Circular No. 23/2011/TT-BCA detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Government's Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP dated April 15, 2010 on the work of competition and rewards in the People's Public Security force, village police, and civilian defense, and the nationwide movement to protect national security.

CIRCULAR

Detailed implementation of certain provisions of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP dated April 15, 2010 of the Government on competition and reward work in the People's Public Security, village police, neighborhood watch, and the nationwide people's movement for national security.

of the Government on competition and reward work in the People's Public Security, village police,

neighborhood watch, and the nationwide people's movement for national security.

____________________________

Pursuant to the Law on Competition and Reward dated November 26, 2003 and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward dated June 14, 2005;

Pursuant to the Ordinance on Village Police dated November 21, 2008;

Pursuant to Decree No. 38/2006/NĐ-CP dated April 17, 2006 of the Government on Neighborhood Watch;

Pursuant to Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP dated April 15, 2010 of the Government detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward;

Pursuant to Decree No. 77/2009/NĐ-CP dated September 15, 2009 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Public Security;

After reaching consensus with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security issues this Circular detailing the implementation of certain provisions of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP dated April 15, 2010 of the Government on competition and reward work in the People's Public Security, village police, neighborhood watch, and the nationwide people's movement for national security as follows:

Part I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular details the implementation of certain provisions of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP dated April 15, 2010 of the Government detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward (hereinafter referred to as Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP), including: subjects, titles, criteria for titles of competition; subjects, forms, criteria for rewards; procedures, files for requesting rewards; competition and reward funds in the People's Public Security, village police, neighborhood watch, and the nationwide people's movement for national security.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to collectives and individuals in the People's Public Security; village police, neighborhood watch, and the nationwide people's movement for national security.

Article 3. Principles of competition and reward, grounds for awarding titles of competition and reward

1. The principles of competition and reward and the grounds for awarding titles of competition and reward shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 and Article 4 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP.

2. The awarding of titles of competition shall be conducted openly, from the grassroots level upwards, in accordance with the prescribed subjects, criteria, quantity, and ratio.

3. Rewards shall ensure accuracy, focusing on grassroots units, subordinate units, and individuals directly engaged in work and combat.

Article 4. Specific cases eligible for consideration for titles of competition

1. Female employees on maternity leave according to the State regulations; those injured while on duty and required to take time off for treatment and recuperation as concluded by health authorities.

2. Cases of attending school or training:

a) Individuals attending short-term training under one year, if they achieve results at least satisfactory and comply well with the regulations of the training institution, may combine their time working at the unit to evaluate for titles of competition.

b) Cases attending training for one year or more, achieving satisfactory academic results, shall be rated equivalent to the title "Advanced Worker" or "Advanced Soldier" for that year.

3. Cases of transferring to a new workplace:

An individual transferred to a new workplace shall have the new unit responsible for considering and voting for titles of competition based on the assessment opinion of the previous unit (in cases where the individual worked at the previous unit for six months or more).

Article 5. Cases not to be considered for commendation or awarding of commendations

1. Cases not to be considered for commendation:

a) Collectives and individuals who have not registered for commendation.

b) Collectives within subordinate units of the base.

c) Units newly established and have not operated for at least 12 months up to the time of summarizing the annual commendation.

d) Individuals who fail to complete their tasks, newly recruited individuals under 10 months, or individuals who have taken more than 40 working days off during the year (except for cases specified in Clause 1, Article 4 of this Circular).

2. Cases not to be considered for commendation or awarding of commendations:

Collectives and individuals who have been disciplined but the disciplinary period has not yet expired.

3. Cases not to be considered for commendation or awarding of commendations:

Collectives and individuals with complaints, accusations, or media reports about violations or negative practices that have not been concluded; those currently being investigated for disciplinary action or legal proceedings.

After concluding that there is no violation warranting disciplinary action or legal proceedings, they may be considered for commendation or awards according to regulations.

4. Youth organizations, women's organizations, trade unions, and professional associations within the People's Public Security shall not be awarded annual commendations as stipulated in this Circular.

Article 6. Responsibilities for organizing the competition movement

1. The Minister of Public Security shall organize and direct the competition movement among the People's Public Security, Village Police, and Neighborhood Watch, and the nationwide people's movement to protect national security and social order. Based on the characteristics and circumstances of each stage, the Minister of Public Security shall launch specific competitions on topics related to protecting national security and social order.

2. Heads of public security agencies at all levels and localities shall be responsible for:

a) Taking the lead and coordinating with the Vietnam Fatherland Front at the same level, political organizations, political-social organizations, and social-professional organizations to organize the launch of competitions, direct the competition movement among the People's Public Security, Village Police, and Neighborhood Watch, and the nationwide people's movement to protect national security and social order within their jurisdiction; advising the Chairman of the People's Committee at the same level and leaders of relevant agencies and units to launch competitions, assess and award commendations or propose commendations for the nationwide people's movement to protect national security and specialized competitions on protecting national security and social order in accordance with guidance from higher-level People's Committees and Public Security agencies and the characteristics and circumstances of the locality or unit.

b) Organizing the competition movement must be linked to the implementation of the political tasks of the public security unit or locality; linked to labor, production, study, work, combat, and other competition movements.

c) Encouraging and motivating cadres, soldiers, and the people to voluntarily and enthusiastically compete in fulfilling tasks to protect national security and social order and build the People's Public Security force.

d) Supervise, inspect, and direct the implementation, interim summary, and final summary of competitive movements.

d) Identifying, promoting, and expanding exemplary models, maintaining and enhancing the effectiveness of these models in the competition movement.

e) Monitor the implementation and propose solutions to effectively implement laws on competitive movements and rewards.

3. Agencies, organizations, and units shall base their competition movements on those launched by higher authorities, and develop plans clearly defining objectives, scope, target groups, indicators, slogans, and methods for implementing the competition movement within their own agencies, organizations, or units.

Article 7. Responsibilities of the agency engaged in competition and reward work

1. The General Department for Building Police Force is the permanent agency assisting the Party Central Committee for Public Security, the Minister of Public Security, and the Competition and Reward Council of the Ministry to perform state management functions over competition and reward work within the People's Public Security Forces, Village Guards, Neighborhood Watch, and the nationwide people's movement for national security protection.

2. Advisory agencies of the Ministry's Competition and Reward Council:

The general departments and units: the Ministry Office, the Inspectorate, and the Department for Building the Nationwide People's Movement for National Security Protection are advisory agencies of the Ministry's Competition and Reward Council responsible for monitoring and managing certain areas of work, providing comments and scoring on those areas of work for local public security forces, serving annual competition title reviews; participating in commenting and evaluating cases proposed for awarding titles such as Hero of the People's Armed Forces, Labor Hero, National Model Worker, and Gold Star Medal before reporting to the review council.

3. The Department for Building the Nationwide People's Movement for National Security Protection:

a) Advising and assisting the Party Central Committee for Public Security and the Minister of Public Security in organizing and guiding the implementation of competition movements for village guards, neighborhood watch, and the nationwide people's movement for national security protection.

b) Cooperating with the General Department for Force Building of the People's Public Security to propose rewards for village police, neighborhood watch, and the nationwide people's movement to protect national security.

4. Specialized agencies engaged in competition and reward work at all levels of public security:

a) Advising and proposing to the party committees and heads of units regarding policies, contents, programs, plans, and measures for competitions.

b) Propagandizing, mobilizing, and guiding the organization of competition movements and inspecting their implementation.

c) Advising on mid-term and final summaries, announcing results of competition movements, promoting exemplary models and good deeds; proposing rewards and suggesting innovations in competition and reward work.

5. When guiding rewards for specialized topics or anniversaries of establishment of forces and units, the general departments and subordinate units of the Ministry must coordinate with the General Department for Building the Police Force and the Central Competition and Reward Board.

Part II

SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

Chapter I

COMPETITION TITLES AND REWARD FORMS IN THE PUBLIC SECURITY FORCES

PART 1.

OBJECTS, AWARDS, AND AWARD STANDARDS IN COMPETITION

Article 8. Recipients of competition titles

1. For Individuals

a) Officers, non-commissioned officers, conscripts serving on fixed terms, students of public security institutions;

b) Public security workers; contractual employees for one year or more (the level that signs the labor contract has the authority to grant competition titles).

2. For Collectives

a) The Command of Guard Service, the Command of Mobile Police, departments, bureaus, institutes, equivalent units, academies, and schools under the Ministry or under general departments; provincial public security services, direct-controlled municipalities' public security services, municipal fire prevention and firefighting services (hereinafter referred to as units at the bureau level, local public security services).

b) Departments, offices, regiments, prisons, and equivalent units; district, county, city, and provincial town public security services; enterprises within the public security forces (hereinafter referred to as grassroots units).

c) Police stations, market towns (where regular police forces are stationed), police posts, prison sub-camps, independent battalions, companies directly under regiments, working teams, and equivalent units (hereinafter referred to as units directly under grassroots units).

