Those bars, above the Police Officer's badge, are departmental awards or Citation Bar Decorations. The Citation Bars are awarded through nominations from fellow officers, supervisors, or the officer him or herself. These citations are awarded for bravery, intelligence, quick thinking, and teamwork while performing his/her duties. Below, are the citations bars that the North Plainfield Police Department award and a brief description regarding their meaning.

The Medal of Honor is awarded to a member of the Police Department who intelligently, in the line of duty, distinguishes himself by the performance of an act of gallantry and intrepidity with imminent personal hazard of life with knowledge of the risk assumed, above and beyond the call of duty. Additional awards of Divisional Medal of Honor shall be indicated by a gold oak-leaf worn above the cluster of stars on the ribbon from which the medal is suspended and by a similar oak-leaf placed in the center of the breast bar.

The Combat Cross Medal is awarded to a member of the Police Department for successful performance of an act of extraordinary heroism while engaged in personal combat with an armed adversary with imminent personal hazard of life in the intelligent performance of duty. Additional awards for the Combat Cross shall be indicated by a gold palm leaf worn in the center of the ribbon from which the medal is suspended and by a similar gold palm leaf placed in the center of the breast bar.

The Medal for Meritorious Duty is awarded to a member of the Police Department for outstanding acts of personal bravery and intelligent performance in the line of duty under circumstances evincing disregard of personal consequences. Additional awards for the Meritorious Service Medal will be shown by a gold star placed on the prescribed breast bar. A gold oak-leaf shall be used to indicate a third award.

Bar is awarded to a member of the Police Department when, through diligence and perseverance, he performs a difficult task by which crimes are prevented, life and property protected, criminals apprehended or when his meritorious performance reflects credit to himself and to the Department. Additional awards for the Excellent Duty Medal will be shown by a gold star placed on the prescribed bar. A gold oak-leaf shall be used to indicate a third award.

The Combat Cross Medal is awarded to a member of the Police Department for successful performance of an act of extraordinary heroism while engaged in personal combat with an armed adversary with imminent personal hazard of life in the intelligent performance of duty. Additional awards for the Combat Cross shall be indicated by a gold palm leaf worn in the center of the ribbon from which the medal is suspended and by a similar gold palm leaf placed in the center of the breast bar.

The Unit Citation Commendation Bar is awarded to Department members who have acted in concert with one another to bring about a successful outcome that has promoted the public safety and reflected credit to the department.

The Year Bar is awarded to a member of the Police Department with five years of honorable service and elevated in increments of five years.

The Veterans Bar is awarded to a member of the Police Department who has honorably served in one of the armed forces of the United States on active duty.

A gold oak leaf cluster is used to denote subsequent awards of up to three consisting of a miniature gold twig of four oak leaves.

A miniature gold star that is used to denote a subsequent single award.