Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement to Co-Host 2016 NLLEA Training Symposium in Dover

DATE LogoThe 2016 National Liquor Law Enforcement Association (NLLEA) Training Symposium, co-hosted by the Delaware Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement (DATE), will be held from April 18 – 22 in Dover, Delaware. Registration is open to all Delaware and out of state law enforcement agencies.

This annual, week-long symposium provides core courses focused on the fundamental foundation areas of alcohol law enforcement and sessions that explore the changing challenges and demands faced by law enforcement agencies. The symposium courses improve the specialized knowledge and professional skills of law enforcement officers, whether new to the field or seasoned professionals. Some of the topic highlights include: Warrantless Administrative Search Authority, The 3-Tier System and Illegal Trade Practices, Underage Drinking Enforcement, Illegal Gambling, Special Events Enforcement, Fraudulent Documents, Social Networking/Cyber-Space Investigations, Undercover Operations & Techniques and more.

The symposium will be held at the Dover Downs Hotel. The hotel is centrally-located in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic region, with a variety of restaurants and activities on site. The symposium fee is $400 per member and $500 per non-member attendee, which includes all training materials and lunch.

For more information about the upcoming 2016 NLLEA Training Symposium and to complete your registration, please visit http://www.nllea.org/trainingsymposium.html. To make room reservations or for any questions about the NLLEA Symposium please contact NLLEA Training Coordinator, Lara Morford, by email at lara.morford@nllea.org or by calling 301-755-2795.

The National Liquor Law Enforcement Association is a non-profit association of law enforcement personnel dedicated to the enforcement of liquor laws and regulations. The NLLEA has a membership structure that is open to all levels of persons involved in enforcing liquor laws in the United States and Canada.

The Delaware Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement is tasked with protecting the health, safety and welfare of people in Delaware through the enforcement of state liquor and youth access to tobacco laws, while maintaining the highest state of preparedness for responding to threats against homeland security. ATE Agents are certified police officers in the State of Delaware with statewide jurisdiction and arrest powers. ATE Agents have full authority to enforce all of the laws of the state, including liquor, drug, criminal, and traffic statutes.NLLEA Logo

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Media Contact:
John Yeomans, Director
(302) 741-2719
john.yeomans@delaware.gov


Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement to Host Citizens Police Academy

CPA Logo

The Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement is currently accepting applications for the 2016 Citizen’s Police Academy. The 8-week program will begin on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 and will meet every Wednesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement located at 34 Starlifter Avenue, Dover, DE. The Citizens Police Academy will conclude with a graduation ceremony and reception on Wednesday, March 9, 2016.

Completed applications and a copy of a valid state identification and/or driver’s license must be received at the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement no later than Monday, January 4, 2016 at 4:30 P.M.

Applications can be downloaded from the web by visiting http://www.date.delaware.gov, or requested by contacting Cindi Wood, Community Outreach Coordinator, at (302) 741-2715 or email cindi.wood@delaware.gov.

The Citizen’s Police Academy provides a direct overview of both law enforcement and community-related functions of the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement. Topics of instruction include but are not limited to:

• Tobacco Enforcement & Diversion
• Fake ID’s
• Cooperating Underage Witness Program
• Responsible Server Training
• Special Tactics and Response Team
• Division of Gaming Enforcement
• Cooperating Underage Witness Program
• Delaware Violent Crime Reduction Task Force
• Fatal Vision Impairment Demonstration
• Community Partnerships

All instructors for the academy are highly-trained and experienced police officers or professionals in their respective fields. In addition to in-depth presentations and demonstrations over the 8-week period, class members will be given the opportunity to attend a firearms demonstration at the Delaware State Police Firing Range. Members will receive instruction on proper weapon handling, weapons safety, and be allowed to fire department issued weapons.

Applicants must be a Delaware resident and 18 years of age or older. A criminal history background check will be performed on all applicants. The Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement reserves the right to deny or remove applicants for past or current activities that may be detrimental to the program and its attendees.

There is no fee for the program; however, the Division requests that applicants be committed to the full eight-week program. Applicants will attend classes on the following dates: January 20, January 27, February 3, February 10, February 17, February 24, March 2 and March 9.

The class size is limited to 20 students. Due to the high demand for this course, applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. Accepted recruits will be contacted during the week of January 11, 2016.

Any questions should be directed to the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement at (302) 741-2721.


Delaware Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement Earns State Recognition as an Accredited Police Agency

 

June 22, 2015 – Governor Jack A. Markell and Delaware Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Lewis Schiliro joined together to recognize the Delaware Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement (DATE) for earning State accreditation.

“DATE’s attainment of accreditation highlights its professionalism, dedication and exemplary commitment to the high standards in law enforcement,” said Gov. Markell. “Our State accreditation process raises the standards for our law enforcement agencies and sets the mark for excellence.”

DATE, led by Director John Yeomans, worked through a long and arduous process to meet more than 100 standards as required by the Delaware Police Accreditation Commission (DPAC). In 2008, DPAC was formed to develop State standards as it relates to technical support, operations support and training support for local police agencies. DATE is the fourth Delaware law enforcement agency to receive DPAC Accreditation.

