DELAWARE STATE POLICE OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Captain Sean Moriarty
The Office of Professional Responsibility consists of an Internal Affairs function and an Inspections/Accreditation function. The Division’s policies and standard operating procedures are maintained by the Inspections/Accreditation office. Internal Affairs investigations frequently stem from allegations relating to these same policies and procedures. By merging these two sections under the command of one Section Chief, necessary revisions to the Division’s policies and procedures are identified and implemented through a more timely process. Conflicts with CALEA standards are also readily identified and addressed.
Internal Affairs
2008 Internal Affairs Summary to the Public
2007 Internal Affairs Summary to the Public
The citizens of Delaware hold the Delaware State Police in high regard. Members of the Delaware State Police must set the tone for all law enforcement agencies in the state. The public expects members of the Division to act with integrity, reliability and trustworthiness. To accomplish and maintain the esteem placed upon its members, Delaware State Troopers must acknowledge, uphold, and revere the core values of the Delaware State Police: Honor, Integrity, Courage, Loyalty, Attitude, Discipline and Service.
The citizens we serve have an expectation that those who are vested with the responsibility of enforcing the laws of this state, as well as civilian employees, will hold fast to the standards of professional and individual conduct to preserve the respect, confidence and cooperation of society.
The public image of the Delaware State Police is, to a large degree, determined by the way the Internal Affairs Office responds to allegations of misconduct of its employees. The Internal Affairs Office is an essential function designed to maintain professional conduct, integrity, and discipline of each employee. Internal Affairs is responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct and conducting investigations to ensure compliance with Divisional rules and regulations and the Code of Ethics. The Internal Affairs Office is readily accessible to citizens via telephone, letter, Internet, or in person. Captain Paul E. Smentkowski, Lieutenant John Slank, Lieutenant Melissa Hukill and Sergeant Alexander Peterson III are assigned to the office.
In addition to its primary duties, the Internal Affairs Office maintains an active role in training supervisors and recruits. Supervisors are instructed on the proper handling of citizen complaints and investigative protocol in accordance with the Law Enforcement Officer’s Bill of Rights. Recruits are also acquainted with the function of Internal Affairs, including an overview of rules, regulations and job performance standards.
In 2008, the Internal Affairs Office investigated 21 citizen’s complaints and 16 administrative complaints.
Staff Inspections and Accreditation
The Staff Inspections and Accreditation Office’s primary responsibility is to assure that the Division’s policies and procedures comply with well over 400 standards established by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
CALEA was formed to establish a body of standards designed to promote “Best Practices” in policing by: (1) increasing agencies’ capabilities to prevent and control crime; (2) increasing agency effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of law enforcement services; (3) increasing cooperation and coordination with other law enforcement agencies and with other agencies of the criminal justice system; and (4) increasing citizen and employee confidence in the goals, objectives, policies, and practices of the agency. In addition, the Commission was formed to develop an accreditation process that provides agencies an opportunity to voluntarily demonstrate that they meet an established set of professional standards.
In 1988 the Delaware State Police became the first department in Delaware to attain accreditation by CALEA. This is an on-going commitment consisting of a self-assessment, mock assessment, and a comprehensive on-site inspection by three CALEA assessors every three years. During the on-site inspection by the assessors, the Division must demonstrate compliance with all of the standards, at every facility, and be able to prove we have complied with all standards during the previous three years. Staffed by Lieutenant John A. Campanella and Sergeant Wendy S. Nichols, the office accomplishes this task by maintaining files and proofs for each standard, continuously updating written directives, reviewing all new policies for compliance, and conducting troop, vehicle and evidence storage locker inspections.
The Staff Inspections and Accreditation Office facilitated personnel, vehicle and administrative inspections during the last quarter of 2008. Troopers, wearing their winter Class A uniforms, stood in formation at the respective troops and were inspected by Colonel Thomas MacLeish. As in years past, the Troopers went above and beyond to ensure that their uniforms, vehicles and facilities were in top form.
Utilizing the Division’s advancing technology and recommendations from the CALEA Assessment Team, the Division’s Policies and Procedures underwent a significant modification making them easier to access and navigate. The old two-part Administrative and Divisional Manuals were combined to form one resource now known as the Divisional Manual. Bookmarks and search features were added to the on-line version to assist in the navigation of the Divisional Manual. In addition, the Inspections Office facilitated the development of one Statewide Patrol Standard Operating Procedure to ensure consistent performance across the state.
- Information obtained from 2008 DSP Annual Report -
