Delaware Capitol Police
Encyclopedia
The Delaware Capitol Police was founded as a three-man unit in 1965 to deter vandalism
at the Legislative Hall, Delaware
. The unit was originally known as Capitol Security.
Responsibilities were eventually expanded to cover other state-owned properties in Delaware while the unit remained unfunded (being maintained completed through donations and transfer of equipment from other law enforcement agencies
). Officers initially received no formal training and were armed only with a nightstick
, handcuffs
and tear gas
.
In 1974, Delaware Director of Administrative Services Thomas Murray overhauled the organization, providing policing and firearms training. Having been sworn in as constable
s, the officers now had the power of arrest
on state property. New equipment and uniforms were issued at this time and the organisation became known as the Capitol Security Police.
In 1980 the organization adopted its current name. Arrest powers were expanded statewide in 1982. Further changes in 1995 saw a redesign of the patch
worn by officers and integration of communications systems with the Delaware State Police
in order to improve response times to emergencies.
s, including investigating crimes taking place within the courthouses, responding to security incidents in courtrooms, supplementing security services provided by court bailiff
s, detaining individuals who are found at the courthouse with open capiases, and taking newly-convicted or sentenced defendants into custody pending transfer to the Delaware Department of Correction. The Capitol police also provide security and screening services at the Delaware State Capitol
, ensuring security of the Delaware judiciary, and providing executive protection at the Governor's official residence,
Woodburn.
, two captains, two lieutenants, eight sergeants, twenty-nine sworn officers, twenty-four security officers, a dispatcher, and an administrative specialist
The Northern Operation services:
The Central Operation services:
The Southern Operation services:
Vandalism
Vandalism is the behaviour attributed originally to the Vandals, by the Romans, in respect of culture: ruthless destruction or spoiling of anything beautiful or venerable...
at the Legislative Hall, Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
. The unit was originally known as Capitol Security.
Responsibilities were eventually expanded to cover other state-owned properties in Delaware while the unit remained unfunded (being maintained completed through donations and transfer of equipment from other law enforcement agencies
Law enforcement agency
In North American English, a law enforcement agency is a government agency responsible for the enforcement of the laws.Outside North America, such organizations are called police services. In North America, some of these services are called police while others have other names In North American...
). Officers initially received no formal training and were armed only with a nightstick
Baton (law enforcement)
A truncheon or baton is essentially a club of less than arm's length made of wood, plastic, or metal...
, handcuffs
Handcuffs
Handcuffs are restraint devices designed to secure an individual's wrists close together. They comprise two parts, linked together by a chain, a hinge, or rigid bar. Each half has a rotating arm which engages with a ratchet that prevents it from being opened once closed around a person's wrist...
and tear gas
Lachrymatory agent
Tear gas, formally known as a lachrymatory agent or lachrymator , is a non-lethal chemical weapon that stimulates the corneal nerves in the eyes to cause tears, pain, and even blindness...
.
In 1974, Delaware Director of Administrative Services Thomas Murray overhauled the organization, providing policing and firearms training. Having been sworn in as constable
Constable
A constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions.-Etymology:...
s, the officers now had the power of arrest
Arrest
An arrest is the act of depriving a person of his or her liberty usually in relation to the purported investigation and prevention of crime and presenting into the criminal justice system or harm to oneself or others...
on state property. New equipment and uniforms were issued at this time and the organisation became known as the Capitol Security Police.
In 1980 the organization adopted its current name. Arrest powers were expanded statewide in 1982. Further changes in 1995 saw a redesign of the patch
Embroidered patch
An embroidered patch is a piece of art which is created by using a fabric backing thread and some form of a needle. Embroidered patches can be attached with a pin or can be sewn on, but some of the more modern methods of attachment include both an iron-on and Velcro backing...
worn by officers and integration of communications systems with the Delaware State Police
Delaware State Police
The Delaware State Police 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...
in order to improve response times to emergencies.
Duties
The Delaware Capitol Police have jurisdiction over State-owned properties in all three counties, serving all three branches of government - executive, judicial, and legislative. Most notably, the Capitol Police provide security screening and patrol services in Delaware's courthouseCourthouse
A courthouse is a building that is home to a local court of law and often the regional county government as well, although this is not the case in some larger cities. The term is common in North America. In most other English speaking countries, buildings which house courts of law are simply...
s, including investigating crimes taking place within the courthouses, responding to security incidents in courtrooms, supplementing security services provided by court bailiff
Bailiff
A bailiff is a governor or custodian ; a legal officer to whom some degree of authority, care or jurisdiction is committed...
s, detaining individuals who are found at the courthouse with open capiases, and taking newly-convicted or sentenced defendants into custody pending transfer to the Delaware Department of Correction. The Capitol police also provide security and screening services at the Delaware State Capitol
Delaware State Capitol
The Delaware Legislative Hall is the state capitol building of Delaware located in the state capital of Dover on Court Street. It houses the chambers and offices of the Delaware General Assembly.-Old State House:...
, ensuring security of the Delaware judiciary, and providing executive protection at the Governor's official residence,
Woodburn.
Strength
The Capitol Police consists of 69 npersonnel, these include a ChiefChief of police
A Chief of Police is the title typically given to the top official in the chain of command of a police department, particularly in North America. Alternate titles for this position include Commissioner, Superintendent, and Chief constable...
, two captains, two lieutenants, eight sergeants, twenty-nine sworn officers, twenty-four security officers, a dispatcher, and an administrative specialist
Operations
The Delaware Capitol Police maintains police officers and security officers in all three of Delaware's counties servicing all three branches of state government. DCP headquarters is in the Tatnall Building in Dover. The Delaware Capitol Police also maintains two explosive detection canine teams and a detective.The Northern Operation services:
- New Castle County Courthouse
- Carvel State Building
The Central Operation services:
- Delaware Legislative Hall
- Tatnall Building
- Delaware Governor's MansionDelaware Governor's MansionThe Delaware Governor's Mansion, also known as Woodburn or Governor's House, is the official residence of the Governor of Delaware and the governor's family...
(Woodburn) - Dover Patrol Section (servicing over 80 separate state facilities) Formerly called the Kent County Patrol.
- Kent County CourthouseKent County CourthouseThe Kent County Courthouse is a historic court building at 127 Main Street in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, United States.The courthouse was built in 1803 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.-References:...
- Kent County Family Court
The Southern Operation services:
- Sussex County Courthouse
- Sussex County Family Court
- Sussex County Court of Chancery
Delaware Capitol Security
The DCP employs Capitol Security Officers who operate the magnetometers and x-ray machines at the entrances to the courthouses, Legislative Hall, and the Carvel State Building. They are responsible for the screening, and if necessary the searching, of employees, visitors, and packages entering the courthouse. Capitol Security Officers are trained in the use of magnetometers, x-ray machines, handcuffing, defensive aerosol sprays, and certified in performing CPR, using AED's (automatic external defibrillator), and providing First Aid. Senior Security Officers are Capitol Security Officers who attend one of the seasonal police officer training courses provided by a Delaware police agency under the guidelines established by the Delaware Council on Police Training. Once completed they become Senior Security Officers and after being sworn in are granted the legal authority to detain individuals while in the performance of their official duties. Senior Security Officers are recognized by the dark blue sleeve worn on the epaulets of their uniform shirts.See also
- List of law enforcement agencies in Delaware
- Capitol policeCapitol policeCapitol police in the United States are agencies charged with the provision of security police services for various state agencies, but especially State Legislatures. Capitol police may function as part of the state police or may be an independent agency...