Led by Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr., the Delaware State Police Community Outreach Unit has established Community Focus Groups in each county working in collaboration with citizens, community leaders, and clergy members. The Focus Groups will meet to measure the effectiveness of existing community-based programs and explore new and exciting opportunities as they relate with community outreach efforts within the Delaware State Police. The meetings will bring police and community members together to discuss community issues in an effort to enhance transparency and trust with the communities we protect and serve.

“One of the most effective ways to increase police effectiveness is to engage the community. As The Delaware State Police continues work to increase trust and respect; collaboration and partnerships with our communities is essential.”

Colonel Nathaniel McQueen, Jr.

Superintendent of the Delaware State Police

The purpose of this initiative is to gain a diverse perspective from each person and to better understand relationships between law enforcement and members of the community. Members of the group will meet to candidly discuss challenges both residents and the police face and seek the best solutions. We encourage members of communities to come together to have proactive discussions on difficult issues. Through better communication we can build better relationships.

The Delaware State Police Community Outreach Unit hosted Focus Group discussions in all three counties in October of 2016. The Executive Staff, Public Information Officers and Community Outreach Unit Members for each respective county met with community leaders, political members and clergy members within their county.

On Monday, October 03, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. the Delaware State Police Sussex County Focus Group met at the Emergency Operations Center in Georgetown. Then on Monday October 24, 2016 the Delaware State Police Kent County Focus Group met at Troop 3 in Camden, at 10:00 a.m. and The New Castle County Delaware State Police Focus Group met at 6:00 p.m. at Troop 2 in Glasgow. The discussions centered on the effectiveness of current community outreach programs within the Delaware State Police. The preliminary findings for these meetings were very productive.

The groups were well informed and aware of the recent events which have changed the national climate towards the law enforcement community and seemed enthusiastic to be a part of the solution to make positive change.

The selected members of the County Focus Groups (New Castle, Kent and Sussex) will meet quarterly as scheduled by the Community Outreach Unit for each county. We are confident the focus groups will provide extraordinary ideas and will offer insight through valuable perspectives and diverse viewpoints.

It is our hope that we learn through continuous feedback from members of the group. We are committed to improving our current programs and with the assistance of the members discover new opportunities to enhance community police relations.

“We support the Delaware State Police in its efforts to proactively engage our citizens and recognize the importance of transparency and gaining input from the communities we serve. Working with the communities we serve strengthens our position of being a service provider to the community.” 

Secretary James Mosley, Department of Safety and Homeland Security

Released: 112216 1441

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