DELAWARE STATE POLICE PLANNING SECTION

Captain John A. Campanella

During 2009, the Delaware State Police Planning and Research Section continued to play an important role in the transformation of the Division from a traditional, reactive police agency to an intelligence-led public service agency. Members of the section analyzed criminal and traffic related data and provided the resulting findings to members of the Delaware State Police Executive Staff and a variety of organizations within and outside the Division. The information provided was used to make informed decisions regarding the allocation of human and material resources, budgetary requests and allocations, and policy decisions regarding the operation of the Division.

The section continued to provide support to individual troops and sections and the Division as a whole by facilitating events and meetings such as the Annual Awards Ceremony, Civilian Appreciation, DSP Chaplain’s Memorial, and the DSP Memorial Service. These events honor those who serve the citizens of the state of Delaware in an exemplary fashion and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the state of Delaware. The section also facilitated the Troopers’ Forum, Sergeants’ Forum and Civilian Forum. All forums allowed the DSP Executive Staff to meet with those troopers and civilians who daily strive to accomplish the mission of the State Police and gain valuable input into the operation and future direction of the Division.

The members of the section continued to serve on a wide variety of councils and committees and serve the division by performing those functions not traditionally performed by other troops or sections. Members of the section responded to surveys from other law enforcement agencies and conducted research in the areas of immigration, land population, DNA analysis, and cost saving measures. This research into law enforcement topics allows the division to provide better service to the citizens and visitors of the state and provide a safer work environment for Delaware troopers.

The Planning and Research Section is staffed by two sworn DSP members and one civilian DSP member. Sergeant Jennifer Griffin was instrumental in each and every aspect of the Planning and Research Section’s projects. One project Sergeant Griffin received special recognition for was the Business Impact Analysis Project (BIA). Sgt. Griffin spent countless hours on this project and spearheaded the first phase of this multi level project. Sgt. Griffin also oversaw the writing and reporting of numerous grants for varies units with in the division, totaling over $3,000,000.

Ms. Tammy Hyland, the sole DSP management/data analyst, works closely with the division’s Traffic Control Section and the Delaware Office of Highway Safety. Monthly, Ms. Hyland conducted analysis of traffic crash and enforcement data and provided information to members of both groups to aid in their efforts to make Delaware’s roadways safer. Additionally, Ms. Hyland conducted monthly and annual analysis of troopers’ activity and provided the resulting finding to the Delaware State Police Executive Staff to aid in their attempts to properly allocate staffing and to secure additional funding for employees or materials. The Planning and Research Unit underwent a change in leadership in December 2009. Captain Glenn Dixon was transferred to Troop 7 as the Troop Commander and newly promoted Captain Mike Reader took over as the Director of the Planning and Research Section.

The members of the Planning and Research Section played an important role in the success of the Delaware State Police in 2009 and look forward to the challenges that will be presented in 2010.

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. Personnel accomplish this task by maintaining files and proofs for each standard, continuously updating written directives, reviewing all new policies for compliance, and by conducting troop, vehicle, and evidence storage locker inspections.

In the summer of 2009, the Delaware State Police underwent significant personnel changes, most prominently with the appointment of a new superintendent, Colonel Robert Coupe and his Executive Staff. As a result of those changes, the Staff Inspections and Accreditation Office did not facilitate a formal inspection of personnel or vehicles in 2009.

In 2009, the Section was staffed by Lieutenant John A. Campanella, Sergeant Wendy S. Nichols, and Master Corporal Carrie Border.

- Information obtained from 2009 DSP Annual Report -