New Law Enforcement Task Force Has First Meeting

DELAWARE–  The new Law Enforcement Accountability Task Force met for the first time today to continue the discussion of Police Reform.

The task force consists of Police officers, advocates, and officials are joining forces to address topics such as use of force and community policing.

“The biggest part of this whole process is education in general– us understanding what society is looking for from us,” says Fred Calhoun, the president of the state of Delaware Fraternal Order Of Police.

Many in Delaware believe law enforcement agencies need to be more transparent and they are hoping the new Law Enforcement Accountability Task Force will help that.

The co-chairs of the Task Force appointed the rest of members on Thursday.

Policy advocate for ACLU, Javonne Rich says that she hopes police departments are more transparent and she hopes certain changes will be made.

“We need demographic information to understand if there are any disparities and what changes need to be made so that certain groups are not being treated unfairly, specifically speaking to the black and brown communities,” says Rich.

The task force consists of four sub-committees, the first is the use of force and imminent danger committee, the second is the Workforce Development, the third is Community Policing and Engagement, and lastly the fourth is Transparency and Accountability.

“So i just hope that everyone out there realizes that this group here is not put together to change the world, if there are issues is to make them better,” says Calhoun.

Officials say they hope this task force will leave no stone unturned and allow them to build upon what other states have done.

We are also told some are very hopeful for this task force and that as it moves forward it will tackle all the discussions and reforms needed to improve trust in law enforcement.

“Police departments and law enforcement agencies should reevaluate use of force and pursuit policies as well as establishing independent review boards that have the power to subpoena and the power to review law enforcement policies,” says Rich.

Georgetown Police Chief R. L. Hughes, Representative Ruth Briggs King, and Senator Brian Pettyjohn all serve on the task force as well.

Everyone is encouraged to comment by emailing LEOTaskForce@delaware.gov