Four Delaware Police Agencies Earn State Accreditation

DELAWARE – The Delaware Police Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) has announced the recent certification of four police departments in the state.

The Clayton, Dewey Beach, Harrington, and Rehoboth Beach police departments earned their state accreditation from the Delaware Police Accreditation Commission (DPAC).  As part of the rigorous process, a team of DPAC assessors ensured all accreditation standards were met by completing comprehensive on-site inspections of each agency, reviewing their policies and procedures for compliance, and conducting interviews with department members.

“This milestone represents a significant step forward for public safety in Delaware,” said Joshua Bushweller, Department of Safety and Homeland Security Secretary and DPAC Chair. “The initial state accreditation of these four police agencies reflects a strong commitment to professionalism, accountability, and excellence in law enforcement. I commend each department for their dedication to serving their communities with integrity and for upholding the highest standards.”

In a post to social media, the Dewey Beach Police Department (DBPD) detailed the process, saying they hosted DPAC for an initial on-site accreditation on Feb. 4. The department said assessors conducted a comprehensive inspection of the agency, including a ride-along with an officer, staff interviews, demonstrations, and static displays. The current DBPD facility was inspected for compliance, and the future facility, which remains under construction, was toured as well. On Tuesday, Apr. 14, DPAC awarded the department accreditation for a three-year period.

Delaware House Bill 206 mandates that all police agencies be accredited by 2028.