DSP Lt. Col. Melissa A. Zebley Named Superintendent Of Delaware State Police

STATE OF DELAWARE

DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY

P.O. BOX 818

DOVER, DELAWARE 19903-0818

NEWS RELEASE

Date: July 9, 2020

Contact: DSHS Wendy Hudson – (302) 382-7978

DSP MCpl. Melissa Jaffe – (302) 382-2136

DSP LT. COL. MELISSA A. ZEBLEY NAMED

SUPERINTENDENT OF DELAWARE STATE POLICE

Today Governor John Carney joined Kimberly Chandler, Acting Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security, to announce the appointment of Lt. Col. Melissa A. Zebley as Superintendent of the Delaware State Police.

Lt. Col. Zebley, 50, assumes command of the State Police following the retirement of Col. Nathaniel McQueen Jr. Lt. Col. Zebley, a 28-year veteran of the State Police, is currently responsible for Internal Affairs, Information Support Services and Planning. She joined the Executive Staff in 2010 at the rank of Major with oversight of the Budget, Training Academy and Human Resource sections. In 2013, she transitioned to the role of Operations Officer overseeing New Castle County Patrol Troops and Criminal Investigations, as well as the statewide Traffic Section. Her former assignments include patrol Trooper, Training Academy Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Public Information Officer, Fiscal Executive Officer, and Troop Commander.

Lt. Colonel Zebley has also served as the Officer in Charge of the Honor Guard and as a member of the Division’s Critical Incident Stress Management Team.

“Lt. Col. Zebley has a tremendous track record of leadership at the Delaware State Police, and is the right person to lead our largest police agency” said Governor Carney. “A 28-year veteran of the State Police, Lt. Col. Zebley has the trust of community leaders not only in New Castle County, but up and down our state. I know she will build on the good work of Colonel McQueen to keep Delaware safe and continue to establish trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Thank you to Lt. Col. Zebley for taking on this important challenge.”

“Having served in almost every leadership position within the Delaware State Police, Lt. Col. Zebley not only possesses the qualifications, skills and experience to lead the State’s largest police agency but has also earned the respect of her fellow troopers and the Delaware law enforcement community. She has demonstrated the temperament, demeanor, and wisdom necessary to navigate the challenges in policing today and is committed to serving the citizens of our State, said Acting Secretary Chandler.

“I am humbled and honored to serve as the 26th Superintendent of the Delaware State Police. I thank Governor Carney and Acting Secretary Chandler for their faith in me to lead this division of professional and dedicated members. I pledge to serve with the dignity and honor befitting the high standards of the agency,” Lt. Col. Zebley said. “The Delaware State Police remain steadfast in our mission of service to all citizens and will continue on our course of community collaboration and progressive policing.”

Lt. Col. Zebley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Delaware and a Master of Science degree in the Administration of Justice from Wilmington University. She is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and a graduate of the 235th Session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy. In addition, she is a graduate of the Anti-Defamation League’s Advanced Training School course on Extremist and Terrorist Threats and is currently attending the 43rd Session of the FBI’s National Executive Institute.

Lt. Col. Zebley is an instructor for the Delaware Leadership Development Program, a three-week school targeted for first line supervisors. Since 2003, she has served as an adjunct faculty member at Wilmington University, teaching in the undergraduate and graduate Criminal Justice Programs.

Lt. Col. Zebley is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, Mid-Atlantic Association of Women in Law Enforcement, and the FBI National Academy Associates. She was the 2015 Chapter President of the FBINAA Maryland/Delaware Chapter. She is currently the Chair of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) Law Enforcement Standing Committee.

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Governor Carney Signs Executive Order on Law Enforcement Policy

Order bans chokeholds at state law enforcement agencies, requires additional de-escalation training, and additional transparency around use-of-force policies

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Thursday signed Executive Order #41, which bans the use of chokeholds by State of Delaware law enforcement agencies, including Delaware State Police and Capitol Police; increases community engagement; requires additional de-escalation and implicit bias training; and increases the availability of crisis intervention services for law enforcement officers.

Governor John Carney on Thursday signed Executive Order #41, which bans the use of chokeholds by State of Delaware law enforcement agencies, including Delaware State Police and Capitol Police; increases community engagement; requires additional de-escalation and implicit bias training; and increases the availability of crisis intervention services for law enforcement officers.