For working teams and equivalent units, the following criteria must be met to qualify for annual competition title consideration: established according to regulations of the Ministry; having an independent party branch; directly under district, county, city, or provincial town public security services or directly under offices with large scale, having established a party committee.

Article 9. Competition Titles

1. For Individuals

a) Title "Advanced Soldier" or "Advanced Worker";

b) The title "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level";

c) Title "National Public Security Advanced Worker".

d) Title "National Model Worker";

đ) Title "Outstanding Student", "Excellent Student", "Advanced Student" annually and throughout the course (with specific provisions).

2. For Collectives

a) Title "Advanced Unit" or "Advanced Collective";

b) Title "Victorious Unit" or "Excellent Collective";

c) Flag of Excellence from the Ministry of Public Security.

d) The title "Government Excellence Flag".

Article 10. Standards for Competition Titles

1. Criteria for competition titles for individuals:

a) The title "Advanced Soldier" or "Advanced Worker" is awarded to individuals meeting the following criteria:

- Having a sense of responsibility, mastering professional knowledge and skills, completing assigned tasks excellently (based on unit standards, quotas, and requirements), achieving high productivity and quality;

- Adhering strictly to Party policies and State laws, maintaining strict discipline and internal regulations; ensuring working days, complying with work procedures and systems, fostering unity and mutual assistance, actively participating in competition movements;

- Seriously engaging in political, cultural, and professional studies; having a healthy lifestyle and moral conduct;

- Receiving at least 80% approval votes from the grassroots unit and the Competition and Reward Council at the bureau level or local public security service.

- The maximum number of "Advanced Soldier" or "Advanced Worker" titles should not exceed 80% of the total eligible individuals in the bureau-level or local public security service.

b) The title "Grassroots Model Worker" is awarded to individuals meeting the following criteria:

- Selected from among those who have received the title "Advanced Soldier" or "Advanced Worker";

- Excellently completing assigned tasks; having innovative ideas or applying effective professional methods in work; being brave and creative in combat; specifically, during work and combat, the individual must be commended with a certificate of merit from the bureau-level or local public security service or higher for outstanding achievements or short-term competition campaigns in the year; in scientific research, they must be the head or secretary of a project, completed on schedule, and passed the acceptance with a good grade or higher;

- Serving as a model in adhering to Party policies and State laws, having a sense of organizational discipline; leading by example in implementing work systems and internal regulations of the public security force, promoting unity and mutual assistance, taking the lead in participating in competition movements;

- Actively studying politics, culture, and professional techniques;

- Receiving at least 80% approval votes from the grassroots unit and the Competition and Reward Council at the bureau level or local public security service.

- The maximum number of "Model Soldier at the Base" titles shall not exceed 10% of the total number of individuals who have achieved the titles of "Advanced Soldier" or "Advanced Worker" in units at the Bureau level and local police forces.

c) The title of "Model Soldier throughout the National Police Force" shall be awarded to individuals meeting the following criteria:

- Outstanding achievements among those who have continuously received the title of "Model Soldier at the Base" for three consecutive times;

- Achievements, innovations, work solutions, and research topics of such individual have a wide impact on the entire National Police Force, confirmed by the Scientific and Innovation Council at the Ministry level; or in work and combat, they demonstrate bravery and courage, receiving commendations from the Prime Minister or higher for outstanding achievements; or have been awarded three Commendations from central ministries, agencies, mass organizations, provincial people's committees, or municipal people's committees directly under the Central Government for outstanding achievements (including at least one Commendation from the Ministry of Public Security).

- Must receive at least 80% of the votes from the Ministry of Public Security's Commendation and Award Council recommending the award.

- The maximum number of "Model Soldiers throughout the National Police Force" titles shall not exceed 0.5% of the total personnel strength in units at the Bureau level and local police forces.

d) The title of "National Model Soldier" shall be awarded to individuals meeting the following criteria:

- Selected from those who have continuously received the title of "Model Soldier throughout the National Police Force" twice before the time of recommendation;

- Achievements, innovations, work solutions, and research topics of such individual have a significant impact nationwide, confirmed by the Scientific and Innovation Council at the Ministry level; or in work and combat, they demonstrate bravery and courage, receiving awards of Merit Medals for Combat or National Defense Protection or higher for outstanding achievements; or have been awarded two Commendations from the Prime Minister or higher for outstanding achievements;

- Must receive at least 90% of the votes from the Ministry of Public Security's Commendation and Award Council recommending the award.

2. Criteria for commendation titles for leaders and commanders at all levels of the police force

For leaders and commanders at all levels of the police force, in addition to the criteria set forth above for individuals, their commendation titles must also be based on the results of the competition activities of the units and regions directly led and managed by them, specifically as follows:

a) For leaders at the General Department level:

- Units at the Bureau level under their responsibility, in the annual summary of the patriotic contest movement, receive Commendations from the Ministry or higher, with at least one unit receiving a Flag of Excellence from the Ministry;

- The maximum number of leaders at the General Department level eligible for the "Model Soldier at the Base" title shall not exceed 50% of the total number of leaders in each General Department.

b) For leaders at the Bureau level and local police forces:

- If the unit receives a Flag of Excellence from the Government, the maximum number of leaders eligible for the "Model Soldier at the Base" title shall not exceed 70% of the total number of leaders in the unit.

- If the unit receives a Flag of Excellence from the Ministry, the maximum number of leaders eligible for the "Model Soldier at the Base" title shall not exceed 50% of the total number of leaders in the unit.

- If the unit receives a Commendation from the Ministry, one outstanding leader will be selected for the "Model Soldier at the Base" title.

- If the unit does not receive any commendation in the annual summary of the competition activities, its leaders shall not be eligible for the "Model Soldier at the Base" title.

c) For leaders at the base-level units and subordinate units:

- If the unit receives a Flag of Excellence from the Ministry, the maximum number of leaders eligible for the "Model Soldier at the Base" title shall not exceed 70% of the total number of leaders in the unit.

- If the unit receives the title of "Victory Unit," the maximum number of leaders eligible for the "Model Soldier at the Base" title shall not exceed 50% of the total number of leaders in the unit.

- If the unit receives the title of "Advanced Unit," one outstanding leader will be selected for the "Model Soldier at the Base" title.

- If the unit does not receive any commendation in the annual summary of the competition activities, its leaders shall not be eligible for the "Model Soldier at the Base" title.

3. Criteria for commendation titles for collectives

a) The title of "Advanced Unit" or "Advanced Working Collective" shall be awarded to base-level units and subordinate units that meet the following criteria:

- Successfully completing assigned tasks and plans, organizing competitive movements with regularity, effectiveness, and practicality;

- Strictly adhering to Party guidelines, policies, state laws, and building a united and strong collective;

- The party organization meets the criteria for integrity and strength; mass organizations meet the competition criteria set by their respective organizations;

- At least 50% of officers and soldiers in the unit achieve the titles of "Advanced Soldier" or "Advanced Worker"; there are no officers or soldiers who violate discipline with warnings or higher penalties;

- For large-scale base-level units (with their own party committee and affiliated branches) with many conscripted soldiers, if the proportion of officers and soldiers disciplined with reprimands or warnings does not exceed 2% of the unit's personnel strength, they may be considered for the "Advanced Unit" or "Advanced Working Collective" title;

- The number of units achieving the titles of "Advanced Unit" or "Advanced Working Collective" among base-level units and subordinate units shall not exceed 80% of the total number of base-level and subordinate units in units at the Bureau level and local police forces;

- Must receive at least 80% of the votes from the Commendation and Award Council at the competent authority agreeing to recommend the award.

b) The title of "Victory Unit" or "Outstanding Working Collective" shall be awarded to base-level units and subordinate units that meet the following criteria:

- They are exemplary units selected from "Advanced Units" or "Advanced Working Collectives";

- In work and combat, they demonstrate creativity, overcome difficulties, and excel in completing tasks (based on established targets, plans, and goals). They have practical competitive movements that are recognized and emulated by other units and commended by superiors;

- They serve as models in adhering to Party guidelines, policies, state laws, and maintaining a united, clean, and strong collective;

- All individuals complete their tasks; at least 70% of individuals achieve the titles of "Advanced Soldier" or "Advanced Worker"; there is at least one individual who achieves the title of "Model Soldier at the Base".

- The number of units achieving the title "Victory Unit" or "Outstanding Labor Collective" of grassroots units and subordinate units shall not exceed 40% of the total number of grassroots units and subordinate units eligible for the titles "Advanced Unit" and "Advanced Labor Collective" at the Bureau level and local police forces;

- Must receive at least 80% of the votes from the Commendation and Award Council at the competent authority agreeing to recommend the award.

