Coastal agencies form regional police accountability committee

April 30, 2024 11

Members of the Sussex County Southeast Regional Police Accountability Committee convened in Ocean View April 24 to lay the groundwork for meeting a state mandate to enhance departmental transparency and professionalism.

Chaired by Ocean View resident and attorney Gayle Driver, the group comprises Dewey Beach, Fenwick Island, Ocean View and South Bethany police departments and community members from their respective jurisdictions.

Attendee Patrick Ogden, chief of the University of Delaware Police Department, said House Bill 206 was signed by Gov. John Carney in August and requires all police agencies in Delaware to create PACs and to achieve accreditation.

The goal, Ogden said, is to have an informal process where law enforcement agencies and community members can build relationships and open dialogue.

“It’s all about improving our profession, and ultimately, at the end of the day, that’s what we want to do,” Ogden said. “We want to be the best that we can so we keep our communities safe.”

HB 206 revamped the Council on Police Training by changing its name to the Police Officer Standards and Training Commission, and amending its powers and duties.

POST establishes police officer training standards, oversees officer misconduct allegations and conducts hearings for possible suspensions or decertifications. The agency also advises the Delaware Police Accreditation Commission on standards and issues guidelines for police oversight commissions or boards.

Sean Moriarty, POST director, said agencies could create their own PACs or form a collaboration of participating agencies.

Community committee members must complete 20 hours of training within one year to gain a better understanding of police operations, Moriarty said, and agencies must be state-accredited by July 1, 2028.

Of Delaware law enforcement agencies, 11 are nationally accredited and 31 are not currently accredited in the state or nationally, Moriarty said.

The role of the PAC is not to make laws or discipline officers, he said; its job is to provide advice to police chiefs in their jurisdictions who must comply with POST requirements.

The four agencies all share the Lexipol public safety policy management program, so policies and procedures are consistent among towns, said Ocean View Police Chief Kenneth McLaughlin.

The agencies have a history of collaboration, South Bethany Police Chief Jason Lovins said, noting his town and Ocean View signed a memorandum of understanding four years ago that permitted each town’s officers to be cross-sworn in.

Additionally, Dewey Beach Police Lt. Cliff Dempsey noted officers from all agencies have assisted the town on busy summer weekends.

The committee has plans to develop an informational website. The meeting may be viewed on the Town of Ocean View YouTube page.