Governor Carney’s order also will formally prohibit executive branch law enforcement agencies from sharing mugshots of minors, except when public safety is at risk; require transparency around use-of-force protocols; and mandate participation in the national use-of-force database.

Agencies subject to this order include Delaware State Police, Capitol Police, Department of Correction, Natural Resources Police, and Delaware Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement.

Click here to read Governor Carney’s Executive Order #41.

“Talk is cheap. It’s on us to make progress,” said Governor Carney. “As I said last week, these are first steps that we can take administratively to improve the relationship between law enforcement agencies and communities of color in Delaware. I know that the General Assembly will build on these steps, and I thank legislators for their partnership. Thank you to Colonel McQueen and the law enforcement officers of the Delaware State Police for their leadership on this important issue. I know law enforcement in Delaware. The vast majority of officers here and across our country serve for the right reasons – to protect and strengthen their communities. They want meaningful change. Let’s keep working together to move forward.”

Governor Carney’s Executive Order #41 will make the following changes:

Use of Chokeholds: No law enforcement officer in the Executive Branch shall knowingly or intentionally use a chokehold, kneehold or other similar acts of applying force or pressure against the trachea, windpipe, carotid artery, side of the neck, or jugular vein of another person unless that officer reasonably believes that the use of such force is necessary to protect the life of a civilian or a law enforcement officer and other applicable control methods have been exhausted.
Availability of policies and protocols: Any use of force policies and protocols for law enforcement officers shall be posted on the agency’s website, subject to redactions necessary for the limited purpose of avoiding disclosure of tactical information that may jeopardize officer or public safety.
Publication of Photos: A photo or mugshot of a child 17 years of age or younger arrested or suspected of committing a crime shall not be released or published by law enforcement on a publicly maintained social media page or website unless that child is charged with a violent felony, as that term is defined in Title 11 of the Delaware Code, and release of the photo or mugshot is necessary to protect the public’s safety. Law enforcement may release the photo of a child 17 years of age or younger if required to do so by applicable state law.
Community Engagement: At the direction of the Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security for the State of Delaware (DSHS), DSP shall increase its community outreach unit by designating and training troopers as community outreach liaisons so that each Troop throughout the state will have a community outreach officer assigned to it. The community outreach troopers shall receive training on building relationships with residents and community-based organizations and meet with residents and organizations regularly to discuss how to better serve their communities and make it easier for those residents and organizations to communicate with law enforcement.
Participation and Utilization of National Databases: DSHS law enforcement officers shall continue to participate in the National Use of Force Data Collection effort in order to assist law enforcement and the community to identify and understand the totality of, and trends associated with, use-of-force incidents. In addition, DSHS law enforcement officers, working with the Council on Police Training, shall participate in the Police Officer Decertification Database to aid law enforcement agencies in making informed hiring decisions to prevent officers who have been terminated for cause from being hired in Delaware.
Training Requirements: The following trainings shall be conducted for law enforcement officers on at least an annual basis:
1. Implicit bias training, including scenario based training and other methods of evidence-based experiential training, engaging community members with special expertise, to address implicit bias and its role in the criminal justice system; and
2. De-escalation training, including a use-of-force continuum or matrix, to demonstrate the use of less or more force in an arrest situation, and reinforce exhausting all other reasonable alternatives before resorting to deadly force.
Increase crisis intervention services: In collaboration with the Behavioral Health Consortium of Delaware, all law enforcement officers shall have access to crisis intervention training and services to improve appropriate response to individuals suffering from a behavioral health crisis.

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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter March 2-8

Weekly reminder: Shad harvest prohibited in Nanticoke River and its tributaries

DOVER, Del. – DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources, promote boating safety, and protect the public through outreach, education and law enforcement. To help achieve public compliance with laws and regulations, officers from March 2-8 made 1,351 public contacts and responded to 49 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Officers issued a total of 60 citations for the following listed violations related to:

Wildlife Conservation: Hunt on state refuge, possess/transport unlawfully taken antlerless deer, wanton waste of game animal, trespassing after hours on state wildlife area*, and operate motor vehicle off the established roadway on state wildlife area*.