- For large-scale grassroots units (having their own Party Committee and affiliated branches) with many conscripts, if the proportion of officers and conscripts disciplined with reprimand or warning does not exceed 2% of the unit's personnel strength, they may be considered for the titles "Victory Unit" or "Outstanding Labor Collective", but shall not be eligible for the Flag of Excellence from the Ministry;

c) The Flag of Excellence from the Ministry of Public Security

The Flag of Excellence from the Ministry of Public Security is awarded to Bureau-level units and local police forces; it is also awarded to grassroots units as follows:

- The Flag of Excellence from the Ministry of Public Security is awarded to Bureau-level units and local police forces that meet the following criteria:

+ Exceeding all assigned competition targets and tasks for the year;

+ Achieving outstanding and prominent results in the competition movement within the cluster or group;

+ Establishing new factors, models, and exemplary advanced examples for other units in the cluster or group to emulate;

+ Strictly implementing and effectively carrying out various movements and campaigns. Internal unity and solidarity, good compliance with the policies and laws of the Party and the State, leading in practicing thrift, combating waste, and corruption, with the Party organization and mass organizations meeting the standards of integrity and strength. There should be no officers violating the law or regulations causing negative public opinion, damaging the reputation of the People's Police, and no leaders at the department level or above being disciplined with a warning or higher;

+ Approved by the Competition and Commendation Council of the General Department (for units under the General Department) and the Competition and Commendation Council of the Ministry with over 80% approval votes;

- The number of Flags of Excellence from the Ministry awarded to Bureau-level units and local police forces in the annual summary of the "For National Security" competition movement is specified as follows:

+ Each cluster of local police forces can be awarded up to 70% of the competition entities;

+ Each cluster of General Departments and units directly under the Ministry can be awarded up to 60% of the competition entities;

- The Flag of Excellence from the Ministry of Public Security is awarded to grassroots units that meet the following criteria:

+ Being exemplary among grassroots units achieving the titles "Victory Unit" or "Outstanding Labor Collective";

+ Leading in productivity, quality, and exceeding registered competition targets for the year;

+ Internal unity and solidarity, good compliance with the policies and laws of the Party and the State, with the Party organization and mass organizations meeting the standards of integrity and strength, and no officers requiring disciplinary action due to misconduct;

+ Effectively implementing competition movements, practicing thrift, combating waste, and corruption;

+ Recommended by the Competition and Commendation Councils at all levels with over 80% approval votes;

- The number of Flags of Excellence from the Ministry awarded to grassroots units in the annual summary of the "For National Security" competition movement:

+ Provincial and municipal public security departments are divided into four clusters: the cluster of departments under the security force; the cluster of departments under the police force; the cluster of departments under the planning, force building, logistics, and technical sectors; and the cluster of district, county, and town public security departments; each cluster can be awarded one Flag, and if a cluster has 14 or more entities, it can be awarded an additional Flag;

+ Fire Prevention and Control Departments uniformly coordinate with General Department III when dividing competition clusters at grassroots units; each cluster can be awarded one Flag, and if there are more than ten entities receiving awards, an additional Flag can be awarded;

+ For Bureau-level and equivalent units: each unit can be awarded one Flag, and if a unit has more than ten competition entities, an additional Flag can be awarded;

+ Units at the department level and equivalents under General Departments can be evaluated together with the Office or Political Department of the General Department. General Departments with five or more department-level units under them can be awarded one Flag;

+ Enterprises under the management of General Department IV can be awarded one Flag;

+ The prison, educational facility, and juvenile rehabilitation cluster under General Department VIII has seven competition clusters and can be awarded seven Flags;

d) The Flag of Excellence from the Ministry of Public Security for awarding to leading units in the "Learning and Implementing Six Points of the President's Teachings to the People's Police" competition movement (with specific regulations);

đ) The Flag of Excellence from the Government

- The Flag of Excellence from the Government is awarded to Bureau-level units and local police forces in the annual summary of the "For National Security" competition movement that meet the following criteria:

+ Being selected as the most outstanding unit among those awarded the Flag of Excellence from the Ministry;

+ Leading in productivity, quality, and effectiveness across all aspects of work, combat, and force building;

+ Excellently completing all assigned competition targets and tasks for the year, achieving outstanding and prominent results in the cluster or group, and being the most outstanding unit nationwide in the People's Police force;

+ Establishing many new factors, models, and exemplary advanced examples for the entire People's Police force to emulate;

+ Strictly implementing and effectively carrying out various movements and campaigns. Internal unity and solidarity, good compliance with the policies and laws of the Party and the State, leading in practicing thrift, combating waste, and corruption. The Party organization and mass organizations meeting the standards of integrity and strength, with no officers violating the law or regulations causing negative public opinion, damaging the reputation of the People's Police, or having leaders at the department level or above disciplined with a reprimand or higher;

+ Approved by the Competition and Commendation Council of the General Department (for units under the General Department) and the Competition and Commendation Council of the Ministry with over 80% approval votes;

- The number of Flags of Excellence from the Government:

Annually, the Ministry's Competition and Reward Council proposes to the Prime Minister to award the "Flag of Government Competition" to units at the Bureau level and local police forces, not exceeding 20% of the total number of units at the Bureau level and local police forces that have been awarded the "Flag of Ministry Competition" in the summary of the competition movement for national security.

Article 11. Competition Clusters

1. Local police forces are divided into 11 Competition Clusters:

a) Cluster 1 includes the police forces of two cities: Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

b) Cluster 2 includes the police forces of three cities: Hai Phong, Da Nang, and Can Tho.

c) Cluster 3 includes the police forces of seven provinces: Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Lai Chau, Son La, and Dien Bien.

d) Cluster 4 includes the police forces of eight provinces: Thai Nguyen, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan, Hoa Binh, Bac Giang, Phu Tho, and Quang Ninh.

đ) Cluster 5 includes the police forces of eight provinces: Vinh Phuc, Bac Ninh, Ha Nam, Thai Binh, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Nam Dinh, and Ninh Binh.

e) Cluster 6 includes the police forces of six provinces: Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien Hue.

g) Cluster 7 includes the police forces of six provinces: Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Dak Nong, and Binh Phuoc.

h) Cluster 8 includes the police forces of seven provinces: Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, and Binh Thuan.

i) Cluster 9 includes the police forces of eight provinces: Tay Ninh, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Long An, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, and Dong Thap.

k) Cluster 10 includes the police forces of eight provinces: An Giang, Kien Giang, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, Vinh Long, and Hau Giang.

l) Cluster 11 includes eight Fire Prevention and Control Departments: Fire Prevention and Control Department of Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Can Tho, Fire Prevention and Control Department of Vinh Phuc Province, Dong Nai Province, and Binh Duong Province.

2. Units at the Bureau level within the Ministry are divided into 13 competition clusters:

a) The First General Department of Security (General Department I) with 13 Bureau-level units: 1 competition cluster.

b) The Second General Department of Security (General Department II) with 14 Bureau-level units: 1 competition cluster.

c) The Third General Department of Building Police Force (General Department III) with 10 Bureau-level units: 1 competition cluster.

d) The Fourth General Department of Logistics and Technical Services (General Department IV) with 20 Bureau-level units, divided into 2 competition clusters.

- Cluster 1 includes 11 units responsible for advising and managing state affairs on logistics and technical services in the People's Public Security: Office of the General Department; Equipment and Supply Management Bureau; Basic Construction and Camp Management Bureau; Health Bureau; Storage and Transportation Bureau; Planning and Investment Bureau; Administrative Bureau; Science, Technology, and Environment Management Bureau; Information and Communication Bureau; Cryptographic Bureau, and Business Computing Bureau.

- Cluster 2 includes 10 research institutes and health units in the People's Public Security: Institute of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering; Institute of Biochemical and Document Engineering; Global Telecommunications Corporation; Hospital 19-8; Hospital 30-4; Hospital 199; Traditional Medicine Hospital; Project Management Board DA 239/05; Project Management Board DA 909, and Unit 126.

đ) The Fifth General Department of Intelligence (General Department V) with 14 Bureau-level units: 1 competition cluster (including Academy B43).

e) The Sixth General Department of Crime Prevention and Suppression (General Department VI) with 15 Bureau-level units: 1 competition cluster.

g) The Seventh General Department of Administrative Management for Social Order and Safety (General Department VII) with 8 Bureau-level units: 1 competition cluster.

h) The Eighth General Department of Criminal Enforcement and Judicial Assistance (General Department VIII) with 6 Bureau-level units: 1 competition cluster.

i) The units directly under the Ministry are divided into 10 units, forming 2 competition clusters.

- Cluster 1 includes 2 units: Mobile Police Command; Protection Police Command;

- Cluster 2 includes 8 units: Ministry Office; Ministry Inspectorate; Legal Affairs Department; International Cooperation Department; Finance Bureau; Mass Mobilization Department for National Security; Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Party Central Committee of Public Security; Institute of Strategy and Public Security Science.

k) Public Security Schools are divided into 2 competition clusters:

- Cluster 1: Group of Academies and Universities (excluding Academy B43);

- Cluster 2: Group of Secondary Schools, Cultural Schools, and Training Schools.

