WHEREAS, the safety of all Delawareans is of paramount importance; and

WHEREAS, municipal, county, university, and Delaware River and Bay Authority police departments, in addition to the Delaware State Police and other State agency police departments, provide a critical role in protecting the lives and property of the citizens of Delaware; and

WHEREAS, many smaller police departments within the State do not have the resources or manpower to complete the rigorous standards issued by the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, the effectiveness of public safety departments would be better served by a statewide accreditation council and standards achievable by a majority of the departments; and

WHEREAS, the citizens who reside in those jurisdictions would benefit by those departments achieving State accreditation and maintaining those standards; and

WHEREAS, the establishment of Delaware standards for a State accreditation program requires statewide coordination and leadership.

76 Del. Laws, c. 231, §  1; 

(a) The Delaware Police Accreditation Commission (hereinafter “the DPAC”) is hereby created.

(b) The DPAC is comprised of the following 12 members serving by virtue of position, or a designee appointed by the member, as follows:

(1) The Attorney General.

(2) The President Pro Tem of the State Senate.

(3) The Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(4) The Chairperson, Delaware Police Chiefs’ Council.

(5) The Superintendent, Delaware State Police.

(6) The Colonel of the New Castle County Police.

(7) The Chairperson, Sussex County Chiefs organization.

(8) The Chairperson, Kent County Chiefs organization.

(9) The Chief of Police, City of Dover.

(10) The Executive Director, Delaware League of Local Governments.

(11) The Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security will serve as Chair, but may not vote unless necessary to break a tie.

(12) The Chief of the Wilmington Police Department.

(c) A designee of a member serves at the pleasure of the member that appointed the designee.

(d) The Chairperson of the DPAC may form subcommittees consistent with the needs of the DPAC to address police accreditation issues including technical support, operations support, and training support. The subcommittees may include individuals who are not members of the DPAC, but who have an interest or expertise in police accreditation issues. Each subcommittee shall be chaired by a member of the DPAC.

76 Del. Laws, c. 231, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  81 Del. Laws, c. 260, § 1;  82 Del. Laws, c. 141, § 8; 

The purpose of the DPAC shall be to provide policy level direction and draft and implement state level police accreditation standards for matters related to accreditation. To that end, it shall:

(1) Develop a statewide police accreditation program.

(2) Develop standards for the police accreditation program to ensure consistency of police operations statewide.

(3) Promote cooperation among state, municipal, university, and Delaware River and Bay Authority police agencies in addressing statewide accreditation needs in Delaware.

(4) Provide recommendations to the Governor and the Delaware General Assembly, when appropriate, concerning issues related to state level police accreditation standards in Delaware.

(5) The DPAC shall operate in accordance with bylaws that it adopts. These bylaws may be amended, supplemented, or repealed by the DPAC in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, Chapter 100 of Title 29.

76 Del. Laws, c. 231, §  1;