Fisheries Conservation: No Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number, unlicensed fishing, and fishing in trout pond before opening day.

Boating and Boating Safety: No boating safety card and no boat ramp certificate.

Public Safety: Possession of a firearm by person prohibited, possession of firearm ammunition by person prohibited, possession of a deadly weapon by person prohibited, possession of drug paraphernalia non-marijuana related, possession of heroin, possession of synthetic marijuana (spice), possession of marijuana tier 1 quantity, and possession of drug paraphernalia marijuana related – civil.

Other: Fugitive from another state, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, fail to have motor vehicle insurance in possession, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters, and boaters who comply with Delaware’s fishing, hunting, and boating laws and regulations. The public can report fish, wildlife, and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580 or using the free smartphone DENRP Tip app downloaded from the Google Play Store or iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations can be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030, going online to http://de.gov/ogt, or using the DENRP Tip app; Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind both recreational and commercial anglers that American shad and hickory shad harvest is prohibited on the Nanticoke River and its tributaries. In other waterways, American shad and hickory shad can be harvested all year, with no size limit, and a daily limit of 10 in any combination. For more information on shad visit this link.

About DNREC

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The Division of Fish & Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 65,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, brooke.mitchell@delaware.gov

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Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Feb. 24 – March 1

Weekly reminder: DU Greenwing Conservation Festival set for April 4

DOVER, Del. – DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources, promote boating safety, and protect the public through outreach, education and law enforcement. To help achieve public compliance with laws and regulations, officers from Feb. 24 – March 1 made 1,812 public contacts and responded to 34 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Officers issued a total of 12 citations for the following listed violations related to:

Wildlife Conservation: Possession of unlawfully taken game bird, hunting snow goose without required conservation order season permit, possession of prohibited lead shot while hunting migratory waterfowl, possession of prohibited lead shot size while hunting migratory waterfowl, wanton waste of a game animal, and hunting illegally on Sunday.

Other: Operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area*, conspiracy 3rd, theft under $1,500, and selling stolen property under $1,500.
*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

The majority of anglers, hunters, and boaters comply with Delaware’s fishing, hunting, and boating laws and regulations. The public can report fish, wildlife, and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580 or using the free smartphone DENRP Tip app from the Google Play Store or iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations can be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030, going online to de.gov/ogt, or with the DENRP Tip app; Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and other Division of Fish & Wildlife staff will be attending the Ducks Unlimited Greenwing Conservation Festival on April 4 at Fish & Wildlife’s Owens Station complex near Greenwood. The Division will feature numerous displays and activities, including the Operation Game Theft trailer; a marine patrol vessel; an archery trailer; hunter education, youth Sport Fishing Tournament, and waterfowl and trout stamp displays; “Take-A-Kid Fishing” casting activities; and a K-9 demonstration. New this year is a turkey checking station where youth hunters can register wild turkeys harvested from offsite locations during the April 4 Youth Turkey Hunting Day. For more information, click Greenwing Conservation Festival. Mark your calendar.

About DNREC

Media contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, brooke.mitchell@delaware.gov

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DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Feb. 17-23

Reminder for the week: Youth Academy registration open

DOVER, Del. – DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources, promote boating safety, and protect the public through outreach, education, and law enforcement. To help achieve public compliance with laws and regulations, officers from Feb. 17-23 made 1,376 public contacts and responded to 53 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Officers issued a total of 27 citations for the following listed violations related to:

Wildlife Conservation: Failure to register antlerless deer.

Fisheries Conservation: No Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number.

Public Safety: Possession of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited, possession of marijuana – civil, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to stop at a stop sign.

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area*, operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area*, and operating an unregistered motor vehicle.

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

Are you AWARE?
The 2020 Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Youth Academies are scheduled!

The Youth Academies are free, one-week programs designed to teach youth about protecting Delaware’s natural resources and nurturing the relationship between law enforcement officers and the community. Two Basic Youth Academies are offered this summer: June 22-26 in Kent County and July 13-17 in New Castle County. Applications will be accepted through Friday, May 29, 2020. For more information and to submit your application visit Youth Academy.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DEFWNRPolice/.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Media contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913, or 302-382-7167

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