3. Organization of Competition Cluster Activities:

a) Each competition cluster assigns a unit to be the cluster leader on a rotational basis each year to manage the activities of the cluster (clusters under a General Department are directed by that General Department).

b) Annual cluster meeting to sign competition agreements.

c) Conduct cross-check inspections of units within the competition cluster.

d) Identify, nurture, and promote exemplary models within the competition cluster.

đ) Annual cluster meeting (in October) to conclude, exchange experiences, and propose rewards for units within the competition cluster.

4. The General Department of Building the Public Security Force is responsible for guiding and monitoring the activities of the competition clusters to assist the Ministry's Competition and Reward Council in directing and reviewing annual competitions.

PART II.

OBJECTS, FORMS, AND STANDARDS OF REWARDS

Article 12. Recipients of Awards

1. General Directorates.

2. The subjects specified in Article 8 of this Circular.

3. Collectives and individuals belonging to mass organizations: youth, women, trade unions, other professional associations within the People's Public Security Force.

Article 13. Criteria for Awards

1. Types of Orders

a) Golden Star Order: to be awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals; awarded to collectives at the Directorate level or higher or collectives with special functions and tasks in important fields and key areas concerning political security and social order and safety, meeting the criteria stipulated in Article 20 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP of the Government.

b) Ho Chi Minh Order: to be awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals; awarded to units at the Directorate level or higher or collectives with special functions and tasks in important fields and key areas concerning political security and social order and safety, meeting the criteria stipulated in Article 21 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP of the Government.

c) Independence Order: to be awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals and awarded to collectives from grassroots units upward that have achieved outstanding and exceptional achievements or many outstanding and exceptional achievements contributing to the cause of building and defending the country, meeting the criteria stipulated in Articles 22, 23, and 24 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP of the Government.

d) Military Merit Order: to be awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals belonging to the People's Public Security Forces and awarded to collectives from grassroots units upward that have achieved outstanding and exceptional military feats in combat, serving combat, training and building forces, maintaining security and order, meeting the criteria stipulated in Articles 25, 26, and 27 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP of the Government.

đ) National Defense Order: to be awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals and awarded to collectives that have achieved merits in training and building the People's Public Security Forces, contributing to the cause of building socialism and defending the country, meeting the criteria stipulated in Articles 31, 32, and 33 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP of the Government.

e) Military Service Merit Order: to be awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals and awarded to collectives that have achieved outstanding and sudden merits in combat, directly serving combat, maintaining security and order, meeting the criteria stipulated in Articles 34, 35, and 36 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP of the Government.

g) Labor Medal: to be awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals and awarded to collectives that have achieved outstanding merits in labor, production, scientific research, teaching, cultural and social activities, contributing to the cause of building socialism and defending the country, meeting the criteria stipulated in Articles 28, 29, and 30 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP of the Government.

h) Bravery Medal: to be awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals who have shown acts of bravery in rescuing people and state property, meeting the criteria stipulated in Article 38 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP of the Government.

2. Types of Medals

a) Medal for Homeland Security: to be awarded to officers, non-commissioned officers, and civilian staff of the Public Security Forces serving under a professional system, meeting the criteria stipulated in Article 40 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP of the Government.

b) Medal for Distinguished Soldiers: to be awarded to officers, non-commissioned officers, and civilian staff of the Public Security Forces serving under a professional system, meeting the criteria stipulated in Article 40 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP of the Government.

3. State Honorary Titles

a) Heroic Forces Title, Labor Hero Title: to be awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals and awarded to collectives that have achieved outstanding and remarkable heroic deeds (including cases of sudden and outstanding heroic deeds), ensuring the conditions and criteria stipulated in Articles 43 and 44 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP of the Government.

b) People's Teacher Title, Excellent Teacher Title; People's Doctor Title, Excellent Doctor Title; People's Artist Title, Excellent Artist Title: to be awarded to individuals meeting the criteria stipulated in Article 45 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP of the Government, proposed for award by the grassroots specialized council of the Public Security Units and localities managed by the Ministry's specialized council for review.

c) Functional agencies specializing in education and training (for the Teacher title), Health (for the Doctor title), Culture and Information (for the Artist title) shall take the lead and coordinate with the Office of the Ministry's Commendation and Award Council to report to the Ministry's specialized council for review and approval by the State-level council.

4. Ho Chi Minh Prize, State Prize

a) Ho Chi Minh Prize, State Prize: to be awarded to authors of one or more works, scientific research, technology, education, literature, and art of the People's Public Security Forces, meeting the criteria stipulated in Articles 46 and 47 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP of the Government.

b) Functional agencies shall assist the Ministry's specialized council in leading and coordinating with the Office of the Ministry's Commendation and Award Council to report to the Ministry's specialized council for review and approval by the State-level council.

5. Certificates of Merit, Letters of Praise

a) Certificate of Merit of the Prime Minister:

- To be awarded to individuals meeting one of the following criteria:

+ Having been awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Ministry of Public Security or by central ministries, sectors, mass organizations, provincial People's Committees: having continuously received the "Outstanding Grassroots Militia" title for five years prior to the time of nomination;

+ Achieving outstanding results in work, combat, and service to combat.

- To be awarded to collectives meeting one of the following criteria:

+ Having been awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Ministry of Public Security or by ministries, sectors, provincial People's Committees; having continuously received the "Victorious Unit" or "Excellent Labor Collective" title for three years or more prior to the time of nomination;

+ Achieving outstanding results in work, combat, and service to combat.

b) Certificate of Merit of the Ministry of Public Security

- To be awarded to individuals meeting one of the following criteria:

+ Excellently completing tasks, having been awarded the "Outstanding Grassroots Militia" title for at least two consecutive years prior to the time of nomination;

+ Achieving outstanding results in work, combat, and service to combat for maintaining security and order or being selected during campaigns initiated by the Ministry of Public Security when summarizing and concluding the implementation of specific topics.

- To be awarded to collectives meeting one of the following criteria:

+ Successfully completing tasks with excellence, having at least two consecutive times before the date of application for the title "Outstanding Combat Unit" or "Outstanding Labor Collective";

+ Achieving outstanding results in work, combat, and support services to protect national security and public order, or being selected during competition campaigns; when summarizing the implementation of special topics launched by the Ministry of Public Security.

- Awarding a Certificate of Merit to units at the Bureau level, local police forces in the annual summary of the "For National Security" competition movement meeting the following criteria:

+ Successfully completing tasks according to assigned programs and plans;

+ Continuously promoting competition movements, having many exemplary models, good deeds and people, using many creative forms and methods to promote competition movements;

+ Strictly implementing and effectively carrying out competition movements and mass mobilization campaigns;

+ Not having any officers violating laws or regulations of the sector causing negative public opinion and affecting the reputation of the People's Public Security force;

+ Must have more than 80% of votes from the Competition and Reward Council of the General Department (for units under the General Department) and the Competition and Reward Council of the Ministry agreeing on the recommendation.

c) Commendation Certificate

The commendation certificate of the General Department Director, Bureau-level unit heads, and local police forces to be awarded to collectives and individuals who achieve outstanding results in regular competition movements (annually), short-term competition campaigns, specialized topic campaigns, successfully completing a specific project or achieving outstanding results in work, combat, and study.

Chapter II

COMPETITION AWARDS AND REWARD FORMS FOR COMMUNITY POLICE STATIONS, NEIGHBORHOOD SECURITY GROUPS, AND THE NATIONAL SECURITY PROTECTION MOVEMENT OF THE ENTIRE POPULATION

PART I.

OBJECTS, AWARD TITLES, AND AWARD CRITERIA

Article 14. Competition Participants

1. For individuals:

a) Chief of Community Police Station, Town Police Station (where regular police forces are not deployed) (hereinafter referred to collectively as Community Police Station), Deputy Chief of Community Police Station, Community Police Officers at the village level, receiving monthly salary and allowances as stipulated in the Ordinance on Community Police Stations.

b) Chief of Neighborhood Security Group, Deputy Chief of Neighborhood Security Group, Group Leader, Deputy Group Leader, Group Member of Neighborhood Security Groups receiving monthly salary and allowances as stipulated in Decree No. 38/2006/NĐ-CP dated April 17, 2006 of the Government on Neighborhood Security Groups.

2. For groups:

a) Community Police Station, Town Police Station (where regular police forces are not deployed) (hereinafter referred to collectively as Community Police Station).

b) Neighborhood Security Group.

c) Civic groups, village cadres, town cadres; staff groups of grassroots-level agencies, enterprises (having legal personality) of all economic sectors.

Article 15. Award Titles

1. For Individuals

a) Title of "Exemplary Soldier".

b) Title of "Exemplary Soldier at the Grassroots Level".

c) Title of "Exemplary Soldier at the Provincial Level".

d) Title of "National Model Competitor".

2. For Collectives

a) Title of "Advanced Unit".

b) Title of "Victorious Unit".

c) Flag of Merit of the Ministry of Public Security (awarded in the summary of the nationwide movement to protect national security).

Article 16. Criteria for Award Titles

1. Criteria for competition titles for individuals:

a) The title of "Exemplary Soldier" is awarded to individuals meeting the following criteria:

- Mastering professional knowledge and skills according to their responsibilities, successfully completing assigned tasks according to work programs, plans, and requirements of the unit;

- Adhering well to Party policies and state laws, maintaining strict discipline, complying with work procedures and systems, demonstrating self-reliance, unity, mutual assistance, and actively participating in competition movements initiated by the People's Committees and various levels of the Public Security;

- Actively studying politics, culture, professional knowledge, and vocational skills;

- Having a healthy lifestyle and moral conduct;

- Receiving at least 80% of votes from the grassroots unit;

- For Chiefs of Community Police Stations and Chiefs of Neighborhood Security Groups, the units they oversee must meet the criteria for the title of "Advanced Unit" or higher.

b) The title of "Exemplary Soldier at the Grassroots Level" is awarded to individuals meeting the following criteria:

- Being an "Exemplary Soldier";

- Proposing technical improvements or applying effective measures to enhance work efficiency, or demonstrating bravery and creativity in work, training, combat, and support services, actively mobilizing the masses to participate in the nationwide movement to protect national security, successfully completing assigned tasks;

- Receiving at least 80% of votes from the grassroots unit;

- For Chiefs of Community Police Stations and Chiefs of Neighborhood Security Groups, the units they oversee must meet the criteria for the title of "Victorious Unit" or higher.

c) The title of "Exemplary Soldier at the Provincial Level" is awarded to individuals with outstanding achievements among those who have continuously received the title of "Exemplary Soldier at the Grassroots Level" three times consecutively, with achievements influencing the provincial level.

d) The title of "National Exemplary Soldier" is awarded to individuals with outstanding achievements that influence the entire country. The criteria are implemented according to the Law on Competition and Rewards and Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP of the Government.

2. Criteria for award titles for collectives:

a) The title of "Advanced Unit" is awarded to Community Police Stations and Neighborhood Security Groups meeting the following criteria:

- Successfully completing assigned tasks and plans, organizing competition movements in a systematic and practical manner;

- Effectively advising and implementing the nationwide movement to protect national security at the grassroots level;

- Adhering well to Party policies and state laws, building a united and strong collective;

- The Party organization meeting the criteria for integrity and strength; mass organizations meeting the competition criteria set by those organizations;

- At least 50% of officers and soldiers in the unit receiving the title of "Exemplary Soldier" or "Advanced Worker"; no officers or soldiers committing disciplinary violations at or above the warning level.

b) The title of "Victorious Unit" is awarded to Community Police Stations and Neighborhood Security Groups meeting the following criteria:

- They are exemplary units selected from "Advanced Units" or "Advanced Working Collectives";

- Demonstrating creativity and perseverance in work and combat, successfully completing tasks excellently (based on set targets, plans, and goals). Organizing practical competition movements, recognized and emulated by peer units, and commended by superiors;

- They serve as models in adhering to Party guidelines, policies, state laws, and maintaining a united, clean, and strong collective;

- All individuals completing their tasks; at least 70% of individuals receiving the title of "Exemplary Soldier" or "Advanced Worker"; having officers and soldiers receiving the title of "Exemplary Soldier at the Grassroots Level";

- The ratio of "Victorious Units" awarded to Community Police Stations and Neighborhood Security Groups shall not exceed 40% of the total number of units receiving the titles of "Advanced Unit" and "Advanced Labor Collective" in the locality.

c) The title "Flag of Excellence of the Ministry of Public Security" shall be awarded for consideration to civilian collectives at communes, wards, towns and staff collectives of grassroots agencies and enterprises (having legal personality) from all economic sectors that meet the following criteria:

- Outstanding and leading the nationwide movement to protect national security in commune, ward, town, and agency, enterprise blocks under central cities and provinces, and the central agency block;

- Exceeding targets and comprehensively completing competition indicators, programs, and plans for combating crime and ensuring security and order; having new factors and models of the nationwide movement to protect national security for other units to emulate; having a strong core force in security and order work achieving the title of "Victorious Unit" or "Outstanding Labor Collective";

- Effectively performing the main political tasks of communes, wards, towns, agencies, and enterprises; completing production and business plans, fulfilling state obligations, achieving high productivity, quality, economic efficiency, and work performance;

- Clean and strong party organizations, administrative bodies, and mass organizations; effectively implementing grassroots democracy; organizing good competitive movements, thrift practices, anti-corruption, and waste reduction campaigns;

- The number of Flags of Excellence of the Ministry of Public Security: each central city and province may propose the Ministry of Public Security to award a maximum of three flags annually to one commune, one ward, one agency, or one enterprise. The central agency and enterprise block may propose to award a maximum of three flags to three leading units in the competitive movement;

PART II.

RECIPIENTS, AWARDS, AND AWARD STANDARDS

Article 17. Recipients of awards

1. Including the recipients specified in Article 14 of this Circular and non-People's Public Security Force collectives and individuals who have achievements in the nationwide movement to protect national security and build the People's Public Security Force;

2. Overseas Vietnamese, foreigners, foreign agencies, organizations, and international organizations in Vietnam with achievements in the cause of protecting security and order;

Article 18. Award standards

1. Ho Chi Minh Medal, Independence Medal, and Star Medal: to be awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals, and awarded to collectives meeting the standards set out in Articles 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 of Decree No. 42/2010/ND-CP;

2. Military Merit Medal: to be awarded or posthumously awarded to village police officers meeting the standards set out in Articles 25, 26, and 27 of Decree No. 42/2010/ND-CP;

3. National Defense Medal: to be awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals, and awarded to collectives meeting the standards set out in Articles 31, 32, and 33 of Decree No. 42/2010/ND-CP;

4. Combat Medal: to be awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals, and awarded to collectives achieving significant results in combat, directly supporting combat, maintaining security and order, meeting the standards set out in Articles 34, 35, and 36 of Decree No. 42/2010/ND-CP;

5. Bravery Medal: to be awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals meeting the standards set out in Article 38 of Decree No. 42/2010/ND-CP;

6. Friendship Medal: to be awarded or posthumously awarded to foreign individuals and awarded to foreign agencies, organizations, and international organizations making significant contributions to the cause of protecting security and order, meeting the standards set out in Article 39 of Decree No. 42/2010/ND-CP issued by the Government;

7. Friendship Badge: to be awarded to foreign individuals making significant contributions to the cause of protecting security and order, meeting the standards set out in Article 41 of Decree No. 42/2010/ND-CP issued by the Government;

8. Title of "People's Armed Forces Hero": to be awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals, and awarded to collectives achieving significant results in combat, directly supporting combat, maintaining security and order, meeting the standards set out in Article 43 of Decree No. 42/2010/ND-CP;

9. Prime Minister's Commendation: to be awarded to individuals and collectives achieving significant results in combat, directly supporting combat, maintaining security and order, meeting the standards set out in Article 49 of Decree No. 42/2010/ND-CP;

10. Commemorative Badge "National Security Protection" of the Ministry of Public Security: to be awarded to individuals with outstanding achievements in protecting national security according to Decision No. 838/2006/QD-BCA(X15) and Decision No. 839/2006/QD-BCA(X15) dated July 13, 2006 of the Minister of Public Security;

11. Commendation of the Ministry of Public Security

a) To be awarded to collectives (recipients specified in point c, clause 2, Article 14 of this Circular) in the annual summary of the construction of the nationwide movement to protect national security;

- Standards for awarding the Commendation:

+ Completing all competition indicators, programs, and plans for combating crime and ensuring security and order; having models and examples of the nationwide movement to protect national security; having a strong core force in security and order work (achieving commendation titles from "Advanced Unit", "Advanced Labor Collective" upwards); being exemplary collectives of central cities or provinces or the central agency and enterprise block in the nationwide movement to protect national security;

+ Effectively performing the main political tasks of communes, wards, agencies, and enterprises; completing production and business plans, fulfilling state obligations, achieving high productivity, quality, economic efficiency, and work performance;

+ Having clean and strong party organizations and mass organizations; effectively implementing grassroots democracy; organizing good competitive movements, thrift practices, anti-corruption, and anti-waste campaigns, and effectively combating smuggling and social evils;

- Number of Commendations of the Ministry:

+ For provinces, the maximum number of Commendations shall not exceed the total number of district-level administrative units;

+ For central cities, the number of Commendations shall not exceed 120% of the total number of district-level administrative units;

+ For the central agency and enterprise block under the jurisdiction of the General Bureau of Security, the maximum number of Commendations shall not exceed the total number of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and government agencies;

b) To be awarded Commendations to collectives and individuals in mid-term and final summaries of special topics, competition periods, or for outstanding achievements in security and order work:

- Standards for awarding Commendations to collectives:

+ Achieving outstanding results in implementing thematic tasks, campaign periods in the nationwide movement to protect national security, or achieving outstanding and sudden results in performing duties to protect national security and public order with exemplary effects at the provincial level;

+ Maintaining internal unity; effectively implementing democratic regulations at the grassroots level; organizing well various competitive campaigns;

+ Attending to the material and spiritual lives of members within the collective; practicing thrift;

+ Fully implementing all systems and policies for every member within the collective;

+ The Party organization and mass organizations being clean, strong, and effective.

