NEW CASTLE, Del. – The Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) Police Department is scheduled for a site-based assessment from July 28-31, 2025. The Department will undergo assessment by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®).  The bi-state agency’s Police Department is seeking its ninth such assessment for Advance Law Enforcement Accreditation since first being accredited in 1996.

The national assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar, but out-of-state agencies and will verify that the DRBA police department complies with CALEA’s rigorous, state-of-the-art standards.  Assessors examine all aspects of the DRBA Police Department’s policies and procedures, administration, operations, and support services to confirm compliance with all departmental directives.  

“The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, visit offices, and accompany officers on patrol to measure and grade our department’s compliance,” said Colonel Wayne E. McFadden, DRBA Police Administrator.  “CALEA’s stamp of approval serves as the benchmark for any law enforcement agency who want to adopt best practices.  This voluntary process carries with it the highly prized recognition of professional excellence in law enforcement.”

As part of this site-based assessment, agency personnel and members of the public are invited to offer comments at CALEA’s public comment portal.  If an individual is unable to access the portal but would like to provide comments to the CALEA assessor, he/she may do so by writing to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA), 13575 Heathcote Blvd, Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 20155 or email calea@calea.org  

Comments must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA standards or address your interactions with the Department.  A copy of the CALEA Standards can be accessed at Law Enforcement Standards. 

Once re-accredited, the police department must submit annual reports to CALEA attesting to its continued compliance with those standards. At the end of a four-year period, the Delaware River and Bay Authority Police Department will seek re-accreditation once again. For more information on accreditation, please access the CALEA website at https://www.calea.org/ 

About the Delaware River and Bay Authority 
The DRBA, a bi-state governmental agency created by Compact in 1962, owns and operates the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May- Lewes Ferry, and the Forts Ferry Crossing.  The DRBA also manages two airports in New Jersey (Millville Executive Airport and Cape May Airport) and three in Delaware (Wilmington Airport, Civil Air Terminal and Delaware Airpark). All DRBA operating revenues are generated through bridge, ferry and airport facilities.  For more information, visit www.drba.net.