State of Delaware
Department of Safety and Homeland Security
P.O. Box 818
Dover, Delaware 19903-0818
NEWS RELEASE
Date: December 31, 2018 Contact : Kimberly Chandler – (302) 632-7060
kimberly.chandler@delaware.gov
Capitol Police Lieutenant Michael Hertzfeld Assumes
Command of Delaware Capitol Police
Today Robert M. Coupe, Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, announced Lieutenant Michael F. Hertzfeld, 47, as Chief of the Delaware Capitol Police.
The Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) and the Delaware Capitol Police (DCP) held a ceremony to mark the start of Chief Hertzfeld’s role as Chief of Police. Hertzfeld, with 22 years of police experience, was selected to lead the Capitol Police following the retirement of Chief John Horsman. Chief Horsman retires with 14 years of service with the DCP and 37 years of total police experience including serving as President of FBI-LEEDA.
“Chief Hertzfeld is a qualified, experienced and proven leader with expansive knowledge of the Delaware Capitol Police and its operations” Secretary Coupe said. “I am confident in his ability to lead the women and men of the Capitol Police and to serve the citizens of our State.”
The ceremony which featured the Honorable Mark D. Buckworth, Family Court Judge, administering the oath of office was attended by many members of the Delaware Capitol Police, Department of Safety and Homeland Security and the Delaware law enforcement community.
“I thank Chief Horsman for his leadership and dedication to the Delaware Capitol Police.” Chief Hertzfeld said. “I firmly believe a leader is only as good as the people surrounding him, and we have an outstanding group of individuals in the Division. I look forward to the opportunity to serve in this new leadership role and I am confident that working together with the men and women of the Capitol Police we can continue to move the Division forward as we serve the State of Delaware.”
Chief Hertzfeld began his police career in 1996 and joined the DCP ranks in 2009 as a Sergeant and first line supervisor. During his law enforcement career, he has served as a Patrol Officer, Detective, Quick Response Team (Q.R.T.) Operator, Public Information Officer, Training Coordinator, Internal Affairs Supervisor, Special Investigations Supervisor and Legislative Affairsliaison. He has served in several leadership roles during his career including most recently as the DCP Northern Operations Commander where he implemented and oversaw a multitude of management innovations improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the Northern Operation. This included adopting an intelligence and accountability-driven predictive policing model.
Chief Hertzfeld received the State of Delaware House of Representatives Exceptional Duty Award and was previously selected as the New Castle City Police Officer of the Year. He is a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and a graduate of the 264th session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy. He received command level training from FBI-LEEDA, the Penn State Justice and Safety Institute, the Northeast Counter Drug Leadership and Mastering Performance Management Program, and the U.S. Marshal Court Security Program.
Chief Hertzfeld earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resource Management and a Master of Science Degree in Homeland Security with a concentration in Organizational Leadership from Wilmington University.
Chief Hertzfeld is a Delaware native and resides in Middletown with his wife, Stacy. He is the proud father of two children, Nicolas and Peyton.
-End-