Delaware State Police
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Delaware State Police (DSP) is a division of the Delaware Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security and is responsible for traffic regulation and law enforcement across the state of Delaware, especially in areas underserved by local police departments. The DSP is headquartered in the capital Dover, Delaware.
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[edit] History
Before the Delaware State Police was formed in 1923, the first traffic law enforcement officers were called the "Highway Traffic Police". Started in 1919, the HTP consisted of one officer whose sole function was to patrol the Philadelphia Pike (present day U.S. Route 13) near Wilmington. In the following year the force was increased to three men and three motorcycles. From 1920 to 1923 these men served directly under the State Highway Commission.
Thoughts on the topic of forming a State Police organization for the First State had been recorded as early as 1906. Although interest existed, little, if any, positive steps were taken until the State Highway Commission was formed in 1917. As construction of paved highways was begun and registered motor vehicles began to rise, a need to regulate and maintain safety soon became apparent. On April 23, 1923, the General Assembly, at the request of the State Highway Department, enacted two laws that created the Delaware State Police. This date marks the official organization of the present law enforcement organization.
[edit] Present-day DSP
Currently, the DSP operates out of eight barracks known as "troops", not including the headquarters. Each county has one troop that is shared between patrol (Uniformed) and detective (CIU) units. In New Castle County the shared troop is Troop 2 in Bear, in Kent County, Troop 3 at Woodside, and in Sussex County, Troop 4 in Georgetown. In addition, New Castle County also has three "uniformed" troops, Troop 1 located at Penny Hill (near Claymont), Troop 6 at Price's Corner (near Elsmere) and Troop 9 in Odessa. A sub-station of Troop 1 is located on the grounds of the Brandywine Town Center in the Brandywine Hundred section of New Castle County. Sussex County has two "Uniformed" troops, Troop 7, located in Lewes, and Troop 5, located in Bridgeville.
The DSP also operates several special units/locations around the state, including aviation units in Georgetown and Middletown, and a weigh station on U.S. Rt. 13 at Blackbird.
In Kent and Sussex Counties, the Delaware State Police serve as the primary law-enforcement agency for the majority of the county, having primary jurisdiction in all areas not in incorporated municipalities, along with smaller municipalities without their own law enforcement agency. In New Castle County the Delaware State Police has primary jurisdiction over commercial areas and state and federal highways, including I-95. The New Castle County Police have primary jurisdiction in other areas not contained within municipalities.
Additionally, the Delaware State Police also provides dispatching services to municipal agencies which do not have their own dispatch desk in all three counties; New Castle County Police and several of the larger cities in the state provide their own dispatch services.
[edit] Units/Sections
Like other state police agencies, the Delaware State Police has several sub-divisions specializing in addressing particular crimes or security needs.
Full-time Units
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[edit] Uniforms
Since the 1950's, members of the DSP have worn uniforms similar in appearance to that of the U.S. Army's Army Blue uniform, but with distinct differences. The most distinctive uniform is the Class A Dress uniform consisting of a dark navy blue roll collar coat with powder blue shoulder epaulets and "French" sleeve cuffs, a powder blue long-sleeve shirt and black necktie, powder blue breeches with a gold stripe on each leg, black knee-high riding boots similar to those worn by motorcycle officers, a black Sam Browne belt with cross-strap and duty gear, and a silver DSP badge. Currently, DSP troopers wear a dark navy blue version campaign hat like that worn by their state police counterparts in Pennsylvania, but in the 1950's, they wore a tan cavalry-style hat like those worn by troopers in both the Maryland State Police and New York State Police.
The winter Class B uniform, worn between November and April, is identical to the Class A uniform, except that the roll collar coat is omitted – a reefer jacket replaces it for duty wear, and the Sam Browne duty belt has the cross-strap omitted.
The summer Class B uniform, worn between April and November, uses the same color scheme as that of the Winter Class A uniform, but is reversed, with a long-sleeve powder blue shirt and black necktie worn with regular navy blue gold-striped trousers, Sam Browne duty belt and dark navy blue Smokey Bear hat. The Class C uniform, worn only during the summer months, is identical to the summer Class B uniform, except that the necktie is omitted and a short-sleeve version of the long-sleeve shirt is worn.
Unlike the neighboring Pennsylvania State Police, which wear contrasting uniforms, DSP troopers wear identical uniforms, except for officers at the rank of Sergeant and up, who are allowed to wear a gold-colored badge. Officers from Lieutenant up to Colonel are permitted to wear a white shirt in place of the powder blue shirt, but this has fallen out of practice in recent years. The DSP patch bears the seal of the State of Delaware in the center.
[edit] Mission statement
"To enhance the quality of life for all Delaware citizens and visitors by providing professional, competent and compassionate law enforcement services".
[edit] See also
[edit] External link
[edit] External links
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State of Delaware Dover (capital) |
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| Topics |
Counties | Hundreds | Cities/Towns/Villages | Rivers | Transportation | Landmarks |
| Regions |
Delaware Coast | Delaware Valley | Cape Region |
| Cities |
Delaware City | Dover | Harrington | Lewes | Milford | Newark | New Castle | Rehoboth Beach | Seaford | Wilmington |
| Counties |
Kent | New Castle | Sussex |
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| Federal District | District of Columbia |
| Insular areas | American Samoa • Guam • Northern Mariana Islands • Puerto Rico • U.S. Virgin Islands |