- Criteria for awarding Commendation Certificates to individuals:

+ Achieving outstanding results in implementing thematic tasks, campaign periods in the nationwide movement to protect national security, or achieving outstanding and sudden results in performing duties to protect national security and public order with exemplary effects at the provincial level;

+ Excellently completing assigned tasks; having good moral qualities; being united and exemplary in following the Party's guidelines and state laws;

- The number of Commendation Certificates for each review period or summary of thematic tasks, or campaign periods shall be decided by the leadership of the Ministry of Public Security.

11. Certificate of Merit

The Certificate of Merit issued by the General Director, Heads of Units at the Bureau level, and local police authorities shall be awarded to collectives and individuals during the annual summary of work on building the nationwide movement to protect national security; during reviews and summaries of thematic tasks, or for outstanding achievements in protecting national security and public order.

- Individuals eligible for the Certificate of Merit must meet the following criteria:

+ Successfully fulfilling their duties and civic obligations; having good moral qualities; being united and exemplary in following the Party's guidelines and state laws;

+ Achieving results in performing specialized tasks, thematic tasks, or campaign periods, or achieving sudden results (for village police officers and civilian guards); actively participating in building the nationwide movement to protect national security, or achieving sudden results in protecting national security and public order (for all strata of the people);

+ Continuously studying to improve professional and vocational skills (for village police officers and civilian guards).

- Collectives eligible for the Certificate of Merit must meet the following criteria:

+ Achieving results in performing specialized tasks, thematic tasks, or campaign periods, or achieving sudden results (for collectives of village police officers and civilian guards); actively participating in building the nationwide movement to protect national security, or achieving sudden results in protecting national security and public order;

+ Maintaining internal unity; effectively implementing grassroots democratic regulations; organizing well various competitive campaigns;

+ Practicing thrift, attending to the material and spiritual lives of members, and fully implementing all systems and policies for every member within the collective.

- The number of annual Certificates of Merit, the number, and the recipients for thematic awards shall be determined by the authority authorized to issue Certificates of Merit.

Chapter III

DISPUTE RESOLUTION BOARD, REWARD DECISION AUTHORITY, AWARD PROCEDURES

PART I.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION BOARDS AT VARIOUS LEVELS

Article 19. The Council for Competition and Awards of the Ministry of Public Security

The Council for Competition and Awards of the Ministry shall be established pursuant to Decision No. 1286/2007/QĐ/KT-BCA(X15) and operate according to the Regulation on the Operation of the Council for Competition and Awards of the Ministry of Public Security (annexed to Decision No. 1285/2007/QĐ/KT-BCA(X15) dated October 29, 2007 of the Ministry of Public Security).

Article 20. The Council for Competition and Awards of the General Department

1. Chairman: Director of the General Department.

2. Deputy Chairman: Deputy Director responsible for force building work.

3. Members: Deputy Directors.

4. Standing Member: Director of the Political Affairs Bureau (Political Affairs Bureau,后勤、参谋局或政治部)，或总局长办公室主任。

5. Permanent Office: The Political Affairs Bureau or the General Department's Office。

6. Advisory Body: Departments under the General Department。

Article 21. The Council for Competition and Awards of the Department, Bureau, Institute, Academy, People's Police University, and Equivalent Units

1. Chairman: Head of the unit.

2. Deputy Chairman: Deputy Head of the unit responsible for force building work.

3. Members: Deputy Heads of the unit.

4. Standing Member: Head of the General Affairs Section (or Head of the Comprehensive General Affairs Section, Force Building Section, etc.).

5. Permanent Office: The General Affairs Section (or the Comprehensive General Affairs Section, Force Building Section, etc.).

6. Advisory Body: Departments, sections, youth unions, women's associations, trade unions under the unit (if any).

Article 22. The Council for Competition and Awards of Local Public Security Organs

1. The Council for Competition and Awards of the Provincial Public Security Department, Municipality directly under the Central Government:

a) Chairman: Director.

b) Deputy Chairman: Deputy Director responsible for force building work.

c) Members: Deputy Directors.

d) Standing Member: Head of the PX15 Section.

đ) Permanent Office: The PX15 Section.

e) Advisory Body: Units PX13, PX15, PV28, PV11, PV24, PH41.

2. The Council for Competition and Awards of the Provincial Fire Prevention and Fighting Service Department, Municipality directly under the Central Government:

a) Chairman: Director.

b) Deputy Chairman: Deputy Director responsible for force building work.

c) Members: Deputy Directors.

d) Standing Member: Head of the Political Work and Mass Mobilization Section (or Political Section).

đ) Permanent Office: The Political Work and Mass Mobilization Section (or Political Section).

e) Advisory Body includes: The Planning Section, Political Work and Mass Mobilization Section (or Political Section), Organization Section (if any), Logistics and Technical Section, Inspection Section; Fire Prevention Guidance and Direction Section; Fire Fighting Guidance and Direction Section.

The Council for Competition and Awards of units shall establish operational regulations based on the principle of democratic centralism and majority voting.

PART II.

AUTHORITY TO DECIDE AWARDS

Article 23. Authority to decide awards for the People's Public Security Forces

1. The authority to decide awards, present and confer titles of merit, forms of state awards, state honorary titles, "Ho Chi Minh Award", "State Award" shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Article 51 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP of the Government.

2. The authority to review, propose state awards and decide titles of merit, forms of state awards from Merit Citation of the Ministry upwards shall be carried out in accordance with the Regulation on the Operation of the Council for Competition and Awards of the Ministry of Public Security.

3. Heads of general departments, units under the Ministry; Directors of local public security organs shall decide to confer the titles of "Outstanding Unit", "Excellent Labor Collective", and "Model Worker at the Base Level" upon the proposal of the same-level Council for Competition and Awards.

4. Heads of general departments shall decide to confer the titles of "Advanced Unit", "Advanced Labor Collective", "Advanced Worker" on collectives and individuals at the department level and equivalent units under the general department.

5. Heads of department-level units, local public security organs shall decide to confer the titles of "Advanced Unit", "Advanced Labor Collective", "Advanced Worker" upon the proposal of the same-level Council for Competition and Awards.

6. Heads of general department-level units, department-level units, local public security organs shall decide to confer Certificates of Commendation on collectives and individuals within their scope of responsibility.

Article 24. Authority to Decide on Awards for Village Police, Neighborhood Watch, and the Nationwide People's Security Movement

1. The Chairman of the People's Committee at the commune level shall consider the proposals of the Head of the Village Police and the Head of the Neighborhood Watch to submit to higher levels for consideration to grant commendation titles to individuals and groups of Village Police and Neighborhood Watch within their authority.

2. The Chairman of the People's Committee at the district level shall decide to award the titles "Outstanding Soldier of the Base", "Advanced Soldier", and "Advanced Unit" and propose to the People's Committee at the provincial level for consideration and decision or to the Government for recognition of commendation titles within their authority for individuals and groups of Village Police and Neighborhood Watch meeting the prescribed criteria.

3. The Chairman of the People's Committee at the provincial level shall decide to award the "Flag of Excellence of the Provincial People's Committee", the title "Outstanding Soldier of the Province", and "Victorious Unit" and submit to the Government for consideration and decision to award the title "Outstanding Soldier of the Nation" to individuals and groups of Village Police and Neighborhood Watch meeting the prescribed criteria.

4. The Minister of Public Security shall decide to award the title "Excellent Flag of Excellence", the Commemorative Medal "National Security Defender", and the Certificate of Merit from the Ministry of Public Security.

5. The authority to decide on awards, presentation of commendation titles, forms of State rewards, State honorary titles, "Ho Chi Minh Award", and "State Award" shall be implemented according to the provisions of Article 51 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP of the Government.

Section III.

PROCEDURES, FILES, AND PROCEDURES FOR CONSIDERING AWARDS AND RECOGNITION IN THE PUBLIC SECURITY FORCE

Article 25. Procedures

1. The level managing organizational structure, cadres, and salary fund shall be responsible for rewarding or submitting to higher levels for rewarding the subjects under its management (including groups and individuals specializing in party and mass organization work).

2. The level initiating campaigns of themed competitions, when summarizing and selecting exemplary models, shall reward and submit to higher levels for rewarding. Utilize the form of reward from the competition initiator to present to groups and individuals who have achieved results; in cases of outstanding achievements with national-wide influence, propose to the Prime Minister or the President for rewarding.

