The Rehoboth Beach Police Department has achieved a significant milestone by receiving state accreditation from Delaware’s Police Accreditation Commission, officials announced April 14th.
The recognition came after DPAC evaluators conducted thorough on-site examinations of the department, analyzed policies and procedures for compliance with state standards, and interviewed personnel throughout the organization.
The Delaware Police Officer Standards and Training Commission made the announcement, noting that Rehoboth Beach joined three other departments – Clayton, Dewey, and Harrington police agencies – in earning this distinction.
Chief Keith Banks expressed his pride in the accomplishment, stating: “I’m incredibly proud of everyone in the City of Rehoboth Beach Police Department for earning this accreditation. This achievement belongs to every officer and staff member. I want to give special recognition to Lieutenant Mark Sweet and Captain Jaime Riddle for leading this effort on behalf of our entire department. Our team consistently upholds the highest standards of professionalism and dedication, and they make the City proud every day.”
City Manager Taylour Tedder also praised the department’s efforts, saying: “This is well‑earned recognition for the Rehoboth Beach Police Department. Our city is in excellent hands with our dedicated officers and staff, and we are deeply grateful for their high level of service and commitment.”
The Delaware Police Accreditation Commission, established in 2008, works to enhance law enforcement professionalism by creating professional benchmarks and providing formal evaluation processes for police agencies across the state. The accreditation process enhances officer and community safety, tackles high-risk administrative concerns, boosts operational effectiveness through policy creation, strengthens department credibility, draws top employment candidates, and builds public confidence.
Delaware law requires all police departments to obtain accreditation by 2028 under House Bill 206, with agencies currently working toward this goal through the POST/DPAC division of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Police departments in Delaware vary in size from single officers to 730 sworn personnel. Larger agencies often pursue national accreditation through The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, while smaller departments with limited resources and staffing can achieve state-level certification. Currently, 72 percent of Delaware’s police agencies have earned accreditation status.
The Police Officer Standards and Training Commission operates under the Department of Safety and Homeland Security and establishes standards and training protocols for Delaware law enforcement officers. POST works to enhance officer professionalism and conduct by establishing recruit qualifications, educational and training requirements, and instructional standards. The commission also advises the Delaware Police Accreditation Commission, creates guidelines for local oversight boards, and investigates potential officer misconduct related to certification.
