I'm not a vet, I didn't keep up on a lot of the military stuff. Guys rarely wore them, and it was usually on Veterans Day, Memorial Day, etc.

I had a Captain give me a hassle about wearing two ribbons for the Medal for Bravery, saying I should only wear the Medal of Valor ribbon. He was wrong, since they are seperate awards, and there is no Oak Leaf Cluster for additional awards.

All he had were the ribbons you can buy for the divisions you worked. He gave the Admin Division the highest priority. In 30 years on the Departmnt, he had less than three in uniform patrol as a deputy, sergeant, and lieutenant. He was a back stabbing climber.

[RickD427]

Since I'm not a vet, I didn't keep up on a lot of the military stuff. Guys rarely wore them, and it was usually on Veterans Day, Memorial Day, etc.

I had a Captain give me a hassle about wearing two ribbons for the Medal for Bravery, saying I should only wear the Medal of Valor ribbon. He was wrong, since they are seperate awards, and there is no Oak Leaf Cluster for additional awards.

All he had were the ribbons you can buy for the divisions you worked. He gave the Admin Division the highest priority. In 30 years on the Departmnt, he had less than three in uniform patrol as a deputy, sergeant, and lieutenant. He was a back stabbing climber.

Ron,

I'm sorry that you had to work for a captain like that. I was lucky. In nearly all of my departmental assignments, I had very good command staffs to work for. In the very few instances where I didn't, I didn't stay very long.

[Ron-Solo]

Most of the places I worked I had very good command staff to work for, but there were two captains that had no ethics or morals. Both were weasels. Not bad for a 32 year career, and I only had to deal with those two for about a year each before they stabbed enough people in the back to move on. I was only a casualty once, but got out before anything too bad.

[SMarquez]

I went to a LASO Academy Graduation in 2008. I thought the military ribbons were a real touch of class that honored the vets in the class.

[Gnome]

I had a Captain give me a hassle about wearing two ribbons for the Medal for Bravery, saying I should only wear the Medal of Valor ribbon. He was wrong, since they are seperate awards, and there is no Oak Leaf Cluster for additional awards.

All he had were the ribbons you can buy for the divisions you worked. He gave the Admin Division the highest priority. In 30 years on the Departmnt, he had less than three in uniform patrol as a deputy, sergeant, and lieutenant. He was a back stabbing climber.

Most of the places I worked I had very good command staff to work for, but there were two captains that had no ethics or morals. Both were weasels. Not bad for a 32 year career, and I only had to deal with those two for about a year each before they stabbed enough people in the back to move on. I was only a casualty once, but got out before anything too bad.

Ron,

Drop their names! Are they still on!? C'mon, you're retired..!! Spill it!

[Ron-Solo]

Well, since one is the current Sheriff's Aide, and the Sheriff signs my CCW, I will do something they didn't. I will take the high road and not mention their names.

[Gnome]

Well, since one is the current Sheriff's Aide, and the Sheriff signs my CCW, I will do something they didn't. I will take the high road and not mention their names.

Dang. You narrowed it down some, but now I have to do some research

[TrailerparkTrash]

The Greene/gold ribbons are also looked upon as "desk-commando" awards too. Cheesy to wear and display them in most "ground pounder's" opinion.