General Information

Delaware Police Accreditation Commission (DPAC)

The Delaware Police Accreditation Commission (DPAC) was created and developed as a result of the efforts of the Delaware Police Chiefs’ Council to improve the delivery of police services to the citizens of Delaware. Approved on May 22, 2008, HB 347 established the DPAC in 11 Del. C 9701. The DPAC is responsible for providing policy level direction and drafting and implementing state level police accreditation standards for matters related to accreditation.

To that end, it shall:

Develop a statewide police accreditation program.
Develop standards for the police accreditation program to ensure consistency of police operations statewide.
Promote cooperation among state, municipal, university, and Delaware River and Bay Authority police agencies in addressing statewide accreditation needs in Delaware.
Provide recommendations to the Governor and the Delaware General Assembly, when appropriate, concerning issues related to state level police accreditation standards in Delaware.

The Police Chiefs’ Council adopted over 100 standards related to professional policing and those standards have been approved by the DPAC. The DPAC is active in its mission to advance law enforcement professionalism through the establishment of professional standards and the administration of a formal mechanism by which Delaware agencies can be systematically measured, evaluated, and updated.

Who are we?

The DPAC consists of 12 members representing; The Attorney General, The President Pro Tem of the State Senate, The Speaker of the House of Representatives, The Chairperson, Delaware Police Chiefs' Council, The Superintendent, Delaware State Police, The Colonel of the New Castle County Police, The Chairperson, Sussex County Chiefs organization, The Chairperson, Kent County Chiefs organization, The Chief of Police, City of Dover, The Executive Director, Delaware League of Local Governments, The Chief of the Wilmington Police Department, and the Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The DPAC meets at least two times during the year. Special meetings of the Commission may be called by the Chairperson.

All meeting notices and agendas will be posted on the Public Meeting Calendar. All meeting minutes will be posted on the Public Meeting Calendar as required by Del. Code Title 29 – Chapter 100 § 10004 (f).

What are the Benefits?

OVERALL ACCREDITATION:

Improves officer and public safety
Addresses high risk management issues
Promotes operational efficiency through policy development
Provides a norm for the agency to judge its performance
Provides a basis to correct deficiencies before they become public problems
Requires agencies to commit policies and procedures to writing
Promotes accountability
Verifies compliance
Provides a means of independent evaluation of agency operations
Minimizes an agency’s exposure to liability
Potentially reduces liability insurance costs
Enhances the reputation of the agency, thereby attracting the best qualified candidates for employment
Increases public confidence

Who is Accredited?

Police agencies in Delaware range from 2 to 650 sworn officers. Some of the larger agencies are members of The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., (CALEA^®) and receive national accreditation through that agency. Most of the small agencies do not have the funding required or the personnel resources to participate with CALEA but still want a process whereby they can achieve accreditation.

DPAC ACCREDITED AGENICES INCLUDE: