Over the years, Newport Chief of Police Michael Capriglione has become known as a leader for local police agencies statewide and a champion for DUI enforcement in New Castle County.
Today, Governor Jack A. Markell presented Chief Capriglione with a tribute highlighting his years of service as chair of the Delaware Police Chiefs’ Council and his unwavering dedication and commitment to the State’s law enforcement community.
“Chief Capriglione has served unselfishly the police community and the public good for many years,” said Governor Jack Markell. “His dedication is a testament to his love of police work and commitment toward protecting the community. We recognize and appreciate the many ways in which Chief Capriglione helps people work together for a better Delaware.”
Chief Capriglione has been a member of the Delaware Police Chiefs’ Council since 1981 when he was named head of the Newport Police Department.
“Chief Capriglione is a valued member of our law enforcement community. Under his leadership, law enforcement agencies statewide have partnered on a number of projects which have had a direct impact on enhancing public safety in our State,” said Lewis D. Schiliro, Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security. “I am honored to have worked with the Chief and commend him for his years of service to the citizens of the State. He is truly a Cops Cop.”
During his tenure with the Council, Chief Capriglione served as Secretary, Chairman of the Legislative Committee, and 1st Vice Chairman before ascending to the position of Chairman for the past 11 years.
“He is the longest tenured Police Chief in the State and served as the Chairman of the Delaware Police Chiefs’ Council longer than any of his predecessors, said New Castle City Chief of Police Kevin McDerby. “He is not only respected within the law enforcement community but within all branches of government and by the fourth estate—news media.”
While serving as Chair, Chief Capriglione formed a partnership with the Office of Highway Safety to broaden the reach of its Checkpoint Strikeforce Campaign. The goal of Checkpoint Strikeforce is to stop impaired driving throughout the State through roadside checkpoints. With his support, OHS formed the New Castle County DUI Task Force enabling municipal officers to work together to conduct checkpoints.
“For the last ten years, Chief Capriglione’s leadership of the New Castle County Checkpoint Strikeforce Taskforce has led to unprecedented arrests for Driving Under the Influence (DUI). His commitment to highway safety and to reducing the incidence of drinking and driving on Delaware roadways has led to countless numbers of lives saved and we congratulate him for this recognition for a job very well done,” said OHS Director Jana Simpler.