DOVER, Del. — The Dagsboro, Ellendale, and Selbyville Police Departments have each earned state accreditation from the Delaware Police Accreditation Commission (DPAC). As part of the rigorous process, a team of DPAC assessors ensured all accreditation standards were met by completing a comprehensive on-site inspection, reviewing agency policies and procedures, and conducting interviews with department members.

“State accreditation requires a commitment to excellence and determination. Each agency embraced the challenge and completed the process to meet more than 100 professional standards. I commend them for a job well done,” said Joshua Bushweller, Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) Secretary and DPAC Chair.

DPAC, formed in 2008, is committed to advancing law enforcement professionalism through the establishment of professional standards and the administration of formal mechanisms that enable Delaware Police agencies to be systematically measured, evaluated, and updated. Accreditation improves officer and public safety, addresses high-risk management issues, promotes operational efficiency through policy development, enhances agency reputation, attracts the best-qualified candidates for employment, and increases public trust and confidence.

House Bill 206 mandates that all police agencies be accredited by 2028, and each is currently proactively working towards state accreditation through the POST/DPAC section of the DSHS. Delaware police agencies range from 1 to 730 sworn officers. Several larger agencies receive national accreditation through The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®). While most of the small agencies do not have the funding or the personnel to participate in CALEA®, they can still achieve state accreditation. Currently, 64 percent of all Delaware police agencies are now accredited: 12 nationally and 20 Delaware accredited (32).

For more information, visit the website of the Police Officers Standards and Training Commission (POST).

About Police Officers Standards and Training Commission

The Police Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST), a division of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS), oversees standards and training for all police officers in Delaware. POST aims to improve the professionalism and behavior of officers by setting qualifications for recruits, education and training requirements, and training standards. POST advises the Delaware Police Accreditation Commission (DPAC), provides guidelines for local oversight boards, and investigates potential officer misconduct relative to certification.

CONTACT: John “JP” Petersen
O: (302) 744-2686
E: john.petersen@delaware.gov

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