Four Delaware Police Agencies Earn State Accreditation

April 15, 2026/Joe Ciccanti

The Delaware Police Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) has announced that four police departments—including the Dewey Beach Police Department, the Rehoboth Beach Police Department, the Harrington Police Department, and the Clayton Police Department—earned 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. The Department of Safety and Homeland Security emphasizes that the milestone represents a significant step forward for public safety in Delaware and that the initial state accreditation of these four police agencies reflects a strong commitment to professionalism, accountability, and excellence in law enforcement.
 
Rehoboth Beach Police Department
 
Dewey Beach Police Department
 
Harrington Police Department
 
Clayton Police Department
 
Additional Information from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security:

 

DPAC, formed in 2008, is committed to advancing law enforcement professionalism through the establishment of professional standards and the administration of formal mechanisms that enable Delaware Police agencies to be systematically measured, evaluated, and updated. Accreditation improves officer and public safety, addresses high-risk management issues, promotes operational efficiency through policy development, enhances agency reputation, attracts the best-qualified candidates for employment, and increases public trust and confidence.

 

House Bill 206 mandates that all police agencies be accredited by 2028, and each is currently proactively working towards state accreditation through the POST/DPAC section of the DSHS. Delaware police agencies range from 1 to 730 sworn officers. Several larger agencies receive national accreditation through The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®). While most of the small agencies do not have the funding or the personnel to participate in CALEA®, they can still achieve state accreditation. Currently, 72 percent of all Delaware police agencies are now accredited. 

 

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