“I am proud of Director Yoemans and his team for their dedication and commitment to excellence and for serving as an example to the many other police agencies statewide working toward accreditation,” said Schiliro, who is also the DPAC Chair. “This is the first such accreditation for this agency in its 80-plus year history.”

Updating the policies and operations of the Division to DPAC standards was an important goal when Director Yeomans was appointed in 2011. The Division’s policy manual has since been completely revised to meet DPAC standards.

“This process helped the Division measure current operations against established practices. The end result is a better agency that can carry out the important mission of serving the citizens of Delaware,” said Director Yeomans. “We are honored and excited about this accomplishment.”

The accreditation process is how a police agency voluntarily demonstrates how it meets professionally recognized criteria for excellence in management and service delivery. The accreditation award is granted for a three-year period during which time the Division must maintain annual records attesting to continued compliance with all applicable standards.

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Media Contact:
Kimberly H. Chandler
(302) 632-7060


D.A.T.E Launches New Campaign To Maximize Underage Drinking Enforcement In Dewey Beach, DE

“PARTY CRASHERS” MAKE THEIR WAY TO DEWEY BEACH, DE
TO CRACKDOWN ON UNDERAGE DRINKING IN DEWEY BEACH

Dewey Beach, DE – Consider the party over for those who decide to consume alcohol illegally or provide alcohol to a minor, as part of a new “Party Crashers” initiative that promises to enforce underage drinking laws and unlawfully selling to minors.

Beginning this week, the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement (D.A.T.E) will be joining forces with local and state law enforcement, as part of a multi-faceted underage drinking enforcement campaign to help reduce the number of incidents and injuries related to underage consumption and binge drinking in and around the town of Dewey Beach.

As part of an annual tradition, thousands of recent high school graduates will make their way to Dewey Beach during the first two weeks of June. “We want this time of year to be a time of celebration not a tragic mistake so we created the “Party Crashers” initiative to remind all town residents, both temporary and permanent, that our zero tolerance policy will be strictly enforced at all times.” said John Yeomans, Director of the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement.

This high-visibility enforcement detail includes a partnership with the Sussex County Realtors Association who will be distributing the campaign flyer to all rental units within Dewey Beach. Residents, and visitors alike, will see an increased presence of police officers at any given time from the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement, Delaware State Police, Dewey Beach Police Department, Rehoboth Beach Police Department, University of Delaware Police Department and the Delaware State Fire Marshall’s office. These officers will be patrolling the streets on foot, by bike and on mounted patrols.

“I’m pleased with the increased enforcement of underage drinking because it can hopefully prevent some of these young adults from getting into serious trouble. And the trouble they can potentially cause can affect their future careers in ways they do not realize until it’s too late.” said Diane Hanson, Mayor of Dewey Beach.

Funding for this initiative has been provided by the Delaware Office of Highway Safety and the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

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Media Contact:
John Yeomans, Director
john.yeomans@delaware.gov
(302) 741-2721


Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement Launches “Buyers Beware” Billboard Campaign to Reduce Underage Drinking and Sales

For high school students everywhere, prom and graduation are two of the most highly anticipated events of the year. We want this time of year to be a time of celebration not tragedy. That’s why the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement (DATE) is rolling out a statewide billboard prevention and awareness campaign, “Buyers Beware”, to remind all citizens that purchasing or providing alcohol to minors is not only wrong – it is against the law and can result in hefty fines and jail time.

Over the next 4 weeks, the Buyers Beware Billboard campaign will make more than 875,000 impressions via 10 strategically located billboards throughout all 3 counties in Delaware. “I am asking my fellow Delawarean’s to join me in making a new or renewed commitment to being responsible and to never be a party to underage drinking,” said John Yeomans, Director of the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement.

Statistics show that Prom-Graduation season (April, May and June) is the most dangerous time for teens. One-third of the alcohol-related traffic fatalities involving teens each year occur during those months. Underage drinking plays a substantial role in all three leading causes of death among teens which are unintentional injuries (including motor vehicle fatalities and drowning), suicides, and homicides.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) there are approximately 11 million underage drinkers in the United States. By the age of 18, more than 70 percent of teens have had a drink. And where are these youths obtaining their alcohol? Teens get alcohol with a wink and a nod from the adults they know such as their parents, adult friends and older siblings. Sadly, adults in our community are contributing to the problem.

Nationally in 2009, 33 percent of all 15 to 20 year old drivers who were killed in crashes had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .01 or higher; 28% had a BAC level of .08 or higher. In that same year in Delaware 23% of all alcohol related traffic fatalities were involving drivers under 25 years of age. These facts are both tragic and unacceptable. Adults purchasing or obtaining and providing alcohol to minors leads to these adverse consequences. Underage drinking is not a rite of passage and shouldn’t be deemed as “cool”.

The Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement encourages citizens to report underage drinking or sales by calling our Anonymous Tip Line at 1-800-EYES-EARS (1-800-393-7327) or via the internet by visiting www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

Funding for this billboard campaign has been provided by the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

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Media Contact:
John Yeomans, Director
john.yeomans@delaware.gov
(302) 741-2719