Delaware River and Bay Authority Police Department

The Delaware River and Bay Authority Police Department is a department of the Delaware River and Bay Authority with jurisdiction in both New Jersey and Delaware. The department is mainly responsible for policing the Delaware Memorial Bridge, but also police New Castle Airport (and the Corporate Complex located adjacent to the New Castle Airport), the Civil Air Terminal at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware Airpark in Dover, the Three Forts Ferry Crossing in Delaware City, the Cape May−Lewes Ferry, Millville Municipal Airport and Cape May Airport.

History

The Department was formed in 1951 as the Delaware Memorial Bridge Police Department. After a compact between the states of Delaware and New Jersey was signed in 1962, the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) was created. The compact authorized the DRBA to operate the Delaware Memorial Bridge and to form its own police force. DRBA officers were given powers of investigation, detention and arrest on the crossings, transportation or terminal facilities and other projects and the approaches thereto, owned, operated, or controlled by the DRBA. As a result of the compact the Delaware Memorial Bridge Police Department was renamed the Delaware River and Bay Authority Police.

In 1964 a ferry service between Cape May, New Jersey, and Lewes, Delaware was begun by the DRBA. In April 1984 a police troop was opened in Cape May establishing a full-time police presence. Another troop was opened in Lewes in January 1986.

The Authority took over airport management and operations at New Castle Airport following a 30-year lease agreement with New Castle County Council in May 1995 and the FAA's approval in June 1995. In November 1996, the department received the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies' national accreditation award. In November 2005, the Department was re-accredited by CALEA.

The Delaware River and Bay Authority Police Department is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

Fallen officers

Since the establishment of the Delaware River and Bay Authority Police Department, 2 officers have died in the line of duty. [ [http://www.odmp.org/agency/972-delaware-river-and-bay-authority-police-department-delaware The Officer Down Memorial Page] ]

See also

* List of law enforcement agencies in New Jersey
* List of law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania

External links

* [http://www.drba.net/police/ Delaware River and Bay Authority Police Department official website]