First Responders Gala & Awards
2026 Award Criteria
Award Categories
Leadership and Service Award
Recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, and dedication in serving their organization and community.
- Exemplary leadership within their profession.
- Commitment to public safety and community well-being.
- Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and mentorship.
- Lasting positive impact on colleagues and the community.
Above and Beyond Award
Honours an individual who consistently exceeds expectations through exceptional dedication and service.
- Demonstrates extraordinary commitment beyond the normal scope of duty.
- Makes significant contributions to their organization or community.
- Inspires others through initiative, compassion, and professionalism.
- Has a measurable positive impact on those they serve.
Leadership in Policing Award
Recognizes an outstanding police leader who has advanced excellence in policing through innovation, professionalism, and community engagement.
- Demonstrates exceptional leadership within policing.
- Promotes ethical, inclusive, and community-focused policing.
- Mentors and develops future leaders.
- Advances public trust and organizational excellence.
Community Champion Award
Recognizes an individual who has made a significant and lasting contribution to improving the lives of others through community leadership and service.
- Demonstrates exceptional commitment to community service.
- Builds meaningful partnerships within the community.
- Creates positive opportunities for youth, families, or vulnerable populations.
- Inspires others through leadership and volunteerism.
Rising Star Award
Recognizes an emerging leader who has demonstrated exceptional promise early in their career.
- Shows outstanding dedication and professionalism
- Demonstrates leadership potential and initiative.
- Positively impacts colleagues and the community.
- Serves as a role model for future leaders.
Mental Health Leadership Award
Recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to promoting mental health and wellness among first responders.
- Champions mental health awareness and education.
- Supports initiatives that improve the well-being of first responders.
- Reduces stigma surrounding operational stress injuries and PTSD.
- Demonstrates compassion, advocacy, and leadership.
Legacy of Service Award
Honours an individual whose career reflects a lifetime of distinguished service and dedication.
- Demonstrates decades of outstanding service.
- Has made lasting contributions to their profession and community.
- Exemplifies integrity, leadership, and selfless service.
- Leaves a legacy that inspires future generations.
Leadership in Community Policing Award
Recognizes excellence in strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
- Demonstrates outstanding community engagement.
- Builds trust through collaboration and transparency.
- Develops innovative community policing initiatives.
- Improves public safety through partnerships.
Excellence in Collaborative Policing Award
Recognizes individuals or teams who have demonstrated exceptional collaboration to enhance public safety.
- Builds strong partnerships across agencies and organizations.
- Promotes teamwork and shared problem-solving.
- Demonstrates innovation through collaboration.
- Achieves measurable outcomes that benefit the community.
General Eligibility
All nominees, regardless of award category, should demonstrate
- Outstanding professionalism and integrity.
- Leadership within their profession or community.
- A commitment to public service.
- A positive and lasting impact on those they serve.
- Values that reflect the mission of the Dwivedi Foundation and support the well-being of first responders.
Celebrate Those Who Serve with Courage
Join us in recognizing outstanding individuals whose commitment continues to inspire our communities.
Award Comparison Chart
Use this chart to quickly identify the award category that best fits a nominee.
| Award | Primary Focus | Open To | What Sets It Apart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leadership and Service Award | Leadership + integrity | Individual | Broadest leadership award; combines profession-wide impact with mentorship. |
| Above and Beyond Award | Exceeding duty | Individual | Centers on going beyond the job description in a specific act or pattern of service. |
| Leadership in Policing Award | Policing leadership | Individual (Police) | Policing-specific; emphasizes innovation and public trust within law enforcement. |
| Community Champion Award | Community service | Individual | Open to any role; focused on tangible community/volunteer impact, not rank or profession. |
| Rising Star Award | Early-career promise | Individual (Early-career) | Reserved for early-career nominees showing potential rather than a long track record. |
| Mental Health Leadership Award | Mental health advocacy | Individual | Specific to mental health/wellness initiatives and stigma reduction for first responders. |
| Legacy of Service Award | Career-long legacy | Individual (Career-long) | Requires a career-spanning (often multi-decade) body of work, not a single achievement. |
| Leadership in Community Policing Award | Community-police relations | Individual (Police) | Narrower than Leadership in Policing; specifically about police-community trust and engagement. |
| Excellence in Collaborative Policing Award | Cross-agency collaboration | Individual or Team | Only award open to teams; emphasizes inter-agency partnership over individual leadership. |