3. Units and local public security agencies proposing to consider granting commendation titles and forms of reward from the Ministry of Public Security, ministries, sectors, the Government, and the State for groups and individuals belonging to the Public Security Force must report to the Ministry of Public Security (through the General Department for Building the Public Security Force) for approval and decision by the Ministry leadership.

Units under the Ministry's Office (including those located in localities) do not need to go through the endorsement procedure but must include in their achievement reports the following contents: compliance with the Party's policies and State laws; clean and strong party organizations and mass organizations; internal unity and solidarity; ensuring a cultural working environment.

4. For external commendations: The International Cooperation Department shall report to the Ministry leadership on the policy of rewarding, after the Ministry leadership agrees on the policy, the International Cooperation Department shall prepare a document for the Ministry leadership to sign for exchange with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then coordinate with the General Department for Building the Public Security Force to handle the procedures for recommending rewards. Units and local public security agencies proposing external rewards shall report to the Ministry (through the International Cooperation Department) for coordination with the General Department for Building the Public Security Force, for approval and decision by the Ministry leadership.

5. In one year, do not submit two forms of State-level rewards for one subject, except in cases of outstanding and exceptional achievements. Cases proposing to confer the Order require the standard "Prime Minister's Certificate of Merit"; after receiving the "Prime Minister's Certificate of Merit" for two years, they may propose to consider conferring the Order.

Article 26. Documents and Procedures for Bestowing Commendation Titles and Awards

1. For the title "Flag of Excellence from the Government"

The title "Flag of Excellence from the Government" shall be bestowed during the annual summary of the "For National Security" campaign, with police academies being considered at the end of the academic year.

a) The Commendation and Award Councils of the general departments, units under the Ministry, and local police propose to the Ministry (through the General Department for Building the Police Force). The Ministry's Commendation and Award Council reviews and submits to the Prime Minister for decision.

b) The documents include:

- A proposal for commendation from the level submitting to the Minister (three copies);

- Minutes and results of secret ballot voting by the Commendation and Award Council at the level submitting to the Minister (three copies);

- Report on achievements of the collective proposed for commendation, confirmed by the level submitting to the Minister (three copies);

- Summary of achievements of the collective proposed for commendation prepared by the Political Agency at the proposing level (three copies).

2. For the title "Flag of Excellence from the Ministry of Public Security"

The title "Flag of Excellence from the Ministry of Public Security" shall be bestowed during the annual summary of the "For National Security" campaign, with police academies being considered at the end of the academic year.

a) For units at the Bureau level and local police

The Commendation and Award Councils of the general departments, units under the Ministry, and local police propose to the Ministry (through the General Department for Building the Police Force). The Ministry's Commendation and Award Council reviews and submits to the Minister for decision.

b) For grassroots-level units.

The Commendation and Award Councils of the general departments, units under the Ministry, and local police propose to the Ministry (through the General Department for Building the Police Force) for review and submission to the Minister for decision.

c) The documents include:

- A proposal for commendation from the level submitting to the Minister (two copies);

- Minutes and results of secret ballot voting by the Commendation and Award Council at the level submitting to the Minister (two copies).

- Report on achievements of the unit proposed for commendation, confirmed by the direct management level (two copies);

- Summary of achievements of the unit proposed for commendation prepared by the Political Agency at the proposing level (two copies).

3. For the title "National Model Worker"

a) The Commendation and Award Councils of the general departments, units under the Ministry, and local police propose to the Ministry (through the General Department for Building the Police Force). The Ministry's Commendation and Award Council reviews and the Minister decides and submits to the Prime Minister.

b) The documents include:

- Proposal from the level submitting to the Minister, accompanied by a list of individuals proposed for commendation (three copies);

- Minutes and results of secret ballot voting by the Commendation and Award Council at the level submitting to the Minister (three copies);

- Report on achievements of the individual proposed for commendation, confirmed by the level submitting to the Minister (three copies);

- Summary of achievements of the individual proposed for commendation prepared by the Political Agency at the proposing level (three copies).

- Summary report on the content of research topics, innovations, experiences, and effective solutions in work and management, confirmed by the Science and Innovation Council at the Ministry level (three copies).

4. For the title "Model Worker of the Entire Police Force"

a) The Commendation and Award Councils of the general departments, units under the Ministry, and local police propose to the Ministry (through the General Department for Building the Police Force). The Ministry's Commendation and Award Council reviews and submits to the Minister for decision.

b) The documents include:

- Proposal from the level submitting to the Minister, accompanied by a list of individuals proposed for commendation (two copies);

- Minutes and results of secret ballot voting by the Commendation and Award Council at the level submitting to the Minister (two copies);

- Report on achievements of the individual proposed for commendation, confirmed by the level submitting to the Minister (two copies);

- Summary of achievements of the individual proposed for commendation prepared by the Political Agency at the proposing level (two copies);

- Photocopies of commendation titles and awards previously received.

5. For the titles "Victorious Unit", "Outstanding Labor Collective"; "Grassroots Model Worker", "Advanced Unit", or "Outstanding Labor Collective"; "Advanced Worker", or "Outstanding Laborer"

a) Grassroots units and units under grassroots units propose, the Commendation and Award Council at the competent level reviews and decides.

b) The documents include:

- Proposal, accompanied by a list of collectives and individuals proposed for commendation;

- Minutes and results of voting by the level proposing commendation;

- Report on achievements of the collectives and individuals proposed for commendation, confirmed by the level proposing commendation.

6. For Orders of various types

a) The Commendation and Award Councils of the general departments, units under the Ministry, and local police submit to the Minister (through the General Department for Building the Police Force).

b) The documents include:

- Proposal for commendation from the level submitting to the Minister (four copies);

- Minutes and results of secret ballot voting by the Commendation and Award Council at the level submitting to the Minister (four copies);

- Report on achievements of the collectives and individuals proposed for commendation, confirmed by the level submitting to the Minister (four copies);

- Summary of achievements of the collectives and individuals proposed for commendation prepared by the Political Agency of the police unit or locality (four copies).

- For units with obligations to pay taxes to the state, when submitting national-level commendation forms for the unit or its head, must have confirmation from the Finance Agency regarding the following:

+ Confirmation of actual tax payments and other revenues compared to registered amounts;

+ The ratio of tax payments to the state budget compared to the previous year;

+ Full and timely payment of all types of taxes and other revenues according to legal provisions.

7. For the "Order of Friendship" and "Medal of Friendship"

a) The Commendation and Award Councils of the general departments, units under the Ministry, and local police submit to the Minister (through V12 and the General Department for Building the Police Force).

b) The documents include:

- Proposal from the level submitting to the Minister;

- Report on achievements, accompanied by a list of individuals proposed for commendation.

8. For the "Medal for National Security" and "Medal for Distinguished Service"

a) Each year, the general departments, units under the Ministry, and local police submit to the Minister on February 3rd and August 19th.

b) The documents include:

- Proposal from the level submitting to the Minister;

- Accompanied by a list of individuals proposed for commendation (two copies).

9. For the titles "Heroic Soldier", "Heroic Laborer"

a) The Council for Competition and Awards of each General Department, subordinate units under the Ministry, and local Public Security shall submit to the Minister (through the General Department for Building the Public Security Force). The General Department for Building the Public Security Force shall compile the file and seek the approval of the Ministry's leadership before submitting the award recommendation file. The Council for Competition and Awards of the Ministry shall review and report to the Minister to submit to the Prime Minister for decision.

b) The documents include:

- A proposal for award submission from the level submitting to the Minister, with the agreement of the same-level Party Committee (5 copies);

- Minutes and results of secret ballot for award recommendation of the Council for Competition and Awards at the level submitting to the Minister, and must reach at least 90% of votes in favor from the members of the Council (5 copies);

- Report on achievements of the collective or individual, confirmed by the level submitting to the Minister (if it is a posthumous award, then the directly managing unit writes the achievement report); for individuals, there must be an assessment from the village authority (or neighborhood committee) where they reside regarding their personal conduct and family behavior in following the policies and guidelines of the locality, and confirmed by the competent authority (5 copies);

- Summary of achievements of the collective or individual recommended for award, carried out by the Political Agency of the Public Security unit or locality (5 copies).

10. For "Prime Minister's Commendation"

a) The Commendation and Award Councils of the general departments, units under the Ministry, and local police submit to the Minister (through the General Department for Building the Police Force).

b) The documents include:

- A proposal for commendation from the level submitting to the Minister (three copies);

- Minutes and results of secret ballot of the Council for Competition and Awards at the level submitting to the Minister (3 copies);

- Report on achievements of the collective or individual recommended for award, confirmed by the level submitting to the Minister (3 copies);

- Summary of achievements of the collective or individual recommended for award, carried out by the recommending Political Agency (3 copies);

- For units with the obligation to pay state budget, when submitting state-level awards to the unit or its head, there must be confirmation from the Financial Agency regarding the following contents:

+ Confirmation of actual tax payments and other revenues compared to registered amounts;

+ The ratio of tax payments to the state budget compared to the previous year;

+ Full and timely payment of all types of taxes and other revenues according to legal provisions.

