Delmar Police Department celebrates having 16 full time officers on board

DELMAR, Md – After struggling to fill positions for years Delmar Police are celebrating a full roster.

Chief Ivan Barkley says with 2 new recruits graduating from the academy, they’re up to 16 full-time officers serving the little town too big for one state.

He tells us the move has put them at an all-time high for staffing, and even opened up room for promotions within the department.

On top of that, Chief Barkley tells us the department is applying for a state grant to bring in 2 more officers in the future.

He says getting to this level has been a long time coming, with a combination of state law changes, state grants, and recruiting incentives.

“Right now we feel beyond blessed we are one of the few agencies around fully staffed and we still go candidates coming in,” he said adding “We are able to be out there and be proactive and be seen by the public and it makes your citizens feel safer.”

He tells us the increased staffing is no guarantee that an officer won’t have to respond to a call alone, like Corporal Keith Heacook who lost his life in 2021, but he says it means they are able to be more proactive in the community, as well as be a more visible presence.

“We are dedicated to community policing,” he said adding that he was glad to partake in a promotion ceremony for the new and existing officers.

“We have had a tumultuous few years, we do not always have time to thank these guys for what they do, so I am glad we got that chance,” he said.