11. Commendation of the Ministry of Public Security

a) The Commendation and Award Councils of the general departments, units under the Ministry, and local police submit to the Minister (through the General Department for Building the Police Force).

b) The documents include:

- A proposal for commendation from the level submitting to the Minister (two copies);

- Minutes and results of secret ballot of the Council for Competition and Awards at the level submitting to the Minister (2 copies);

- Report on achievements of the collective or individual recommended for award, confirmed by the level submitting to the Minister (2 copies);

- Summary of achievements of the collective or individual recommended for award, carried out by the recommending Political Agency (2 copies).

Article 27. Simplified Award Procedures

1. Proposals for simplified award procedures shall apply in cases meeting all of the following conditions:

a) The award serves political requirements, timely encourages and motivates public security officers and people in the competition movement "For National Security", the movement "Learning and Implementing Six Points Instructed by President Ho Chi Minh to the Public Security Forces", and the whole-people movement for national security protection;

b) Individuals or collectives have achieved outstanding and sudden merits in combat, work, labor, or study;

c) Merits and deeds are clear and have significant impact, thus the award recommendation should be made immediately after the individual or collective achieves outstanding and sudden merits.

2. The file for proposals for simplified award procedures includes:

- A proposal for award submission from the level submitting to the Minister;

- A summary of achievements of the directly managing agency or unit detailing actions, achievements, and merits to justify the award recommendation through simplified procedures.

Article 28. Awards in special cases

For units engaged in special tasks, special fields of work, and special subjects requiring confidentiality (specific regulations apply).

PART IV.

PROCEDURES, FILES, AND PROCEDURES FOR CONSIDERING AWARDS AND RECOGNITION FOR COMMUNITY POLICE, NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH, AND THE NATIONAL SECURITY PROTECTION MOVEMENT

Article 29. Procedures

1. The consideration for awarding medals, orders, state honorary titles, and commendations from the Prime Minister, as well as other forms of recognition to individuals and collectives with outstanding achievements during periodic reviews and final summaries of the national security protection movement according to the Ministry of Public Security's plan, or for exceptional and outstanding achievements in security and order work, shall be carried out in accordance with the Law on Encouragement and Reward and Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP; the application for consideration of awards shall be submitted to the Ministry of Public Security (through the General Department for Building Police Force) for consolidation and submission to the Minister for examination and decision.

2. Proposals for awards and honors from the Ministry of Public Security:

The heads of local public security agencies, the head of the Second General Department of Security, and the head of the Department of National Security Protection Movement propose to the Ministry (through the General Department for Building Police Force) for consolidation and submission to the Minister for examination and decision.

3. The consideration for awarding the titles "Outstanding Soldier", "Commendable Soldier at the Grassroots Level", "Commendable Soldier at the Provincial Level", "National Commendable Soldier" and the titles "Outstanding Unit", "Victorious Unit" to individuals and collectives of community police and neighborhood watch shall be reported by the heads of community police stations and neighborhood watch committees to the chairpersons of the People's Committees at the commune and ward levels for examination and proposal to the chairpersons of the People's Committees at the district and provincial levels for decision, or to higher authorities for decision within their jurisdiction.

Article 30. Files and procedures

1. The files for considering awards include:

a) A report on the achievements of individuals and collectives, confirmed and signed by the head of the community police station, the head of the neighborhood watch committee, and confirmed, signed, and stamped by the chairman of the People's Committee at the commune and ward levels;

b) A summary of the achievements of the collective and individual;

c) A proposal for commendation from the proposing authority;

d) Minutes of the assessment meeting of the Encouragement and Reward Council of the proposing authority.

2. The files for requesting awards include:

a) A report on the achievements of individuals and collectives, confirmed, signed, and stamped by the head of the community police station, the head of the neighborhood watch committee, the direct supervising agency's head, confirmed, signed, and stamped by the chairman of the People's Committee at the commune and ward levels, and the direct supervising agency's head;

b) A summary of the achievements of the collective and individual;

c) A proposal for commendation from the proposing authority;

d) Minutes of the meeting to consider the proposal for commendation of the Encouragement and Reward Council of the proposing authority. Specifically, for the title "People's Armed Forces Hero," there must also be a result of secret ballot voting;

đ) For commendations from the Prime Minister's Certificate of Merit and above, confirmation of tax payment obligations from the direct tax management agency for the unit required to pay taxes is necessary.

e) The file for requesting the commemorative medal "National Security Protection" shall be implemented according to Decision No. 838/2006/QĐ-BCA(X15) dated July 13, 2006, and Decision No. 839/2006/QĐ-BCA(X15) dated July 13, 2006, of the Minister of Public Security.

3. The files for requesting commendations through simplified procedures include:

a) A proposal for commendation from the proposing authority;

b) A summary of the achievements of the directly managing agency, clearly stating actions, achievements, and merits for which commendation is requested through simplified procedures, confirmed by the proposing authority.

4. The time frame for annual summary commendations for the national security protection movement runs from November 30 of the previous year to November 30 of the current year.

The file for requesting commendations from the Ministry of Public Security for the annual summary of the national security protection movement should be submitted to the Ministry of Public Security before December 20 each year (through the Department of Building the National Security Protection Movement, Ministry of Public Security).

Chapter IV

FUND FOR ENCOURAGEMENT AND REWARD AND OTHER RIGHTS

Article 31. Fund for Competitions and Awards

1. The establishment, management, and utilization of the fund for competitions and awards shall be carried out in accordance with Articles 67, 68, and 69 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP dated April 15, 2010 of the Government.

2. The fund for competitions and awards shall be used for the following purposes:

a) Organizing and directing competition movements, 20%;

b) Printing certificates, commendation letters, awards; making commemorative medals, badges, flags, and various types of award frames such as certificates and commendation letters; Awarding cash prizes and mementos, 80%.

Article 32. Other Benefits

Individuals who are awarded Orders; State Honorary Titles; "Ho Chi Minh Prize", "State Prize"; titles of "National Model Worker", "Model Worker of the National Public Security Force" shall, in addition to being rewarded according to regulations, also enjoy other benefits provided by the State and the Ministry of Public Security as follows:

1. In the following cases, they shall be considered for early promotion of rank or increase in pay grade before the regular term:

a) If they are conferred the title of Hero by the State or have achieved outstanding merits in work or combat and sacrificed bravely, they may be recommended for early promotion of rank or increase in pay grade.

b) If they are awarded Military Merit Orders; Ho Chi Minh Prize; State Prize, they may be recommended for early promotion of rank or increase in pay grade two years ahead of schedule.

c) If they are conferred the titles of People's Teacher, Excellent Teacher; People's Doctor, Excellent Doctor; People's Artist, Excellent Artist; if they are awarded Military Service Orders, National Defense Orders, Labor Orders; if they are awarded the title of "National Model Worker", "Model Worker of the National Public Security Force", they may be recommended for early promotion of rank or increase in pay grade one year ahead of schedule.

2. In cases where multiple honors or awards are received within the regular term, only the highest level of preferential treatment specified shall be implemented. If the year of receiving the award coincides with the regular term for promotion of rank or increase in pay grade, it will be considered in the subsequent term.

3. In addition to enjoying the above benefits, individuals who are awarded may be given priority for research, study, work, and training to improve their qualifications both domestically and internationally, in line with their current profession or field. Those who have reached the maximum limit for promotion of rank or increase in pay grade shall be given priority for recuperative leave.

Part III

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 33. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from June 15, 2011.

2. This Circular replaces Circular No. 19/2007/TT-BCA dated October 4, 2007 guiding the implementation of competition and award activities in the Public Security Force; Circular No. 18/2007/TT-BCA dated October 3, 2007 guiding competition and award activities for village police forces, people's security guards, and the nationwide movement to protect national security; Circular No. 20/2007/TT-BCA dated October 9, 2007 guiding financial management in implementing the award system in the Public Security Force, and abolishes previous regulations of the Ministry of Public Security that conflict with this Circular.

Article 34. Implementation Organization

1. The General Department of Public Security Force Construction is responsible for guiding and inspecting the implementation of this Circular.

2. The Finance Department is responsible for guiding the implementation of the system of establishing, managing, and utilizing the fund for competitions and awards in the Public Security Force in accordance with current laws.

3. The Directors of the General Departments, Heads of units under the Ministry, Provincial Public Security Chiefs, Chief of the Police Fire Prevention and Control Department of centrally governed cities are responsible for organizing the implementation of this Circular.

4. During the process of implementation, if there are any difficulties, public security units and localities shall report to the Ministry (through the General Department of Public Security Force Construction) for timely guidance.